Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
- j
- f
- m
- a
- m
- j
- j
- a
- s
- o
- n
- d
Positives
- Top class right pointbreaks
- Crowd free
- Warm water
- Cheap living costs
Negatives
- Sharks
- Poor road network
- Lack of facilities
- Poverty and petty crime
Wild Coast, Eastern Cape surf travel guide
The Wild Coast, once known as the Transkei homeland, is a 280km stretch of cliff faces, perfect beaches and rich tidal estuaries, running from Great Kei River (East London) to Mtamvuna River (Port Edward) on the border with KwaZulu Natal Province. Long distances between towns, the poor condition of the roads, a lack of facilities and some strenuous access to breaks; this region suits the more experienced searcher with some pioneering spirit. There is a balanced equilibrium between exposed, quality beachbreaks and protected right pointbreaks and many bays have both. A number of shark attacks on surfers have gone down at Nytlonyane and Port St Johns over the years, but stats show these encounters are becoming rarer. Coffee Bay is central enough to be used as a base for surfing missions and has some tourist facilities.
Surf spots in Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
Research the 15 surf breaks in Wild Coast, Eastern Cape and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 15 breaks in Wild Coast, Eastern Cape.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 10,472,000
- Population
- 59,308,690
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- ZAR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 7.24 ZAR ZAR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +27
- Dialing out
- 09
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venḓa, Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans and English are all official languages. Plus there are many other non official languages.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- dmn
Visas
Currently nearly every country in the world can go to South Africa without needing a visa but always check the latest news to be sure
Getting There
South Africa is not an international travel hub so flying there is not very cheap, except from London, which can have some bargain, priced tickets. Most of the 50+ airlines fly to Johannesburg. Straight flights to Cape Town are easy to come by but more expensive. South African Airways board tax is $90! Driving from Johannesburg to J-Bay takes 13hrs. KWAZULU NATAL No visa. Johannesburg (JNB) gets direct flights from Sao Paulo, Miami, New York, London (overnight), Frankfurt, Dubai, Singapore and Perth. Fly then Durban (DUR) which cost $100 r/t. South African Airways, South African Express and Airlink fly between all the major cities. Kulula.com, 1time and Mango offer cut-price flights. South Africa is remote but with direct flights from Sao Paulo, Miami, New York, London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Singapore and Perth. Most airlines hit Johannesburg (JNB). Daily flight to East London (ELS) costs $120-150 r/t. East London is 1037km (645mi) from Cape Town, 658km (409mi) from Durban, 294 (183mi) from Port Elizabeth and 961km (597mi) from Jo’berg.
Getting Around
Cape Peninsula The road network is excellent and a rental car can be a smart move: expect to pay $150/w, gas is cheap (50c/l). Consider buying a car if you spend more than a couple of months travelling around the country. J-Bay is an 8-hour drive. Traffic keeps to the left. Durban Local transport is reliable and the road network is excellent. Rental cars are cheap and ensure you’ll get more waves. Expect to pay $150/w - fuel is cheap (50c/l). Kwazulu Natal Rent a car at Southafricar and pay $225/wk. Durban Airport is 20min from Amanzimtoti and 170km (106mi) to Port Edward. Driving along the N2 freeway/toll road up to Ramsgate then use R102 aka Marine Drive to Port Edward. High season is late-March/April and Dec-Jan holidays. Eastern Cape The road network is very good and long drives are the only way to get around. Expect $32/day car hire (National). Transkei can be a bit sketchy to cross; only drive during daytime. It takes 4-5h drive from J-Bay. Access to most of the spots is easy, just don’t paddle across rivermouths when they run out to sea. Seaside resorts are only busy during summer.
Accommodation
Tourist facilities are low but the coast is dotted with small lodges (from hotels to thatched rondavel huts). In Coffee Bay, Backpackers are fine like Bomvu or Coffee Shack ($12/day). Ocean View Hotel: from $69/b&b. Try Amapondo in PSJ or the Kraal in Mpande. A meal will cost $8.
Activities
Xhosa rural people live by tribal tradition and beliefs. Brightly coloured examples of the beadwork, together with traditional pottery and basketwork can be bought from roadside vendors and at some trading posts. Backpacker’s activities: horse-riding, hiking, music, yoga and parties!
Hazards & hassles
On remote beaches, beware of muggings and car break-ins. Reduce shark risks: don’t surf too early or too late; don’t surf near flooded rivermouth; don’t piss in the sea (even if wearing a wetsuit) and avoid the sardine runs. Winter is less sharky as the rivers stop flowing out murky fresh water. Beware the strong weed.
Handy Hints
No shops or shapers in this zone. Old boards can be rented in Coffee Bay. An independent territory, Transkei reintegrated with the rest of South Africa in 1994 and boasts a predominantly Xhosa speaking population compared to Afrikaans (10%) and English (5%).
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.