This outstanding African holiday spot, flanked by splendid beaches, straddles the banks of the
Kowie River. The beaches extend for miles, making them ideal for walking.
Popular among water sport enthusiasts for swimming, surfing, boating, water-skiing and scuba
diving, the town has a picturesque boat harbour, residential marina and first class angling. There
are stunning sea views from The Royal Port Alfred Golf Course, and the surrounding countryside
has many hiking trails, and historical and scenic places to visit.
Port Alfred lies on the picturesque R72 coastal road, half way between Port Elizabeth and East
London. This small town was once a sleepy fishing village at the mouth of the Kowie river, which is
navigable for some 28 kilometers upstream. Today Port Alfred boasts a huge yacht harbour. With
man-made islands and canals, a paradise especially for boat owners was created, and the boats
can travel either to sea or up the river.
The climate in Port Alfred is, like everywhere else at the Sunshine Coast, subtropical. Wide and
long beaches with fine sand are particularly popular with surfers. The water temperatures lie
between 18 and 24 C degrees.
Along the coast there are reefs that provide excellent diving grounds. A well-reputed diving school offers its services to beginners. The Kowie river is particularly popular with canoeists (Kowie Canoe Trail, 18 kilometers long). Port Alfred boasts an excellent golf course too, which belongs in the top ten in the country.
