St Francis Bay

St Francis Bay is situated on the Eastern Cape coast of Sout

St Francis Bay is situated on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa. St Francis Bay includes areas starting with the Canals, the Village, Santarene and Port St Francis. Whereas the Canals and the Village feature mostly thatched homes, Santarene features Spanish and Tuscan style homes. Port St Francis is the most recent property development and features marina flats, townhouses and lots of restaurants, shops and hotels in close proximity.

Nowhere in the whole of South Africa will you find a village as pleasing to the eye, as St Francis Bay. It defies description, and has to be seen to be believed. The village has evolved out of the vision of a man with an eye for aesthetics. Leighton Hulett started the town from a fishing camp of thatched rondavels, and friends who came to stay were so enchanted with the place, that they asked to be able to buy a piece of ground to build a place of their own.

His insistence on a specific style of architecture, preserving character, ensured the development of a village that is quite unique. And thus the township was born. It is no ordinary town but a harmonious blend of black and white homes, set against a background of azure sea, linked by canals by a wide river, white beaches and gentle greenery. It needs no artificial aids to beauty as the architecture provides a charm exuded by no other place. A Mediterranean section maintains the special quality of the village with its warm coloured walls and red roofs. Come and experience what St Francis Bay has to offer . Youll be sure to return again and again.

The picturesque holiday village of St Francis Bay lies nestled among the green clad dunes lining the beautiful Bay of St Francis. Dolphins and whales play along the shoreline while the sounds of gulls echo lazily overhead. The Kromme River, navigable for 10 km upstream from the mouth, twists and winds it’s tranquil way down to the azure sea creating a paradise for fisherman, boating enthusiasts, canoeists, windsurfers and the marine creatures which shelter in it’s waters. Linked to the river is a magnificent marina where the unique architecture, gracious white walled thatched homes, is reflected in the tranquil waters of the canals. Situated only a hour’s drive from the city of Port Elizabeth, the climate is temperate with warm summers and mild winters. A magnificent white, gently sloping beach extends approximately 3 km from the main bathing area to the river mouth and even beyond, providing safe bathing for young and old – a place to soak up the sun. The bay itself is world famous for it’s waves and is frequented by surfers from all over South Africa and overseas. The waters of the bay are ideally suited to hobie catting, windsurfing, rubber ducking, surfing, paddleskiing – in fact any sort of water sport. St Francis boasts some of the fines rock and surf angling along the east coast and hours of pleasant leisure can be enjoyed fishing, upstream on the Kromme River, or even from your own jetty on the canals of the marina. A nature lover could lose himself in the natural beauty of the area, with pristine hiking and biking trails through the Cape St Francis Nature Reserve with it’s fynbos (fine leafed plants) and antelope, along the dune river system with it’s unique landscape, or along white expanses of beach. Birdlife is abundant with over 200 species recorded in the area, including the rare African Oystercatcher and magnificent Fish Eagle. Excellent accommodation is available in St Francis Bay in well-appointed lodges, guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments where the emphasis is on friendliness and quality. A quaint shopping centre caters for visitors’ needs and a variety of restaurants

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Humansdorp 22 km, Jeffreys Bay 40 km, Port Elizabeth 111 km, Plettenberg Bay 164 km

Average Rainfall: 660 m mainly in the cooler months

Average Temperature

Summer 29,7°c – 35°c; Winter 5°c

Banks

Fnb, ATM’s Absa, Standard

Mountains - Kouga Mountain Range

Rivers – Kromme River

NATURE

Cape St Francis Nature Reserve

The 36 ha Cape St Francis Nature Reserve includes endangered coastal dunes fynbos. Access to the reserve is completely unrestricted, but users are encouraged to regard this as a fully protected conservation area. There are a number of popular angling spots within the reserve. To reach the entrance, simply drive to the very end of St Francis Drive (south). It is ideal walking country and enthusiasts will find the birdlife excellent. In fact, about 60 of the approximately 360 found in the area have been spotted between the village and the reserve. Wildlife, such as bushbuck, grey duiker, grey mongoose, Egyptian mongoose, vervet monkeys, etc,can be seen, as well as the more elusive species such as lynx, cape fox, black backed jackal and the spotted genet. In the mornings and early evenings look out for the Cape Clawless otter swimming a short distance off the rocks. These delightful creatures are a joy to observe, diving for crabs and fish and sometimes coming up onto the rocks to eat

Climate

St Francis lies between the winter and summer rainfall areas. There is no clear wet or dry season. Although the rainfall is higher in spring and autumn, and less in summer. The weather is unpredictable with some warm days in spring and autumn, and less in summer. The weather is unpredictable with some warm days in winter and some cold days in summer.

Recreation

The reserve has a network of short trails that hikers can walk, or choose to walk only parts of starting either from St Francis Bay or Cape St Francis side. Sandy Beach to The Point (5 km / 2 – 3 hours) from Cape St Francis to the far point and back. Circular route. From the entrance at St Francis Bay or Cape St Francis via the beacon viewpoint to the rocky coast and far point and back along the southern shore. Cape St Francis to St Francis Bay (1 km / 30 min – 1 hour). From the entrances either on St Francis Bay or Cape St Francis side to the other side. This trail also links the two villages. A 4x4 trail runs from Cape St Francis to the the southern shore of the nature reserve, permits are obtainable from the St Francis Bay municipality offices. Fishing is allowed along the coast, according to the bag limits. Dogs may be walked on leashes. No animals may be disturbed or any plants removed. No fires are allowed.

Irma Booysen Flora Reserve

Rich in indigenous fynbos, is situated at Cape St Francis. Trails have been developed in the reserveand these link with the trails on the Cape St Francis Reserve at Shark Point taking the hiker along a beautiful coastal area.

Sand River

A 15 km corridor of moving sands – an interesting hike

ATTRACTIONS

The Cape St Francis Lighthouse

Located at Seal Point, the lighthouse offers spectacular views from the top.

Rules and Regulations

Visitors must check in with lighthouse keeper immediately on arrival. Children under the age of six years and anyone unable to climb up and down the lighthouse stairs unaided are not allowed up the lighthouse. Large groups must notify the lighthouse keeper before their visit, and school groups must be accompanied by teachers who are responsible for the control, discipline and responsibility of guiding the group up and down the lighthouse.

Santareme Bay

Is a residential development in the Mediterranean style of architecture – terra cotta tiled roofs, pastel walls.

St Francis Small Boat Harbour

Lies in a sheltered hook of the bay and provide a picturesque setting and safe anchorage for calamari boats, pleasure craft, and ocean going yachts. Attractive residential units overlook the harbour. Surrounding the harbour is the Spanish style section of the village with red tiled roofs, arches and warm earth-coloured walls. An airpark nearby caters for those who wish to fly in.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Short Walks

(a)The walk along the beach to the mouth of the Kromme River is always a pleasure especially in low tide when the sand is firmer. Watch out for cowries and pansy shells near the estuary.

(b) it is possible to follow fishermen’s paths along the shore from St Francis Bay township to Cape St Francis. The going is slightly rough in places and an easier path can be followed by keeping on the road until Second Bush. (End of St Francis Drive) and then following the coast along the rocks to the point. Beyond the dunes area lies a nature reserve. A keen observer will find otter and other tracks.

(c) The point may also be approached from the township of Cape St Francis at Seal Point. Start along the beach until reaching the rocks for Shelly Beach, then follow the jeep trail to the point. Shelly beach lives up to it’s name and is also a good fishing area.

(d) Dune walking can be very pleasant after rain and on a cool day. the Sand River area iws more interesting than would appear from first sight. There are small hidden ponds with interesting birdlife, remains of old Strandloper middens and beautiful views of the surrounding country. To reach this area merely leave the main road halfway between the township and the Kromme bridge and head westwards across the dunes. These extend about 19 km all the way to Oyster Bay so just turn back when you have had enough. Guided tours are suggested and are available on request at the Publicity Office. There are sinking sands in certain places. Remember all ecological sites are protected under the National Monuments Act and offenders will be prosecuted for removing anything.

1. An interesting walk can be made westwards from the township of Cape St Francis at Seal Point. Fairly easy walking can be made along the shore and on vehicle tracks to the seaside shacks at Mosters Hoek and takes about an hour. Look for old ships’ anchors beyond the first gate and the old boiler of HMS Osprey, one of Britian’s first wooden battle ships wrecked about 500 m further along. There is a spectacular blowhole among the rocks about 1,6 km beyond the Osprey boiler. This, of course, is only visible at high tides.

Medium Walks

1. cross the bridge and drive on the road towards Humansdorp until the first right hand turning (signboard Du Toit’s Farm). Proceed along here to the township on the eastern bank, a large tree with a bush nearby will be seen about 50 m to the right. This bush conceals a very interesting grave with a lettered beadstone of a high born English lady buried here in 1848 and whose grave remains an intriguing mystery. Leave your car or boat and walk along the beach to Paradise Beach or to Jeffreys Bay if you have the energy. This is a very interesting beach walk taking about an hour to Paradise Beach or two an a half hours to Jeffereys Bay.

1. To Oyster Bay (about 4,5 hours). Halfway to Seal Point turn to the right off the main road where it takes a sharp turn to the left. Follow this road until just beyond the first gate where it then takes the right fork. About 3 km further on one comes to the entrance gate to the Rebel’s Rust Nature Reserve. It is advisable to leave one’s car at this point and proceed on foot. The trail passes Scholtz Bay where there are some shacks and some 4,8 km further on reaches the long beach of Thys Bay. At the further end of Thys Bay, a track continues westward but at the first gate it is advisable to follow the fishermen’s paths to the actual shore, where remains of ancient Strandloper fish traps can be seen in the wide sea gully. Beyond this and about 1,6 km further on, there is a beautiful sheltered beach suitable for bathing, with a fresh water spring running into the sea. The following 3,8 km to Oyster Bay can either be traveled by fishermen’s paths or along a well used car track

1. The area around the Elandsjagt Dam has been declared a nature area and a very interesting walk can be made along the the dam within the fenced area. This is cross country stuff with almost no paths to follow but the stretch on the southern bank from the wall to the filtration works is mostly open veld and not too difficult to walk. There is quite a large variety of wildfowl to be seen, with several species of antelope etc.

Long Walks

A longer walk, about nine hours, but a very pleasant one, can be made from Oyster Bay to Huisklip at the mouth of the Tsitsikamma River. There is no trouble following the coast by the usual fishermen’s paths. The above are just a few suggestions to anyone keen on walking. Members of the Kromme Trust committee and Publicity Association are always available to give advice and to suggest information sources. In this area there are two outstanding nature trails of five days duration each. They are the Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail and the famous Otter Trail. Bookings for these and full information can be obtained from the Forestry Office in Main Street, Humansdorp. Also in this area is the Cockscomb Mountain which is visible from the town. This mountain, just on 1800 metres high, is even more beautiful close up and is fairly easy climb with a very spacious cave and water supply 300 metres below the summit where one can sleep overnight. This is on private property and permission to climb must be obtained from the Mountain Club of South Africa which has an office below the grandstrand in St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. A walk up the Formosa Peak on a private farm in the Langkloof boasts the highest point of the Tsitsikamma and on a clear day you can see Plettenberg Bay. Details and bookings can be made at the tourist office.

Outdoors

Canal and River Cruises

Dolphin and Whale Watching

Horse Riding Trails

4x4 Trails

Hunting Safaris

Water Sports

Canoeing

Deep Sea Fishing

Fishing

Scuba Diving / Snorkelling

Surfing

Water Skiing

Yachting

Sport

With an excellent golf course, bowling greens and tennis courts for the sport enthusiasts

WHERE TO STAY

Thatchwood Country Lodge (St Francis)

Thactchwood Country Lodge at the golf course near the beach, is an idyllic retreat housed under graceful thatch and only one hour away from Port Elizabeth at the entrance from St Francis Bay. The relaxed atmosphere and personal service of the Dutch owners will ensure your stay will be a memorable one. Besides a full buffet and English breakfast served on the sunny veranda, a superb 3 course dinner can be enjoyed in the evening. Your hosts: Harrie & Maria Cooijmans

Accommodation in and around St Francis Bay