Cape Saint Francis is a great destination for outdoor pursuits in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region.
Location of Eastern Cape Province in South Africa.
This seaside village has just a few hundred year-round residents, each of whom takes great pride in preserving the magnificent natural environment. Visit the four pristine nature reserves located within walking distance of the center of Cape Saint Francis. Swim in the warm, rolling waves of the Indian Ocean and spot marine animals such as southern right whales.
Cape St Francis and St Francis Bay – Two Neighbouring Holiday Towns in the Eastern Cape! Ep 196
The Natural Beauty of Cape Saint Francis
The beautiful beach, backed by the dunes and forests of Seal Bay Local Authority Nature Reserve, curves between the headlands of Seal Point and Shark Point. Spot dolphins throughout the year and humpback and southern right whales from June to November. Swim in the inviting blue water or try surfing or windsurfing in the mid-sized waves. At the southern end of the beach, Johnson’s Pool is a sheltered tidal pool ideal for watching children swim safely.
Exploring Nature Reserves
Walk along the trails of Seal Point Nature Reserve and take a guided tour of the 19th-century Seal Point Lighthouse. Volunteers care for injured marine birds at the nearby Penguin Rescue and Rehabilitation center. Wander amid the coastal fynbos of Irma Booysen Flora Reserve, through which passes a footpath to a blowhole and a shipwreck lookout.
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Seal Point Lighthouse.
Admire endangered dune forests, fynbos and ocean views and see bushbuck, monkeys and otters while hiking in Cape St. Francis Nature Reserve. A 1-hour walk via the reserve connects the village with St. Francis Bay.
Surfing and Water Activities
Surf at Bruce’s Beauties, made famous by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. Take a boat or canoe tour along the Kromme River and around the St. Francis Bay Canals. The next stop of our trip is in St. Francis Bay, which is a paradise for watersports enthusiasts: It boasts white sandy beaches and ideal conditions for surfing.
Historical and Cultural Insights
The town's earliest European history of the area can be traced back to 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias named the bay Golfo dos Pastores, although the bay was also known as Golfo dos Vaqueiros.
The history of people along the coast can be pieced together from evidence as varied as fossil footprints, stone tools and buildings. From Middens (Rubbish heaps) we can learn what people ate by examining old shells, the ashes of their fires and the bones of seals, sea birds, fish, buck and other animals. Shards of pottery and ornaments such as ostrich shell beads give a glimpse into their ancient lives. Some coastal artefacts date back to over one million years.
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St Francis Bay Canals.
Step back a thousand years through the sands of time and join this group of hunter gatherers and herders meeting. South Africa's coast has fed its people for over a hundred thousand years. Many communities still earn their livelihood from the sea. Now there are more people than the coast can support and our marine heritage is under threat.
The Seal Point Lighthouse
Cape St Francis is home to a working lighthouse build in 1878. The lighthouse, called Cape St Francis Lighthouse or Seal Point Lighthouse, was built in 1878 to warn ships of the dangerous reef that stretch more than a kilometre out to the sea. It is the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast standing at a height of 27.75 m. Although it is no longer in full operation, it is open to the public and guided tours of this historic lighthouse are available.
Exploring Surrounding Towns
Not far from Jeffreys Bay lies the charming town of St Francis Bay. It is known for its endemic white houses with either black tile or thatch roofs blending together with the Sardinian-style red tile roofs. Approximately half of the town is built around the largest web of manmade canals and waterways in Africa. Adjacent to St Francis Bay is the pastoral fishing village of Cape St Francis with its outstanding beach and historic Seal Point Lighthouse while Port St Francis is the harbour. Visit Oyster Bay, a town that caters for those who enjoy quiet time and relaxation. Port St Francis includes a commercial and recreational harbour, built to host the squid industry freezing vessels, as well as a small harbour resort village. It lies in a sheltered nook of the bay and provides safe anchorage for the boats, pleasure craft, and oceangoing yachts.
Other nearby locations include:
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- Oyster Bay: What started off as a coastal farm before 1956 has evolved into the small coastal town called Oyster Bay.
- Paradise Beach: Paradise Beach promises a relaxing day on a pristine white beach, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. The name explains it all... it really feels like paradise.
- Aston Bay: Situated between Jeffreys Bay and Paradise Beach, this area offers long stretches of untouched sandy beaches surrounded by protected nature reserves.
- Jeffreys Bay: The home of the perfect wave - situated between Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route is Jeffrey´s Bay, the soul of surfing in SA with a terrain of aloes, perfect points & classic reefs.
- Humansdorp: The pleasant town of Humansdorp can be found en route to Plettenburg Bay from Port Elizabeth.
Practical Information for Visitors
Getting There
The nearest international airport to Cape Saint Francis is in Port Elizabeth, which is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) to the east. Renting a car is a good way to explore this area of the Eastern Cape. Take the Humansdorp exit from the N2. Drive through Humansdorp and follow the R330 to St Francis. St Francis is 76 km from Port Elizabeth. There are two airports located in close proximity to St Francis. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 76 km away. The East London airport is 356 km away.
Accommodation
There are a variety of accommodation options in and around St Francis Bay, including:
- Osbosch Lodge
- Francis, 8 Frank Rd (B&B)
- Cape St Francis Resort
Activities and Tours
A tour group would visit St Francis Bay, Port St Francis and Cape St Francis. From here they would move to Addo; Wildlife Centre, Addo Elephant park, Hitgehiem and Kududu, Crisscross paddling. Adrenalin Addo (Ziplines and other activities); Sundays River Cruise and sand boarding. Finally a stay at the Beach Hotel, Raggy Charters visit to St Croix and ending with a Route 67 tour of the city.
Other activities include:
- St Francis Safaris
- Surfing at Seal Point
- Golf at St Francis Links and Swartenbosch Golf Club in Humansdorp
Dining
Chokka Block is the restaurant with the reputation of the best calamari in the village and fresh fish straight from the fisher boats! Try the Kingklip, a firm white fish typical to South Africa.
Some dining options include:
- Porthole Restaurant And Bar (serves calamari)
- Chokka Block in Port St. Francis
Preservation
Many communities still earn their livelihood from the sea. Now there are more people than the coast can support and our marine heritage is under threat. It is illegal to damage or remove anything from a midden without a permit from the South African Heritage Resources agency. The arrival of Europeans ended the traditional lifestyle of the Khoisan but many of their descendants still make a living from the sea.
Cape St Francis is 8 km from Thyspunt, which was a preferred site for South Africa's next nuclear power station.
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