Port Elizabeth Beaches

About Port Elizabeth Beaches

There is loads of beachfront accommodation in Port Elizabeth, which is wonderful news for visitors that want to enjoy a summer of sun, sea, and endless stretches of golden sands. Port Elizabeth is part of Nelson Mandela Bay; and is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. Still, the Eastern Cape remains a relatively quiet province, which means that, even in the peak of the holiday season, there will be a spot on one of the PE beaches for you to pop up an umbrella and relax.

Did you know? What makes the beaches of Port Elizabeth so gorgeous is that the water is warm, thanks to its being from the Indian Ocean, and most of the beaches are safe for swimming.

On average, the water in the bay is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius in summer and between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius in winter. During the busy summer months, there are lifeguards on duty. In Algoa Bay, the beaches are particularly good for swimming, stand-up paddling, kayaking and sailing. Kings Beach, Pollock Beach, Humewood Beach, and Hobie Beach are the most popular swimming beaches in this area and are fabulous for families and those wanting to enjoy a splash in the waves. These are all along the main beachfront stretch that lies on the doorstep of the suburbs of Summerstrand and Humewood.

Kings Beach is 1.6 kilometres long; so there is plenty of room for runners, dog-walkers, and those that want to play beach games on the sand. It's also home to super-tubes (a very small waterpark), where little ones love racing down the winding tubes into the pool below. Hobie Beach is flanked by restaurants and fast-food spots, and is home to the famous Shark Rock Pier. Pollock Beach is gorgeous for swimming and surfing, and also has a small tidal pool, which is ideal for children. These beaches are only a few minutes from the airport, malls and restaurants of the Friendly City. Three of these beaches (Hobie, Kings, and a little beach called Humewood) have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag status.

On the “wilder side” of Port Elizabeth (that is, not in the bay), there are stunning beaches too. The waters here tend to be bigger and less tamed, and there can be rips and currents sometimes. So, if you're planning to swim, be aware of what the water is doing and of how to stay safe. These beaches include Maitlands, Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay.

Sardinia Bay, affectionately known as Sards, is spectacular; with its white dunes, intriguing rock pools, and waters that change from blue to green to turquoise. Maitlands is famous for its massive sand dunes, and whether you have a sand-board to tackle them, or you just want to roll down for what will feel like eternity, you're guaranteed of one thing – FUN. Schoenmakerskop has more rugged shores, littered with rock pools and tidal pools that promise endless discoveries and treasures for curious visitors.

The best surfing beaches in PE include Beachview, Sardinia Bay, Noordhoek, Humewood, Pollock and Hobie. Families that prefer to picnic on the sand and let little ones play in the water should head down to Kings and Pollock beaches.

Summer days can get windy in the afternoon, so families visiting Port Elizabeth could plan to spend the morning on the beach, and then head to the shops or entertainment centres later in the day.