Best seaside holidays at Cape St. Francis
The town of Cape St. Francis is located on a rocky headland on the Eastern Cape’s Sunshine
Coast. Named after the patron saint of sailors, the town is a popular destination for surfers,
hikers and those wishing to simply unwind on the sun-soaked, clean beaches of St. Francis
Bay.
St. Francis Bay
The town of Cape St. Francis is fringed by the beaches of St.
Francis Bay. The bay boasts excellent surfing conditions, and
has been a haven for surfers and watersport enthusiasts
ever since it was featured in the 1960s cult classic movie,
The Endless Summer.
Besides providing superb surfing conditions, St. Francis Bay
is also the ideal destination for a family beach holiday. The
wide, sandy beaches of the bay are great for beach walks
and sunbathing, whilst Johnson’s tidal pool provides a
protected place for families and children to enjoy the water.
Walks and Hikes
Numerous nature walks and hikes can be enjoyed in the vicinity of St. Francis Bay. The Shark
Point Walk is the perfect way to explore the Seal Point Nature Reserve, with highlights of this
walk including stopovers at the Seal Point Lighthouse, Shark Point shipwreck and the pristine
expanse of Shelly Beach.
The Blowhole Hike is another popular walking trail, and leads through Irma Booysen Floral
Reserve, with its rare fynbos and colourful wildflowers. This trail passes through the floral
reserve and ends on a deserted beach, where hikers can explore the shipwrecked remains of
the Osprey before exploring the Cape St. Francis blowhole.
Seal Point Lighthouse
The Seal Point Lighthouse is the most recognisable Cape St.
Francis landmark. Set on the Cape St. Francis headland, the
lighthouse has been in operation for over a century and
continues to protect seafarers travelling along South Africa’s
East coast.
The Seal Point Lighthouse is also home to the Penguin
Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. This facility, which is open
to the public, was designed to provide assistance to injured
marine birds, a