Port St Johns

By bus

The fastest way to get in and out of Port St Johns is catch a taxi from the Rank in Port St Johns to Durban. Takes about 4 hours and is about R110.
The Baz Bus runs along the Wild Coast on its way between Port Elizabeth and Durban making it one of the best options in this part of the country for the more pampered traveller. The Baz Bus does not serve Port St Johns and a drop off for the Port St Johns hostels is made at Mthatha.
Best public transport from Mthatha to Port St Johns is on the public taxis (R31 each way.) Catch a taxi from Circus Triangle (ask anywhere in town and someone will guide you) or phone the Port St Johns backpacker operation ahead of time and they will organise collection for you.
However, on the whole public transport, apart from the ever present day-time-only taxis, in the Wild Coast is sparse.

By car

There are two ways to get to Port St Johns by road. On the R61 from Mthatha the N2 highway to Durban or East London) or in a winding route north-east to Port Edward on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Cars can be rented at the Mthatha airport.

By plane

Fly directly in to Port St Johns and land on top of Mount Theisger.
There is an airport in Mthatha serviced by the national airline SA Airlink from Durban International Airport or Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport direct to Mthatha.

• Walk around town
• Drive the Wild Coast
• Take a ferry on the river

• Explore Second Beach and Silaka Nature Reserve by foot
• Visit town and the Lighthouse by foot
• Do Mpantu and Agate Terrace by vehicle
• Visit the top of the town by vehicle - Gap and Airstrip
• Visit the top of the town by foot - Sullivan or Thesiger walks
• The River: canoeing, lunch at Mpantu and Sulphur Springs
• Take a drive out of town to see Magwa Falls

• Angling. Sea fishing is a must do during your stay. The locals will be happy to show you the best places to catch a bite.
• Surfing. Lifeguards on duty at 2nd Beach and Agate Terrace.
• Diving. To dive at the Wild Coast is to discover the fascinating beauty of the underwater world - unspoilt, colourful, alive.
• Horse riding. There are various places to hire horses in the area.
• Walking. There are many hikes along the coast or in the mountains.
• Hiking. The Wild Coast Hiking Trail offers backpackers some of the most spectacular coastal wilderness in southern Africa.
• Birdwatching
• Boardsailing
• Boat trips
• Canoeing
• Beach combing and shelling
• Golf

Volunteer

There are several small-scale volunteer programs in the area. Projects range from preschool, junior and secondary schools to after school and community projects.

• Nomzi Pre-School

  phone: +27 82 871-4964

• Amapondo Backpackers

  phone: +27 47 564-1344
  Restaurant and bar.

• Cremorne Estate

  phone: +27 47 564-1113
  A la carte restaurant and bar. Great breakfasts!

• Delicious Monster

  phone: +27 47 564-1317
  address: Second Beach
  Has the best view in town.

• Jungle Monkey

  phone: +27 47 564-1517
  address: First Beach
  Restaurant with pizza oven.

• News Cafe

  phone: +27 47 564-1741
  address: Main St
  Good food and bar.

• Umzimvubu Retreat

  phone: +27 47 564-1105
  address: First Beach
  Restaurant serves excellent food and cakes.

• Wood'n'Spoon

  phone: +27 47 564-8202
  address: Second Beach
  Try their cheese fondue or hamburgers.

Budget

• Amapondo Backers

  phone: +27 47 564-1344

• Glass House

  phone: +27 72 332-3569

• Jetty River Lodge

  phone: +27 73 816-8407
  2 bed and breakfast rooms, 5 self-catering, 1 wheelchair-accessible room. Set in a beautiful tranquil garden on the mighty Umzivubu River. Camping and caravans welcome

• The Kraal

  phone: +27 82 871-4964
  The Kraal Eco Backpackers Lodge is an eco-sustainable rural haven situated on the hills above the Indian Ocean, located in a village, Tswelleni, which translates from the Pondo dialect to "onion".

• Umngazi River Bungalows

  phone: +27 47 564-1115
  address: Golf Course Drive, First Beach

Mid-range

• Jungle Monkey Backpackers

  phone: +27 47 564-1517
  address: 340 Berea Rd, 1st Beach

• Ntafufu Eco Lodge

  phone: +27-60-678-6443
  If you want to get off the beaten track to a place that is unique for its beauty and unspoilt surroundings. Set in an indigenous forest, high on the hills with an awesome 180-degree view of the sea and estuary. You can take various walks: to the river, along the beach, explore footpaths in the forest and grassland, mangrove swamps or go to the village of Mtambalala and experience rural village life (either guided or on your own). To access the beach, they rent out two-seater canoes. (There is no car access to the beach.)

• Kingfisher Cottage

  phone: +27 72 755-7734
  address: Poenskop Road Agate Terrace
  2 beautiful self contained cottages each sleeping 6/8 people set in a tropical garden and only metres to the beautiful unspoilt Long beach

• Outspan Inn

  phone: +27 47 564-1057

• Spotted Grunter Resort B&B

  phone: +27 47 564-1279

• Umzimvubu Retreat

  phone: +27 47 564-1741

Splurge

• Cremorne Estate

  phone: +27 47 564-1113

• Keyser's Cottage

  phone: +27 72 408-8158
  Poenskop Road, Agate Terrace (Cross bridge and travel 7.5km from the turn-off onto gravel road, past Cremorne, Ferry Point and carry on until you see a board indicating Keyser's Cottage). R200 - R250 per person per night depending on season.

• Mbotyi River Lodge

  phone: +27 39 253-8888

• Seacastle Guesthouse

  phone: +27 72 408-8158
  address: Poenskop Road, Agate Terrace