'''Port St Johns''' is a town on the Wild Coast of South Africa.
Renowned worldwide for its open beaches, awesome weather and wild waters, Port St Johns and the Wild Coast offer visitors to South Africa an opportunity to experience unspoiled Africa.
Visitors to the small town of Port St Johns will encounter an eclectic mix of local characters and African flair. The friendly chaos of this bustling coastal community is both inviting and mesmerizing. Many visitors describe their experiences here as _gdistinctly African_h; striking a balance between the changing face of rural South Africa and traditional recognition of the past.
Get in
By bus
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 four hours and is about R110.
The Baz Bus runs along the Wild Coast on it's way between Port Elizabeth and Durban making it one of the best options in this part of the country for the more pampered traveler. The Baz Bus does not service 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_fs OR Tambo International Airport direct to Mthatha.
Get around
Walk around town
Drive the Wild Coast
Take a ferry on the river
See
Explore Second Beach and Silaka Nature Reserve by foot
Visit town and the Lighthouse by foot
Do Mpantu and 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
Do
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. 27 (0)82 871-4964. hekraaltoddlers@yahoo.com. ttp://www.thekraalbackpackers.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=32.
Buy
Eat
Amapondo Backpackers. 27 (0)47 564-1344. Restaurant and bar.
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Cremorne Estate. 27 (0)47 564-1113. A la carte restaurant and bar. Great breakfasts!
Delicious Monster. econd Beach. 27 (0)47 564-1317. Has the best view in town.
Jungle Monkey. irst Beach. 27 (0)47 564-1517. Restaurant with pizza oven.
News Cafe. utspan Inn. ain Street. 27 (0)47 564-1741. Good food and bar.
Umzimvubu Retreat. irst Beach. 27 (0)47 564-1105. Restaurant serves excellent food and cakes.
Wood'n'Spoon. econd Beach. 27 (0)47 564-8202. Try their cheese Fondue or Hamburgers.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
Amapondo Backers. 27 (0)47 564-1344. nfo@amapondo.co.za. 27 (0)47 564-8280. ttp://www.amapondo.co.za. oubles R250.
Glass House. 27 (0)72 332-3569. rom R225pps.
Jetty River Lodge. ross the bridge, turn right on to gravel road, travel 1 km till you see the sign. 27 (0)73 816-8407 . rom R150pps. 2 bed and breakfast rooms, 5 self catering, 1 catering to wheel chair needs. Set in a beautifull tranquil garden on the mighty Umzivubu River. Camping and caravans welcome
The Kraal. 27 (0)82 871-4964. 27 (0)43 683-2098. ttp://www.thekraal-backpackers.co.za. rom R200pps.
Umngazi River Bungalows. olf Course Drive, First Beach. 27 (0) 47 564-1115. eservations@umngazi.co.za. ttp://www.umngazi.co.za. rom R155pps.
Mid-range
Jungle Monkey Backpackers. 40 Berea Rd, 1st Beach. 27 (0)47 564-1517. monkey@mweb.co.za. ttp://www.junglemonkey.co.za. 250 per room.
Kingfisher Cottage. oenskop Road Agate Terrace. 27 (0)72 755-7734. PM. 0AM. 200-R300. 2 beautifull self contained cottages each sleeping 6/8 people set in a tropical garden and only metres to the beautifull unspoilt Long beach
Khululeka Retreat. elf Catering Lodge Accommodation. 27 (0)72 213-3639. tay@khululeka.co.za. ttp://www.khululeka.co.za. 330pps. Paradise. Right Here, Right Now. If you want to get off the beaten track to a place that is unique for its beauty and unspoilt surroundings, you will love Khululeka Retreat. Set in an indigenous forest, high on the hills with an awesome 180-degree view of the sea and estuary, Khululeka Retreat is just that. Peaceful, private and remote.
Lily Lodge & Restaurant. 27 (0)47 564-1229. nfo@lilylodge.info. ttp://www.lilylodge.info/. 450pp.
Outspan Inn. 27 (0)47 564-1057. ttp://www.outspaninn.co.za/. rom R325pps.
Spotted Grunter Resort B&B. 27 (0)47 564-1279. ttp://www.spottedgrunter.co.za. rom R390.
Umzimvubu Retreat. &B, Self Catering. 27 (0)47 564-1741. 350pps.
Wettham Hill Guesthouse. Mountain Drive"+27 (0)82 453-3944. ttp://www.wetthamhill.co.za. rom R260pps.
Splurge
Cremorne Estate. 27 (0)47 564-1113. ttp://www.cremorne.co.za/. 600pps.
Keyser's Cottage. 27 (0)47 564-1613. ttp://www.agateterrace.co.za/. 1000 per cottage. Minimum 4 persons
Mbotyi River Lodge. 27 (0)39 253-8888. ttp://www.mbotyi.co.za/. rom R645pps.
Seacastle Guesthouse. oenskop Road, Agate Terrace. ross 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 Seacastle Guesthouse. 27 (0)72 408-8158. onnyy@telkomsa.net. ttp://www.scguesthouse.co.za. PM. 0AM. 200 - R250 per person per night depending on season.
Get out