Attractions in Port Elizabeth

The Bay of Port Elizabeth is located on the south-eastern coast of Africa along the shores of Algoa Bay. The city is fondly referred to as “The Friendly City” and tourists, who linger long enough to discover Port Elizabeth’s treasures, soon encounter the refreshing and sincere hospitality from which the city has earned its name.

Port Elizabeth is a superb value-for-money and family fun holiday destination, the city offers a diverse selection of attractions, scenic nature trails, historic heritage, magnificent wildlife, cultural experiences, countless water sport activities and 40km of breathtaking coastline and beaches.

Watersport

The Bay is known as South Africa’s watersport capital and offers activity throughout the year, especially wind-surfing and fishing. In fact, Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba diving is of world class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species.

Port Elizabeth boasts a wonderful moderate climate all year round, and has been rated as having the fourth best weather in the world! Sea temperatures range from 16C in winter to 23C in summer. Summers are dry and warm with relatively low humidity, while winters are notably mild, with an all year round rainfall.

Historical and Nature

Port Elizabeth actually dates back to the arrival by sea of 4 000 British Settlers in 1820 to become the first permanent British residents in the country. On 6 June 1820, Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony at the time, named the city after his late wife, Elizabeth.

With the focus on eco-outdoor, Port Elizabeth offers the visitor an abundance of nature reserves ranging from a floral wonderland to unspoilt sanddunes to dramatic mountain ranges. A wonderful variety of game viewing experiences are available within less than an hour’s drive of Port Elizabeth.

Superb and enlightening orientation tours of the city are always available. These incorporate many of the historical attractions, as well as the modern developments in the city. Several exciting social, historical and traditional township tours are available. They incorporate some aspects of Settler History as well as the impact of the apartheid era on the city.

Bayworld, which is one of Port Elizabeth’s “must see” tourist attractions, is situated on the beachfront and comprises the Museum, Oceanarium, Snake Park and Tropical House. In addition to the popular daily dolphin and seal presentations hosted at the Oceanarium, the Snake Park houses a wide variety of exotic and indigenous snakes as well as an impressive variety of Eastern Cape Reptiles.

The “Apple Express”, the city’s famous antique narrow-gauge steam train operates from Port Elizabeth to Thornhill Village on a regular basis.

Algoa Bay boasts 40km of magnificent coastline and protected beaches, complemented by a perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes. These beaches include King’s Beach, Humewood Beach, Hobie Beach, Pollok Beach, Brighton Beach, Bluewater Bay, St George’s Strand and Wells Estate. The wide expanses of golden sands are ideal for safe and sheltered swimming, snorkelling, body surfing, sunbathing, yachting, windsurfing, surfing, jetskiing, fishing and beautiful beach walks. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season on all the main beaches.

Shopping Centres

From “market style” shopping, to craft shopping at our different fleamarkets, to upmarket boutique and mall shopping, Port Elizabeth has it all! Indulge your senses at our various spice, coffee and wine shops scattered conveniently around the city. Experience the hustle and bustle of Durban Road and Njoli Square for a jostling, ethnic shopping experience. Explore the classic collection of speciality stores and a variety of shopping malls for an upmarket shopping experience.

Clubs & Pubs

After dark the city ignites and sparkles with an action-packed and varied nightlife! Enjoy the sounds of a local band at one of the many beachfront pubs or nightclubs. Revel in the African vibe at a local shebeen or dance the night away in a vibrant club. For theatre lovers, a variety of live performances and cabarets are featured regularly.

Accommodation

Accommodation options are plentiful and varied in Port Elizabeth. Shuttle buses offer a convenient mode of transport in the city and to surrounding areas.