Gonubie: Beach, River and Birdlife

Gonubie offers a range of options to consider when planning your trip: beach activities, picnic spots and birdwatching. The different highlights are easy to distinguish: the beach activities are at Gonubie Beach, while other birdwatching opportunities are associated with open areas and the coastal riverine forests. If you are looking for a hotel in Gonubie, you can first consider whether beach days, time by the river or birds will be the focus of your trip. The following places and activities provide a concrete guide.

Beach activities at Gonubie Beach

At Gonubie Beach, you can stroll along the beachfront promenade, go kayaking and run on the beach. You can swim in the tidal pool. This offers different ways to spend a day at the beach: a walk, some exercise through kayaking or a beach run, and swimming in the pool. Gonubie Beach was awarded Blue Flag pilot status. When planning your day, you can decide which of these activities you would like to focus on.

Picnics and getting your bearings by the river

There are braai and picnic facilities along Tidewaters Drive. If these facilities are important to your plans, check before your visit whether they are currently available for use. Gonubie River Picnic Spot offers opportunities for a picnic under the trees by the river and for birdwatching. The Gonubie River is near Main Road in Gonubie. If you would like to combine your break with birdwatching, Gonubie River Picnic Spot is a specific point of reference; the braai and picnic facilities along Tidewaters Drive offer another option. This way, you can distinguish between the activities available when planning your day.

Birdwatching in open areas and riverine forest

In open areas of the picnic spot, Red-capped Robin-chats and Chorister Robin-chats regularly forage in the early morning. The time of day and open terrain are therefore useful pointers for anyone hoping to spot these species. The endemic Knysna Woodpecker and Knysna Warbler occur in the coastal riverine forests on both sides of the Gqunube River; both are best found by listening for their calls. Their presence can vary seasonally. Other woodland bird species in the area include the Olive Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher. Around Gonubie Mouth Bird Sanctuary, approximately 160 bird species occur, including several notable endemic species. This approximate number may change over time. For birdwatching, different pointers apply: for the robin-chats, the early morning and open areas are relevant, while the calls of the two Knysna species can help you find them in the coastal riverine forest.

Choose Gonubie according to your travel interests

A stay focused on the beach draws attention to Gonubie Beach and its range of activities. If you are particularly interested in birdwatching, the guidance on time of day, open terrain, riverine forest and calls is more relevant. Picnics and braais add further specific activities to these options. First decide which themes you would like to shape your stay, then compare the information about each hotel with your travel plans.

For the wider travel overview: East London.