Ease into your first day with a relaxed coastal walk and light exploration: start with a stroll along the picturesque Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World precinct, then head to the nearby Kings Beach Promenade for sea air, sculptures and a coffee at a beachfront café. Afterward, visit the historic Donkin Reserve and Lighthouse for panoramic views over Algoa Bay and a gentle introduction to Gqeberha's colonial and maritime heritage before lunch.
Spend a relaxed afternoon wandering the charming streets of the Old Hill area, stopping for light bites and local art at South End Museum and the nearby Artisans' Market before heading to the waterfront for a late-afternoon cruise from Gqeberha Harbour to watch seals and seabirds against the Algoa Bay sunset. Finish with sundowners and seafood at the lively Harbour Brasserie or a beachfront terrace, soaking in the coastal atmosphere and preparing for tomorrow's drive to Addo.
As the sky deepens, enjoy a relaxed dinner and live music at The Coachman on Stanley, sampling fresh local seafood and craft beers in a cosy, maritime-themed setting. Afterward, take a moonlit stroll along Humewood Beach, pause at the Humewood Pier to listen to the waves and watch fishing boats drift, then finish with a nightcap at the stylish rooftop bar of The Boardwalk Hotel to round off your first day by the sea.
Rise early for a game-rich morning: head into Addo Elephant National Park for a guided safari drive aimed at spotting elephant herds, black rhino, and prolific birdlife along the Sundays River floodplain, then stretch your legs on a short walk at the scenic Richtersveld Waterhole picnic site. After the drive, detour to the nearby Sundays River Boat Cruises for a tranquil river trip past estuary bird colonies, finishing with coffee and farm-to-table pastries at the riverside Sundays River Farm Stall before lunch.
After a morning safari, take a scenic drive through the Sundays River Valley to the family-run Kariega Valley Wine Estate for a relaxed cellar tour and tasting of Rhône-style whites and Shiraz while overlooking riverine vineyards. Follow with a late-afternoon visit to the riverside Sundays River Mouth Picnic Site for birdwatching and a glass of local MCC (Méthode Cap Classique), then wander the shady paths at Kamma Conservancy Garden to enjoy indigenous flora as the light softens before your evening winery dinner.
As dusk falls, dine at the rustic riverside Sundays River Boat Club, savouring slow-cooked Karoo lamb or linefish paired with a crisp local white while listening to live acoustic music on the deck. After dinner, take a guided nocturnal drive with Karoo Night Safaris to glimpse foraging bushbuck and small nocturnal mammals, then finish the night with stargazing and a nightcap on the veranda of Sundays River Lodge, where the river murmurs set a tranquil tone for tomorrow's journey.
Begin with a sunrise surf-orientation at Supertubes Beach in Jeffreys Bay, where you can book a private lesson or watch the pros carve the famous right-hand point before grabbing a hearty breakfast at the surf-chic J-Bay Surf Café. Afterward, take the short coastal drive to St Francis Bay Harbour for a guided boat trip through the canals and lagoon with local birdwatching - keep an eye out for African oystercatchers and the occasional dolphin - then stroll the picturesque white-stucco streets and windmills of St Francis Village before lunch.
Drive the scenic coastal stretch to the charming village of Cape St. Francis, where you can enjoy a relaxed seafood lunch at The Lighthouse Café overlooking the bay, then wander the headland to the historic Cape St. Francis Lighthouse for sweeping ocean views and seal sightings. Later, explore the tidal pools and rock formations at Seal Point Nature Reserve, followed by a late-afternoon paddle or guided kayak in the sheltered lagoon at St Francis Conservancy, watching for terns and waders as the light softens before dinner.
As the light softens, head to the peaceful lagoon-side village of Kromme River Mouth for a riverside picnic and sunset birdwatching, keeping an eye out for kingfishers and herons. Later, enjoy a relaxed dinner of coastal tapas and craft cocktails at The Bay Tree Eatery, followed by a moonlit walk along the sand dunes near Cape St. Francis Nature Reserve to listen for nocturnal shorelife and savour the sea-scented air.
Catch the early swell with a private lesson or guided surf safari at Dunes Beach, then regroup over breakfast at the surf-inspired Dempsey's Café to refuel with local coffee and banana pancakes. Afterward, explore the lesser-known tidal pools and rock-hopping at Fountains Bay Nature Reserve, followed by a short guided coastal bike ride from J-Bay Bike Co. along the shore to spot shorebirds and watch local shapers put the finishing touches on custom boards.
Explore the lesser-known eastern headlands with a guided rockpool foray at Oubaai Tidal Flats, searching for nudibranchs and tidepool fish before heading to Horseshoe Bay for an invigorating stand-up paddle session past hidden coves. Later, join a local shaper for a behind-the-scenes workshop at J-Bay Boardworks to learn about board design and try waxing and trimming your own mini-fish before a seaside sunset beer at the relaxed Dolphin Deck Café.
As golden hour falls, settle into a laid-back seaside feast at Kitchen Windows, savouring freshly grilled linefish and locally grown salads while watching surfers carve the last light. After dinner, join an evening drum circle and storytelling session at J-Bay Cultural Deck for a taste of local music and community life, then wander down to Fisherman's Wharf for a nightcap and chance encounters with fishermen mending nets under starlight.
Start your day with a coastal hike along the rugged headland to the iconic Hole in the Wall, pausing to watch fishing skiffs and migratory seabirds while a local guide shares Xhosa legends about the rock formation. After descending to the sheltered bay, join a community-run canoe trip from Coffee Bay Lagoon to explore hidden estuary channels and visit a nearby village craft market where artisans at Nomakhwezi Arts Collective demonstrate traditional weaving and sell handmade beadwork.
After your canoe trip and village visit, take a scenic drive along the coast to the dramatic cliffs of Mthatha Headland, stopping for a guided walk to spot coastal raptors and endemic succulents, then descend to the sheltered cove at Mbotyi Beach for a refreshing swim and tidepool exploration. Later, visit the nearby craft stalls at Ngcwanguba Market to meet local makers and sample freshly grilled snoek at a seaside stall before settling at Tsitsikamma Lookout for late-afternoon light and a storyteller-led introduction to local Xhosa coastal myths.
As dusk falls, savour a seafood braai on the dunes at Lighthouse Bay, where local fishers grill the catch-of-the-day while a Xhosa storyteller from Tolo Village Cultural Circle shares coastal legends around the fire. Afterwards, stroll the starlit shoreline to McGregors Bay Rock Arch to watch bioluminescent plankton shimmer in the surf, then relax with a nightcap and indigenous herbal rooibos at the cozy Bayview Guesthouse veranda.
Rise with a guided walk through ancient forests on the Hogsback side of the route, exploring the mossy trails of Misty Mountain Forest and pausing at the vantage at Madonna & Child Viewpoint for sweeping valley panoramas before descending toward the coast. After the forest hike, transfer to the Wild Coast for a cultural visit to Qolora Mouth Village, where a local guide leads a storytelling session, a traditional Xhosa pottery demonstration at Sukwini Arts, and a riverside walk to the scenic Qolora Bridge estuary before lunch.
Spend the afternoon on a guided coastal-foraging and craft walk with a community guide from Tolo Village Cultural Circle, learning to identify edible seaweeds and medicinal plants before tasting a traditional braai lunch prepared on the beach. Afterwards, head inland for a gentle hike to the waterfalls of Mwanyana Falls, where a local storyteller from Sukwini Arts Cooperative shares Xhosa legends beside the pool and you can join a hands-on basket-weaving demonstration with village artisans.
As twilight settles, join a village feast at Tolo Village Community Hall, where elders lead a traditional Xhosa ceremony and you can taste slow-cooked umngqusho and locally brewed beer while learning song and dance. Afterwards, take a guided nocturnal walk to Mbotyi Dune Overlook to listen for night birds and witness coastal starscape storytelling, then unwind with rooibos and a warm fire at Sukwini Arts Guest Cottage, sharing crafts made earlier in the day.
Enjoy a slow, restorative start with breakfast at Coffee on Stanley, then take a gentle stroll through the fragrant plantings and bird-friendly pathways of St George's Park, pausing at the Victorian Rose Garden and small museum for a final taste of local history. Finish with a calming harbour-side walk along Humewood Boardwalk, where you can watch fishing boats return and pick up last-minute souvenirs from the artisan stalls at The Seaside Emporium before checking out.
Spend a leisurely afternoon sampling local flavours and last-minute cultural stops: enjoy a seafood platter and craft wine tasting at The Foundry on Main, then wander the nearby lanes to browse contemporary African art at The Red Location Museum Annex and handcrafted souvenirs at Market on the Wharf. Finish with a peaceful waterfront unwinding aboard the short Algoa Bay Sunset Ferry for one last coastal view before departure, reflecting on the week's wild-coast adventures.
For a mellow final evening, savour a farewell dinner of contemporary coastal cuisine at The Coachman's Kitchen, enjoying locally sourced seafood and a curated Eastern Cape wine list while seated on the terrace. Afterwards, take a gentle, lantern-lit harbour walk to Pollock Beachfront Promenade to listen to the waves and spot night-time seabirds, then finish with a digestif and live jazz at Station 5 Rooftop Bar to reflect on the week's wild-coast and cultural discoveries.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World | Free |
| Kings Beach Promenade | Free |
| Donkin Reserve and Lighthouse | Free |
| Boardwalk Hotel rooftop bar (Drinks) | R70 |
| Humewood Beach & Humewood Pier | Free |
| The Coachman on Stanley (dinner) | R300 |
| South End Museum | R50 |
| Artisans' Market (local) | R100 |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Harbour cruise (Algoa Bay cruise) | R350 |
| Harbour Brasserie (seafood meal) | R280 |
| Addo Elephant National Park (park entry per person) | R340 |
| Addo guided safari drive (per person, shared vehicle) | R600 |
| Richtersveld Waterhole (picnic site access) | Free |
| Sundays River Boat Cruises | R250 |
| Sundays River Farm Stall (coffee & pastries) | R80 |
| Kariega Valley Wine Estate (tasting) | R120 |
| Sundays River Mouth Picnic Site | Free |
| Kamma Conservancy Garden | Free |
| Sundays River Boat Club (dinner) | R260 |
| Karoo Night Safaris (nocturnal drive, per person) | R450 |
| Jeffreys Bay Supertubes Beach (surf watching) | Free |
| Private surf lesson (Supertubes area, per person) | R550 |
| J-Bay Surf Café (breakfast) | R90 |
| St Francis Bay Harbour guided boat trip | R300 |
| St Francis Village (walking) | Free |
| The Lighthouse Café (lunch) | R160 |
| Cape St. Francis Lighthouse | R40 |
| Seal Point Nature Reserve | Free |
| St Francis Conservancy guided kayak | R250 |
| Kromme River Mouth (sunset picnic) | Free |
| The Bay Tree Eatery (dinner) | R220 |
| Dunes Beach (surf lesson) | R550 |
| Dempsey's Café (breakfast) | R80 |
| Fountains Bay Nature Reserve | Free |
| J-Bay Bike Co. guided coastal bike ride | R300 |
| Oubaai Tidal Flats rockpool foray | R150 |
| Horseshoe Bay stand-up paddle session | R220 |
| J-Bay Boardworks workshop (shaper visit) | R200 |
| Dolphin Deck Café (sunset beer/snack) | R90 |
| Kitchen Windows (seaside dinner) | R260 |
| J-Bay Cultural Deck (evening event) | R80 |
| Fisherman's Wharf (nightcap) | R70 |
| Hole in the Wall (Coffee Bay) guided hike | R200 |
| Coffee Bay Lagoon community canoe trip | R180 |
| Nomakhwezi Arts Collective (crafts) | R50 |
| Mthatha Headland guided walk | R100 |
| Mbotyi Beach | Free |
| Ngcwanguba Market (crafts & snack) | R80 |
| Tsitsikamma Lookout (viewpoint) | Free |
| Lighthouse Bay seafood braai (community event) | R220 |
| Tolo Village Cultural Circle storytelling (per person) | R120 |
| McGregors Bay Rock Arch (bioluminescence walk) | R150 |
| Bayview Guesthouse (evening tea) | R40 |
| Misty Mountain Forest (Hogsback guided walk) | R180 |
| Madonna & Child Viewpoint | Free |
| Qolora Mouth Village cultural visit | R160 |
| Sukwini Arts pottery demonstration | R80 |
| Qolora Bridge estuary walk | Free |
| Tolo Village coastal-foraging and craft walk | R200 |
| Mwanyana Falls guided hike & basket-weaving | R150 |
| Tolo Village Community Hall village feast | R180 |
| Mbotyi Dune Overlook nocturnal walk | R120 |
| Coffee on Stanley (breakfast) | R85 |
| St George's Park (Rose Garden & museum) | Free |
| Humewood Boardwalk | Free |
| Seaside Emporium (souvenirs) | R120 |
| The Foundry on Main (seafood platter & wine tasting) | R320 |
| Red Location Museum Annex (art browsing) | Free |
| Market on the Wharf (souvenirs) | R100 |
| Algoa Bay Sunset Ferry | R220 |
| The Coachman's Kitchen (farewell dinner) | R320 |
| Station 5 Rooftop Bar (digestif & live jazz) | R140 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | R9465 |