


FISHING
The Mzimvubu River is reknown for its fishing (Season May - Oct/Nov) fishermen descend on Port St John to try their luck for Kob, Garrick & Grunter. Fishing off our beautiful coastline is a must for every real fisherman.
ASK BAMBA
078 157 6078

SILAKA NATURE RESERVE/3RD BEACH
A beautiful beach and a beautiful day out, fish, sunbathe & swim. Silaka is committed to conserving the biodiversity of a near pristine example of the Eastern Cape Forest. Birdwatchers will enjoy sightings of the Knysna Turaco, Cinnamon Dove, Half Collared Kingfisher & Grey Cuckooshrike. R25 Entrance fee.
SILAKA NATURE RESERVE
047 564 1177

POENSKOP BEACH
Beautiful Beach well worth the drive, a favourite of fishermen, but great for a picnic too.
ASK BAMBA & PI
078 157 6078

AGATE TERRACE BEACH
Fish, Braai & Swim at this lovely beach. Good fishing beach and a lovely walk.
ASK BAMBA & PI
078157 6078

UMNGAZI BEACH
A beautiful beach, where you can fish, braai & swim. Ask at your accommodation for directions to this stunning location.
ASK BAMBA & PI
078 157 6078

NTAFUFU RIVER
A beautiful place to picnic, braai, fish, or canoe. Ask at your accommodation for directions to this little piece of paradise.
ASK AT BAMBA & PI
078 157 6078

HIKE THE WILD COAST
Hike this beautiful coastline , witness traditional living & meet the friendly & welcoming local people.
WILD TOURS & HIKES
082 507 225

BIRDWATCHING
It's quite astonishing that more twitchers haven't discovered this paradise for birds. The wide variety of habitats in Port St Johns supports over 330 bird species. The much sought after Spotted Ground Thrush & Delegorgue's Pigeon, have all been sighted in this area.
TOURIST OFFICE
047 564 1187
MAGWA WATERFALL
The Magwa Waterfall lies in the middle of the Magwa tea plantation, South Africa's last remaining tea estate. Magwa Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Africa.
LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS

THE GAP & BLOWHOLE
The Gap is a beautiful viewing spot for sea life. The Blow Hole is testament to natures power. Sea water is forced into a natural chimney like hole and shoots water sometimes 20 meters into the air at high tide. DO NOT approach the blow hole!
LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS

THE CAPE HERMES LIGHTHOUSE
The Cape Hermes Lighthouse was built in 1903, using local granite. It was named after the ship, the HMS Hermes, which conducted national surveys of the Pondoland coastal waters.
CONTACT LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS

CANOEING
A great way to experience nature and the river at close hand.
KHULULEKA RETREAT
072 194 8644

HORSE RIDING
Get close to nature and ride across this spectacular landscape. For further information contact below.
WILD COAST ADVENTURES
084 785 6454

RIVER CRUISE
Enjoy the comforts of the 'Bobalong' and perhaps a sundowner drink and journey down the Mzimvubu River.
OFFSHORE AFRICA
084 951 1325

BULOLO WATERFALL HIKE
Hike to the waterfall for further information contact the tour operator.
WILD COAST ADVENTURES
084 785 6454

ACTIVE ESCAPES
The Wild Coast is a hiker's paradise. Active Escapes offers a full spectrum of hiking & slackpacking trails to suit all levels of fitness, budgets and time constraints.
ACTIVE ESCAPES
084 240 7277

ISINUKA MUD CAVES
The name Isinuka means place of smell. This natural sulphur springs is a traditional healing place for the Pondo people, be aware it can be a bit grubby.
WILD COAST ADVENTURES
084 785 6454

PORT ST JOHNS GOLF COURSE
The Port St Johns Golf club should be on every keen golfers bucket list. Established at the turn of the previous century it's a nine hole course with 28 different T boxes.
DRIES
047 564 1741

NELSON MANDELA TOUR
We are in the homeland of the great Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela's home village and the museum dedicated to his memory.
WILD TOURS & HIKES
082 507 2256

CRAFTS
Gail Sink has lived in this area her whole life & can supply beautiful beadwork, local wood carvings, incredible clay pots, collectable clay Land Rover cars (the antiques of the future) baskets & carved fish.
PONDO PEOPLE
047 564 1115

CULTURAL DAY TOUR
A great way to get in touch with the people of this region and experience the friendliness of the locals, for an unforgettable day of tradition and culture.
AMAPONDO
047 564 1344

LOCAL ARTIST - RENEE SOFIANOS
Artist Renee has lived in the area for over 25 years, her stunning watercolours and pastels are a great way to remember the wild coast.
RENEE SOFIANOS
082 926 5857

NOSAKHELE WOOD CARVING
Nosakhele Woodcarving Hand carved wooden carvings, fish, sharks, ornate boats, dolphins. Great souvenirs from Port St Johns. Visit their stall at the top of Ferry Point Road.
NOSAKHELE WOOD CARVING
071 962 5201


Bamba Lodge accommodation is ideally located on the quieter side of Port St Johns town. Nature is the spectacular host of most of the annual events on our social calendar here on the Wild Coast. Nelson Mandela recognised the natural brilliance of his birthplace, homeland & people & often spoke of his love for this area.
We have given a list of things to do in the area and places to visit, and places to eat in Port St Johns.
There is a list of tour operators at the bottom to make sure you experience the best of this beautiful land...


Reviews
"We so enjoyed our time with you and hope we will be able to visit again... "
ESCHENBERG FAMILY




Port St Johns...naturally brilliant
things to do
places to eat
GYPSY MOON
Behind Outspan Inn close to post office
phone: 082 423 2683
cafe & crafts - great breakfast
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
CREMORNE ESTATE
Ferry Point Road
phone: 047 564 1909
restaurant & bar - takeaway service
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
FISH EAGLE
Road into town
phone: 082 747 1039
restaurant with lovely views - takeaway service
DELICIOUS MONSTER
2nd Beach, follow the signs
phone: 083 997 9856
good food & great view
Please contact for opening times.
THE WOODEN SPOON
2nd Beach
phone: 083 532 8869
good burgers & great view
STEVE'S BAR & RESTAURANT
Just past the post office in town
phone: 081 347 6563
open for breakfast, lunch & dinner,
great pizzas
OPEN FOR DINNER
SPOTTED GRUNTER
Before you get into town opposite the garage.
food gets good reviews
phone: 047 564 1279
OPEN FOR DINNER
JUNGLE MONKEY
Close to Police station in town
food gets good reviews/bar & live music
phone: 047 564 1517
OPEN FOR DINNER
AMAPONDO
Just before Second Beach
restaurant, bar & nightclup
phone: 047 564 1344
OPEN FOR DINNER
PORT ST JOHNS RIVER LODGE
Before you get into town opposite the garage.
food gets good reviews
phone: 047 564 1057
OPEN FOR DINNER
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
In town opposite the fish eagle.
open 7 days a week
PORT ST JOHN'S BUTCHERY
Follow road down from Boxer Supermarket.
eat in or takeaway tasty food for R30
SPAR
Follow the R61 into PSJ & Spar is on the right.
open 7 days a week
BOXER
Follow the R61 into PSJ & is situated directly in front of first Stop street.
open 7 days a week
USAVE
Follow the R61 into PSJ & drive past Boxer & USave is on the right hand side.
open 7 days a week

places to shop in Port St Johns



Mandela's Birthday
July 18th
Annual celebration of Nelson Mandela. Port St John's is the perfect base to visit Madiba's childhood home and the Nelson Mandela Musuem. It's more than a place, it's an experience that allows you to walk in the footsteps of a great man.
NELSON MANDELA MUSUEM
047 532 5110
Rare Cape Parrot
There are less than 500 in the world & they can be seen in numbers at Bamba & Pi in Port St Johns during the pecan nut season (April-June) & again (Sept-Oct) to feed off the seed of the coral tree.
Famous Fishing Spot in Port St Johns
'Kob Hole' or the 'Deep Hole' is exclusive to Purple Indigo our riverside property on the Mzimvubu. The largest Kob to be caught at the spot is an incredible 57kg. See Fishermans Gallery for pics.

ACTIVE ESCAPES
084 240 7277

KHULULEKA RETREAT
072 194 3644

NELSON MANDELA MUSUEM
047 532 5110

TOURIST OFFICE PSJ
047 564 1187

OFFSHORE AFRICA
084 951 1325

WILD COAST ADVENTURES
084 785 6454

WILD TOURS & HIKES
082 507 2256
tour operators
Nelson Mandela
'I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it...'
Sardine Run
June - July
Mass migration of sardines along the eastern coast of South Africa. Divers and nature lovers descend on Port St John to have the experience of a lifetime. We can offer great accommodation for all Sardine Run enthusiasts.


Drink the Water?
We drink the water but we do filter it first. The colour of the water coming out of the tap can be a bit questionable so make your own mind up.
Is it Safe?
In comparison to many places in South Africa PSJ is still relatively crime free. It still pays to be sensible. Don't walk alone at night, check with accommodation about does and don't, don't leave value valuables in sight, lock up.....& have a great time.
Safe Swimming?
There have been a number of shark attacks specifically in the Second Beach area. Don't pee in the water, don't swim if you have your period, don't carry bait in the water & definitely do not swim if the water is not clear. Be aware of riptides at all beaches we enjoy swimming in the Rock pools.
The Blowhole?
The blowhole in PSJ has claimed more lives (13 in total) than any shark. DO NOT APPROACH THE BLOWHOLE! If you are with a 'guide' and they say 'It is fine' & you want to live to see another day... do not listen! Some even speculate that the bodies claimed by the blowhole are one of the causes of the shark attacks.
Sunset at the Airstrip
It is worth the trip to see from a distance the spectacular beauty of this region. Ask Local Tour guides or the Tourist Office if you prefer an organised trip.


talk

ENKOSI
Thank you

MOLO
Hallo (Single)

EWE
Yes

HAYI
No

MOLWENI
Hallo (2 or more people)

fast food
Nelson Mandela
'The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.'