Top 5 small towns near Port Elizabeth
Thursday, 28 January 2021 12:16 PM
If you have access to wheels and can spend a day road tripping from PE, why not pack the padkos and head off to one of these small towns within driving distance? From quaint beach villages to the home of the world’s largest pineapple, it’s all within a stone throw away from Port Elizabeth.
Jeffreys Bay
J-Bay, famous for peeling waves and wipeouts, lies about 75km south-west of PE. World-famous Supertubes, Boneyards, Tubes, Point, Albatross and Kitchen Windows offer epic barrels and breaks for every level of surfer. Local surf schools will get you ready for saltwater action, which you can document with a surf shoot taken by a local photographer. Swap boards and try sandboarding – if you’re lucky, you can see whales and dolphins swimming in the bay as you skim down the dunes. Many local beaches have imposed temporary restrictions to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out which restrictions have been put in place before heading out to the beach.
Makhanda
Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) lies just off the N2, about one and a half hour’s drive from PE. Famously home to Rhodes University, the town was officially renamed in 2018 in memory of Xhosa warrior and prophet Makhanda ka Nxele. Culture vultures will know it as the home of the long-running and legendary National Arts Festival, the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent. The town, once the second-largest in the Cape, is rich with historical buildings, interesting museums and churches. The town’s weekly Saturday farmer’s market will sort you out with some live entertainment and a variety of fresh produce - veggies, pickles, and bread.
Kenton-on-Sea
Kenton-on-Sea, and its neighbour Bushmans/Boesmans, consider themselves the barefoot capital of the Sunshine Coast. 130km from PE, this coastal town offers perfect Eastern Cape relaxation between the Kariega and Bushman’s Rivers. Grab your pool noodle or inflatable and float down either river, laze at the lagoon, or enjoy the sand and sea at a Blue Flag beach, which leads to the pretty and secluded Shelley’s Cove. Throw a line in the river if you’re into fishing, or go for a paddle in a kayak or canoe. And if you're unable to experience this hidden gem due to temporary beach restrictions, add it to your travel bucket list of places to visit later - it is well worth the wait!
Bathurst
If you’ve ever wanted to have your photo taken in front of the world’s largest pineapple, then head towards Bathurst under two hours from PE. The three-storey Big Pineapple houses a museum and observation deck and stands as a tribute in an agricultural area known for its pineapple production. Historic Bathurst is home to the Toposcope heritage site, set on a scenic hill with landscape views. This central cairn is surrounded by plaques reflecting the names and ships of the settlers' parties who arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1820, and is flanked by six cairns dedicated to a Xhosa king and five chiefs who lived in the area at the time. Another nod to history can be had at The Pig and Whistle Inn, the oldest licensed pub in South Africa with its own antique shop for an interesting Bathurst souvenir.
St Francis Bay
St Francis Bay, set between the Kouga mountains, the sea and the Kromme River, turns from sleepy to super festive over the holiday season. Watersports enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in this laidback village about 100km from Port Elizabeth, as it offers world-class surfing, paddling, boating and fishing. Surf Bruce’s Beauties or Hullett’s near Granny’s Pool, and follow your session with a toastie at Bruce’s Café, one of the best places in the country to enjoy a nibble and watch the surf. And if temporary beach restrictions affect your beach plans, you can get in on the golf action at the Jack Nicklaus signature course at St Francis Links.
