Port St Johns on the Wild Coast: Beaches and History

Port St Johns is a town with a subtropical climate and is considered a year-round destination on the Wild Coast. Local history, beaches and nearby trails offer a variety of attractions. If you are looking for a hotel in Port St Johns, you can start by considering whether you want to focus your trip on historical tours, the coast or nature watching. The places described offer different points of interest: from the riverbank to the evergreen forest, and from a guided historical tour to a beach that requires a permit. The subtropical climate may also play a role in choosing when to travel.

Local history with two tour themes

Tours of the ruins of the first customs house upstream from Port St Johns can be arranged. Tours of King's Ride can also be arranged. Dick King crossed the Umzimvubu River there during his historic ride.

The tour themes are easy to distinguish: the ruins focus on a historic customs house, while King's Ride focuses on Dick King's crossing of the river. If you are choosing between them, the main deciding factor is the type of historical connection that interests you. Confirm the specific tour arrangements in advance.

Beaches with different features

First Beach lies at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River. Second Beach is about 12 kilometres south of Port St Johns, along a tarred road. Its gently sloping swimming beach is considered safe for swimming and is staffed by a full complement of lifeguards. Before swimming, check the current safety conditions and lifeguard coverage locally.

Third Beach offers a marked contrast: it consists mainly of rocks and tidal pools, and access is only permitted with a permit. Before visiting, check locally for the current permit requirements. The beaches differ in their shoreline and access rules: First Beach lies at the river mouth, Second Beach is described as a swimming beach, and Third Beach is rocky and requires a permit.

Trails and nature watching

The section of the Bulolo Waterfall Trail begins at the end of the tarred road at Second Beach. For current trail conditions, it is advisable to check with the local tourism office. The trailhead is at Second Beach, about twelve kilometres south of Port St Johns.

Nearby, trails wind through the evergreen forest of the coastal reserve and offer the opportunity to spot Knysna Loerie, Cinnamon Dove and Grey Cuckooshrike. The nature experiences differ: the Bulolo Waterfall Trail has a specified starting point, while the forest trails are associated with the landscape and potential birdwatching. If you are weighing up these options, you can decide based on the specific trailhead or your interest in forest birds.

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View the broader travel overview: Transkei District.