Eastern Cape region
Nelson Mandela Bay
The metro built around Algoa Bay, made up of Gqeberha, Kariega and Despatch, with the province's main port, airport and beach city.
Algoa Bay is sheltered and shallow, which gives the metro swimmable beaches for most of the year and a working harbour in the middle of the city. The bay also holds St Croix and Bird islands and the country's largest African penguin colonies.
Inland the Sundays River Valley runs up towards Addo Elephant National Park, which puts a Big Five park within an hour of the beachfront — an unusual combination anywhere in South Africa.
Towns in Nelson Mandela Bay
Towns without a page of their own yet open on Google Maps. We add full town pages as we finish researching them.
Highlights of Nelson Mandela Bay
Things to do in Nelson Mandela Bay
Where to eat in Nelson Mandela Bay
Restaurant
Something Good Roadhouse
Gqeberha
A long-standing beachfront restaurant on Marine Drive with a big deck facing the sea, popular for breakfast and for watching the surf at Pollok Beach.
View detailsFine dining
Ginger Restaurant
Gqeberha
An established fine-dining kitchen in Summerstrand, generally regarded as one of the city's serious dinner bookings.
View detailsWhere to stay in Nelson Mandela Bay
Hotel
The Beach Hotel
Gqeberha
A Summerstrand hotel directly opposite Hobie Beach and next to The Boardwalk, within walking distance of the swimming beaches and the promenade.
View detailsHotel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Gqeberha
A large seafront hotel on Marine Drive in Summerstrand, used mainly by business travellers and by visitors flying in and out of the city.
View detailsCulture & heritage in Nelson Mandela Bay
Museum & oceanarium
Bayworld
Gqeberha
Gqeberha's combined natural history museum and marine centre on Beach Road, covering Algoa Bay's sea life, the region's fossils and Eastern Cape social history under one roof.
View detailsPublic art trail
Route 67
Gqeberha
A walking trail of 67 public artworks climbing from the Campanile at the harbour up through the old town to the Donkin Reserve, each piece marking a year of Nelson Mandela's public life.
View detailsHeritage site
Donkin Reserve
Gqeberha
The hilltop park above the city centre with the 1820s lighthouse and stone pyramid raised by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city was originally named.
View details