Eastern Cape region
Wild Coast
The stretch of coastline between the Kei and Mtamvuna rivers, where grass hills roll straight into the sea and most of the beaches are reached on gravel.
The Wild Coast is rural, communally held land, and that is what makes it look the way it does: cattle on the beaches, scattered homesteads on the ridges and very few fences. Roads run inland along the N2 and R61, with long spurs down to each coastal village.
Coffee Bay and Port St Johns are the two established visitor bases. Between and beyond them sit Mdumbi, Hole in the Wall, Mbotyi and the Msikaba and Mtentu river mouths, most of them linked by the hiking trails that people walk in sections over several days.
Towns in Wild Coast
Towns without a page of their own yet open on Google Maps. We add full town pages as we finish researching them.
Highlights of Wild Coast
Natural landmark
Hole in the Wall
Coffee Bay
The Wild Coast's most recognisable landmark: a detached cliff standing offshore with a wave-cut arch punched clean through it, about 9km from Coffee Bay.
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Hotel & spa
Umngazi Hotel & Spa
Port St Johns
A long-established Wild Coast hotel set where the Umngazi River meets the Indian Ocean, south of Port St Johns, known for family holidays and its riverside spa.
View detailsThings to do in Wild Coast
Natural landmark
Hole in the Wall
Coffee Bay
The cliff island with a wave-cut arch through it, about 9km south of Coffee Bay, reachable on a gravel road or on foot along the coast.
View detailsBeach
Coffee Bay Beach
Coffee Bay
The wide river-mouth beach the village is built around, backed by green hills and used for swimming, walking and surfing depending on the swell.
View detailsCoastal hike
Mapuzi Cliffs & Caves
Coffee Bay
A coastal walk north of Coffee Bay along cliffs, caves and rock pools, usually done with a local guide because the route crosses grazing land and river mouths.
View detailsBeach
Second Beach
Port St Johns
Port St Johns' main beach, a wide sweep backed by forest a few kilometres from the town centre, with lifeguards on duty in the busy season.
View detailsNatural landmark
Gates of St John
Port St Johns
The two cliffs — Mount Thesiger and Mount Sullivan — that the Mzimvubu River cuts between on its way to the sea, and the reason the town looks the way it does.
View detailsViewpoint
Mount Thesiger Viewpoint
Port St Johns
A steep road climbs to the plateau and old airstrip above the town, giving the definitive view down the gorge to the river mouth.
View detailsNature reserve
Silaka Nature Reserve
Port St Johns
A small coastal reserve just south of town where forest runs down to a sheltered bay, with short trails, zebra and blue duiker, and chalets inside the reserve.
View detailsWhere to eat in Wild Coast
Restaurant & chalets
White Clay
Coffee Bay
A restaurant and self-catering spot on the rocks at Bomvu Beach just outside Coffee Bay, best known locally for seafood with the sea directly below the deck.
View detailsHotel restaurant
Ocean View Hotel Restaurant
Coffee Bay
The most reliable sit-down meal in the village, open to non-residents and worth booking in the December and Easter peaks.
View detailsCafé
Delicious Monster
Port St Johns
A small café above Second Beach that has been part of the Port St Johns routine for years — coffee, breakfast and a sea view.
View detailsWhere to stay in Wild Coast
Backpackers
Coffee Shack Backpackers
Coffee Bay
A long-established backpackers on the river at Coffee Bay, known for running guided Wild Coast hikes and surf lessons with local guides.
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Ocean View Hotel
Coffee Bay
The hotel directly above Coffee Bay's main beach, the village's most established full-service accommodation and its main sit-down dining room.
View detailsResort
Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa
Port St Johns
The Wild Coast's best-known family resort, at the Mngazi River mouth south of Port St Johns, long known for its childminding service and river activities.
View detailsBackpackers
Jungle Monkey Backpackers
Port St Johns
A budget base in town used by hikers and overlanders working their way along the Wild Coast.
View detailsRiverside resort
Cremorne Estate
Port St Johns
Self-catering and chalet accommodation on the Mzimvubu River upstream of town, with boat access to the river and its own restaurant.
View detailsCulture & heritage in Wild Coast
Cultural experience
Xhosa village experiences
Coffee Bay
Guided visits to homesteads around Coffee Bay are arranged through the village lodges, with local guides who live in the area rather than outside operators.
View detailsCultural experience
Pondoland cultural walks
Port St Johns
Guided walks into the surrounding Pondoland villages are arranged locally, covering traditional healing plants, homestead life and the area's history.
View detailsShopping in Wild Coast
Crafts
Roadside craft sellers
Coffee Bay
Beadwork, woven grass mats and carvings are sold along the road into the village and on the beach path — buying directly from the maker is normal here.
View detailsMarket & shops
Port St Johns town market
Port St Johns
The main street carries fresh produce traders, hardware, spaza shops and a supermarket — enough for basics, though selection is limited.
View detailsNightlife & entertainment in Wild Coast
Evenings out
Beach bonfires & lodge bars
Coffee Bay
Nightlife here means the lodge bars and beach fires — the backpackers run most of the evening social life and visitors are welcome.
View detailsBar
Gecko Bar
Port St Johns
A Second Beach bar and gathering point, where most of the town's visitor nightlife happens in season.
View detailsUseful local services in Wild Coast
Everyday supplies
Village spaza shops
Coffee Bay
Coffee Bay has small shops for basics only. There is no supermarket or bank — draw cash and buy groceries in Mthatha before you drive down.
View detailsEveryday services
Town services
Port St Johns
Fuel, an ATM, a police station and a clinic are available in town. For anything major, Mthatha is roughly two hours away on the R61.
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