Port Elizabeth Travel Guide, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Known as the watersports capital of South Africa, Nelson Mandela Bay has 13 beaches to choose from! Fully trained life-guards patrol the beaches in summer.

Port Elizabeth has 40km (25 miles) of coastline, warm seas and brisk sea breezes. This busy sea port is the gateway to the Eastern Cape and also the Garden Route. It is about halfway between Cape Town and Durban on the east coast. Port Elizabeth is the 5th largest city in South Africa and also known for vehicle manufacturing, wool export and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, with over 20 000 students.

The city is an affordable South African holiday destination and favoured by many families year after year. Port Elizabeth attractions benefit from the warm, dry summers and mild winters. This year round destination is a haven for beach and water fanatics as well as being a sporting events centre. International rugby and cricket tournaments are held here, also biking and triathlon events amongst many others. Roads are less congested than other holiday cities and it’s easy to find your way around.

Nelson Mandela Bay includes Port Elizabeth, and the little nearby towns of Uitenhage and Despatch. Port Elizabeth is well connected to the rest of the country. There is a busy airport and harbour, also good rail links and extensive highways. From here, visitors can take Route 72 north along the coast to East London (Sunshine Coast); the N2 to Grahamstown (Frontier Country); head west to the Karoo or south to the renowned Garden Route and Route 62 through picturesque mountains.

Algoa Bay, as it is also known was named by Bartholomew Diaz who dropped anchor here in 1488. This sea port is an excellent gateway to Malaria free National Parks and reserves which are coming to the fore as major Port Elizabeth attractions. Visitors don’t have to travel too far from the city either which is great for those short of time and families wanting a bush and beach holiday.