Port St Johns Travel Guide
Travel to Port St Johns - Jewel of the Wild Coast
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Eastern Cape's Port of St John was named after a Portuguese ship which was wrecked in 1552 close to the town. The town is surrounded by sub-tropical rainforests and perched next to the massive Umzimvubu River which flows through two 300m high ramparts towering either side.
Situated at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River, the town was important to local trade, when in the mid 19th century ships started to travel up river and trade with the local Pondo tribes. The British signed an agreement in 1878 with the local chief Nqwiliso making the town part of the Cape Colony and agreeing to build them a proper harbour.
Attractions in Port St Johns
The town is lucky enough to have escaped industrial development and is renowned for its natural beauty and relaxed way of life and has become a popular holiday destination with its three beautiful beaches.
The beaches were not fortunate to gain exciting names – instead they are known as first, second and third beach. The first beach is close to the mouth of the river and swimming is not advised due to sharks.
The second beach is the prettiest – idyllic bathing, surrounded by rainforest and wild banana trees and with no known shark attacks! The third beach, which is mainly rocks and rock pools is not accessible unless you have a permit.
Activities in Port St Johns
Around the town there are a variety of activities possible – golfing, hiking on nearby eco-friendly adventure trails, mountain biking, dolphin cruises, quad biking, fishing, surfing and the nearby Silaka Nature Reserve.
Relaxing
Relaxing is very easy to do on one of the town's beautiful beaches!
Getting Around
Located on the Wild Coast of Eastern Cape's Transkei region, Port St Johns lies around 90 km by road from the regional capital of Umtata.
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