Cintsa, Wild Coast
The quaint little seaside village of Cintsa (or Chintsa), lies just 45 kilometres north east of East London. It is often mistakenly regarded as part of the Wild Coast, and though it lies very close to it, manages to fall just outside.
Nonetheless, this part of the coast is reminiscent of all things wild, and the beauty of the surrounds is the reason so many seek out this peaceful spot that claims its name from the river on which it lies, meaning ‘crumbling banks' in Xhosa.
Two little villages in fact lie on the banks of the Chintsa River and estuary - Cintsa East, which paradoxically lies on the north shore of the river and is the more developed of the two, and Cintsa West, on the south. This is a beautiful part of the world. That it has been described as a little piece of paradise is no wonder, and to its residents and return summer visitors, Cintsa offers a haven in a tranquil setting, surrounded by lush indigenous forest and thicket, and an amazing bird life.
The lagoon predominates, and sand dunes and a wonderfully long stretch of beach, entice one to stay. Most of the holiday homes lie behind coastal bush, and the added draw card of beaches that are relatively unspoilt and not as busy as the beaches of East London make Cintsa an attractive place to stay - particularly as the sea is mostly flat with small waves, ideal for children; and rock fishing, although it has dwindled over the years, is still a popular pastime.
Other highlights include canoe rides up the river at high tide, walks to Cefani Mouth or a ten minute drive to the Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, where you can see rhino, giraffe, zebra and a variety of buck.
Additional Reading
For more info about Cintsa see our articles on the SA Travel News Blog: • At the heart of Cintsa
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
The whole of the Wild Coast is amazing and Cintsa is no exception. It is only a 40 min drive from East London. The river and river mouth are picturesque, and we spent long days fishing on its banks.
Les Fry (Port Elizabeth)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Cintsa View
This luxury double storey holiday home is located 500m from the beach on the Wild Coast of South Africa. Sleeping a maximum of 10 adults, Cintsa ...
Prana Beach House
Prana Beach House is a refined retreat for those seeking sophisticated relaxation and celebration. Ideal for family getaways or intimate gatherin...
Milkwood Bend Farm Resort
We offer five caravan units on our family-run seaside farm in the Eastern Cape. The establishment has a playground for the kids, an indoor games ...
Chintsa Beach Apartments
Chintsa Beach Apartments is ideally located on the lagoon, providing direct beach access and breathtaking ocean views. This establishment offers ...
Areena Riverside Resort
The accommodation offers a self-catering experience where you can wake up to the call of the Fish Eagles. Choose from a range of luxurious, fully...
Casli's Cottage
Casli's Cottage is a uniquely designed and perfectly positioned family home that has been divided into three apartments catering for up-market an...
Buccaneers On the Beach
Buccaneers On the Beach sprawls across the incline overlooking the lagoon at Chintsa West, on the rugged Wild Coast of South Africa. With unbeata...
Cinsta Sands Guesthouse
Situated 4km from Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, Chintsa Sands Guests House offers accommodation on a bed only basis. The beach is just 50m aw...
Crawford's Beach Lodge
Set along the Wild Coast, Crawford's Beach Lodge offers rustic luxury accommodation for the most discerning of travellers, who are looking for pr...
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve is situated within an area of one hundred square kilometers encompassing five different biomes which offer varied game v...
Prana Lodge
Prana Lodge is a unique Boutique Hotel and Wellness Spa situated in a pristine forest alongside the spectacular Chintsa Bay, Cintsa East in the E...
Things to do in the area
Areena Quays Restaurant
Based along the Wild Coast, Areena Quays at the Areena Riverside Resort is a tranquil family restaurant that offers a picturesque setting. Areena...
Cintsa Beach
Whether you're staying in East London for a family vacation, honeymoon or business trip, its beaches are non-negotiable additions to your itinera...
Yellow Sands Beach
Yellow Sands Beach is a fantastic and enjoyable fishing spot for anglers and those going out on a boat. There is a boat launch spot here, also su...
Learn To Surf in Cintsa
Learning to surf? Join African Heartland Journeys Surf School and learn to surf on a 15km stretch of uncrowded beach.Operating from Buccaneers B...
Noteworthy attractions
Wild Coast Sun Country Club
The Wild Coast Sun Country Club is a rugged beauty of a course. Carts are compulsory but this does not detract from the competitive challenge. Th...
Hole In The Wall
The Hole in the Wall at Coffee Bay is a unique structure with a huge detached cliff that has a giant opening carved through its centre by the wav...
Wild Coast Sun Golf Course
A memorable golf course situated on the magnificent Wild Coast. World-renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, has used the dramatic c...
Nelson Mandela Museum
The Museum offers visitors an inspiring journey through the life of Nelson Mandela. Known affectionately as 'Madiba', he is loved and respected w...
Silaka Nature Reserve
The Silaka Nature Reserve serves to protect the biodiversity of the coastal forest in the region, and stretches along the coastline between Secon...
Dwesa Cwebe Nature Reserves
The two fairly small sister nature reserves of Dwesa and Cwebe lie separated only by the Mbashe River on the central wild coast, bordered on one ...
Hluleka Nature Reserve
The virtually undiscovered Hluleka Nature Reserve lies roughly 20 kilometres south of Port St Johns on South Africa's Wild Coast, a part of the w...
Luchaba Nature Reserve
Close to the town of Umtata, now known as Mthatha, lies the charming 460 hectare nature reserve of Luchaba. Luchaba Nature Reserve lies adjacent ...
Magwa Waterfall
The Magwa waterfall is pretty impressive. It is one of few waterfalls on the rugged Wild Coast that is accessible – others entail such effort to ...
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