Chas Everitt - Eastern Cape - St Francis Bay - The Gateway to the Garden
Route
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South Africa Map
Garden Route
St Francis
Kromme
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The village boasts a temperate climate of warm summers and mild winters,
a magnificent beach providing safe bathing, extraordinary surfing, a deep
water harbour, nature reserves and is approximately 1 hour from Port Elizabeth
The scenic holiday village of St Francis Bay lies nestled among
the green clad dunes lining the beautiful Bay of St Francis. Whales
and dolphins play along the shoreline while the sounds of gulls can be
heard overhead. The Kromme River, traversable for 10 km, twists
and winds its tranquil way down to an outstanding marina where the gracious
white walled thatched homes are reflected in the quiet water of the canals.
A marvellous white, lightly sloping beach provides safe bathing as well
as some of the finest rock and surf angling on the East Coast at the bay.
It is world famous for its waves and is frequented by surfers from all
over the world.
A distinctive focal point in the village of St Francis Bay and
Cape St Francis is Port St Francis. The area is very well
established and development is continuing with the addition of "The
Port Hotel and Conference Centre" (amongst others). The harbour serves
as moorings for a hefty fleet of private yachts and recreational fishing
boats and is also home to several commercial and long-line vessels.
Other places of interest
- Marina Cruise - This is an hour long trip allows you to experience
South Africa's own 'Little Venice' aboard a comfortable cruiser
- River Cruises - Explore the upper reaches of the Kromme River on a
comfortable motor launch. Stop over at Stony Boma River Camp for a picnic
or braai. After lunch, relax or go for a hike, canoeing, fishing or
bird watching on the river.
- Eco Boat Cruises - Boat cruises around the Bay. You'll discover abundant
marine and bird life - including whales, dolphins and penguins.
- Surfing - Better waves than here would be a difficult task to find.
One of the worlds great surf spots named "Bruce's Beauties -St
Francis Bay" can be found here. It was named after a photographer
from the '60s, Bruce Brown, who searched the world for the perfect wave.
He found it at St Francis Bay.
- Hiking at Sand River -If you are lucky, you may see the beautiful
Crystal Pools. After heavy rains, the water table rises to form them.
The water in the Sand River flows underground, over the hard rocky substrate
that underlines the dunes.
- Irma Booysen Flora Reserve - The Reserve lies within 200m of the Cape
St. Francis Resort. For all lovers of fynbos, a walk through the reserve
is a must-do. Plant guides and maps are available at the reception office
of the resort.
Click here to view properties
in St Francis Bay
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More Info
St Francis Bay is situated on the coast, only an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth,
The Friendly Water Sport City of South Africa. It is just 15 minutes off the
N2, the main highway from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth which incorporates the
Garden Route.
St Francis Bay offers a healthy and invigorating lifestyle with activities
to suit every taste. The wide Kromme River, its wooded tributary, the Yellowwood,
plus beautiful canals in the village, provide 40 km of superb, navigable waterways
- ideal for sailing, canoeing and small power craft.
The Peninsula and bay are renowned for superb deep-sea fishing and rock angling.
The protected Santareme Bay and Kromme River abound with leer fish, cob, yellowtail,
steenbras, red roman, baardman and many other sought after species. The bay
is also famed for its calamari, while the rocks are an unspoilt treasure trove
of every form of marine life.
Windsurf boards and hobiecats are a familiar sight in the bay and on the broad
lower reaches of the river, where colourful regattas regularly take place.
The river and canals offer outstanding warm water skiing opportunities right
on your doorstep, while sailing the protected waters of the bay is another favourite
pastime.
Two outstanding, all-weather tennis courts cater for tennis lovers; golfers
can enjoy the benefits of a well laid out golf course, plus magnificent club
house; while two immaculate bowling greens, linked to the bowls clubhouse and
community hall, are at the disposal of bowling enthusiasts.
The village boasts a unique, thatched-roof shopping complex with boutique-style
shops catering for the holiday shopper's every requirement.
Endless kilometers of unspoilt coastline and a wide variety of plant and wild
life make for superb hiking territory. The nearby Kouga Mountain provides not
only a magnificent back-drop, but also scenic hiking trails. Added attractions
are the two huge inland dams, the Churchill and Elandsjacht, which are close
at hand.
For surfers, the now internationally renowned "Bruce's Beauties"
offer 500 meters of surfing sensation in a bay which is also well suited to
beginners. To enjoy a good game of squash, you only have to drive 15 km to Humansdorp,
where there is also another golf course.
Conditions for snorkeling, diving and spear-fishing are excellent. And, when
it comes to swimming and sunbathing, the choice is wide and varied: the warm
sea water bordered by 5 km of gently sloping, sandy beaches, the river, the
canals, and the sparkling pool at the hotel.
Another inherent treasure of the area is the many rare shells to be collected
from its unspoilt beaches - making it a paradise for the conchologist. A wonderful
variety of game viewing experiences are available within less than an hour of
Port Elizabeth. Shamwari Game Reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, Kariega
Game Lodge, Schotia Safaris and Schumba Safaris are all on our doorstep.
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