Eastern Cape : Sunshine Coast
Overview
The Sunshine Coast is the coastal route between St Francis Bay and East London in
the Eastern Cape. The mountains of the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma make way for
the rolling coastal pastures that lead down to kilometers of wonderful sand dunes
and the challenge of surfing the perfect wave.
This is a diverse and relatively undeveloped region. Just inland lies 'Settler country',
where the Xhosa, the British and the Boers battled for the right to claim pastures
for their cattle. It’s also here that the 1820 Settlers arrived from England, effectively
doubling the white population of the country. With all that firmly in the past,
the sensational beaches and world famous surfing spots now define the coastline,
along with a treasure trove of rare and beautiful shells - if you're willing to
spend the time looking for them.
Things to do and see
With simply fantastic weather, the seaside-resorts of Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred
(considered by many to be the heart of this stretch of coastline), Jeffreys Bay,
Cape St Francis, St Francis Bay, and their access to warm waters, rock pools, water
sports, sheltered coves, eco-walks, nature reserves, and friendly locals, provide
the visiter to the Sunshine Coast with a wonderful seaside holiday. Add to this
the inland local game farms, malaria-free acces to the‘Big Five’, and you have more
to do and see than your holiday will allow.
With more sunshine hours per year than any other part of South Africa, the warm
Indian Ocean and over 300km of beaches, the list of possible things to do is endless,
but also inlcudes indoor activities - movies, shopping, and excellent restaurants.
The towns of East London and Port Elezabeth have world class Malls (Shopping Centres)
as well as museums, aquariums, and other historical sites. The Oceanarium in Port
Elizabeth has been rated as one of the best in the world since 1959. It is famous
for its daily dolphin shows and also hosts a Museum and a Snake park.
The Addo Elephant National Park, situated 73 km from Port Elizabeth, was proclaimed
in 1931. Its 743 km² offers sanctuary to 170 elephants, the last Cape buffalo and
21 black rhino of the very scarce Kenyan sub-species.
Climate
While the Sunshine Coast does have various sub-weather patterns, the average temperature
ranges between 18ºC to 30ºC in summer and 8ºC to 20ºC in winter. The sea temperatures
can be as warm as 21ºC in summer, and rarely colder than 14ºC in winter.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation for visitors, both on holiday and on business.
There are few hotels of the highest standard, but numerous more modest establishments
and innumerable holiday apartments, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, and the like.
Towns in the area
Kenton-on-Sea, Port Alfred, Jeffreys Bay, Oyster bay, Cape St Francis, St Francis
Bay, East London, Port Elizabeth.