Anje Rautenbach is a Bay travel writer and a blogger who runs the travel blog, . As a solo female traveller she discovers the nooks and crannies of the world in slow motion, fuelled by caffeine and a passion for storytelling
10 Things to Do in Port Alfred
If you’ve ever wondered why the Sunshine Coast is called the Sunshine Coast then your answer lies in the anything-but-sleepy seaport town, Port Alfred, which is the town with the most hours of sunshine in South Africa.
Port Alfred is a town steeped in history with stories dating back to the 1820s when the British Settlers were moved in to the area by Lord Charles Somerset and today the tales live on as you shop for antiques, stroll along the stretches of golden sandy shores and traverse the streets from modern shopping centers to Wharf Street, the oldest street in town.
Port Alfred is a quick drive from Port Elizabeth and the ideal weekend getaway for a romantic escape or a family-filled adventure.
Get your walking shoes out, tie those laces in double knots and explore because here are ten things to do in the picturesque postcard-perfect coastal town on the Sunshine Coast.
- Sunrise at Kelly’s Beach
Start your day with a steaming cup of coffee and drive to Kelly’s beach to greet the first rays of the morning and go for a refreshing stroll on the golden mile of sandy shores.
- Visit the Port Alfred Courtyard
The petite Courtyard in Van der Riet street is where you want to be if you are looking for anything and everything; breakfast, sweet treats, the resident cat, antiques, second-hand treasures, art and décor and also fresh flowers.
- Cruise on the Kowie River
Whether you want to go on a self-powered adventure in a kayak or enjoy a leisurely cruise with a sundowner in hand, the Kowie River offers boats in all shapes, sizes and speed for everyone.
- Relax at Camelot Spa
Get the royal treatment from head to toe at the at the Royal St Andrew's Hotel where highly skilled therapists are waiting to whisk you away to a world of complete relaxation.
- Indulge at the Royal St Andrew's Hotel
Treat yourself to a dinner experience like no other and dress in your Sunday best for a 6-course meal paired with some of South Africa’s finest wines at the Royal St Andrews Hotel. Contact the – Port Alfred’s one and only fine dining establishment - and experience a degustation evening with Chef Debby van Wyk’s signature dishes.
- The Little Brewery on the River
Situated on the Kowie River in Port Alfred’s oldest street, the Little Brewery on the River is an old 19
th-century building - a historical landmark – and home to some of the greatest beers in South Africa. Brewery tours are available.
- Go Horse Riding on the Beach
Venture about 15km outside of Port Alfred and experience the Sunshine Coast on horseback with Three Sisters Horse Trails and go through forests, down steep dunes and onto secluded beaches. It promises the best views of the Indian Ocean.
- Go Bird Watching
Get your binoculars out and experience the abundance of birdlife in Port Alfred; a birders’ paradise. Tours are available with Anne’s Birding Tours.
- Visit the Great Fish Point Lighthouse
The Great Fish Point Lighthouse is one of the smallest lighthouses in South Africa at a height of only 9m and it is one of only four lighthouses in the country to offer accommodation on-site.
- Soak it all in
The most important thing to do in Port Alfred is to soak it all in – the fresh air, the oceanside, the friendly townspeople and the beautiful environment. Visit Port Alfred and make time to just relax and soak it all in.
