Shelley Beach

About Shelley Beach

Along the laid-back stretch of coastline that is dedicated to the little holiday town of Kenton-on-Sea, the warm waters lap lazily on the Shelley Beach shores. This part of the Eastern Cape Province (South Africa) is quiet for most of the year, until the summer months of December and January, when a few travellers come here to unwind and take in the untouched beauty of the coast. Still, it is never quite overrun with tourists.

Shelley Beach is a scenic cove, situated close to the magnificent Bushman's River Mouth, surrounded by the rugged faces of the coastal cliffs and topped off by the clear blue of the African sky. The 20-minute dune hike (perhaps 30 minutes for those that want to take their time) to get to this secluded spot is well worth the gorgeous views and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This walk starts at Middle Beach or the Bushman's River Mouth parking lot.

The beach is ideal for couples and families that want to soak up the South African sunshine, read a book in the midst of serenity, or play beach games. Plenty of sharp shells blanket the beach, so visitors should bring a pair of shoes along.

Thanks to the rocky amphitheatre of cliffs surrounding the beach, it is quite sheltered during the windy afternoons of the Eastern Cape.

At low tide, the beach is perfect for snorkelling, SCUBA diving, or simply exploring the delights of the rock pools, which are just teeming with marine life. This is also the best time for swimming, as high tide can get a little wild, which makes for incredible scenes and excellent photographs. The dumper waves are ideal for body surfing, and the blasting holes are such fun for the young and young-at-heart.

Kenton-on-Sea is a small town, characterised by holiday homes and quirky little stores. It lies between the Bushman's River and the Kariega River, between Port Elizabeth and East London. It is charming, tranquil and wonderfully inviting.