Port St Johns

Port St Johns is a town on the Wild Coast of South Africa.

Renowned worldwide for its open beaches, awesome weather and wild waters, Port St Johns and the Wild Coast offer visitors to South Africa an opportunity to experience unspoiled Africa.

Visitors to the small town of Port St Johns will encounter an eclectic mix of local characters and African flair. The friendly chaos of this bustling coastal community is inviting and mesmerizing. Many visitors describe their experiences here as “distinctly African”; striking a balance between the changing face of rural South Africa and traditional recognition of the past.



By bus
The fastest way to get in and out of Port St Johns is catch a taxi from the Rank in Port St Johns to Durban. Takes about 4 hours and is about R110.

The Baz Bus runs along the Wild Coast on its way between Port Elizabeth and Durban making it one of the best options in this part of the country for the more pampered traveller. The Baz Bus does not serve Port St Johns and a drop off for the Port St Johns hostels is made at Mthatha.

Best public transport from Mthatha to Port St Johns is on the public taxis (R31 each way.) Catch a taxi from Circus Triangle (ask anywhere in town and someone will guide you) or phone the Port St Johns backpacker operation ahead of time and they will organise collection for you.

However, on the whole public transport, apart from the ever present day-time-only taxis, in the Wild Coast is sparse.

By car
There are two ways to get to Port St Johns by road. On the R61 from Mthatha the N2 highway to Durban or East London) or in a winding route north-east to Port Edward on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Cars can be rented at the Mthatha airport.

By plane
Fly directly in to Port St Johns and land on top of Mount Theisger.

There is an airport in Mthatha serviced by the national airline SA Airlink from Durban International Airport or Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport direct to Mthatha.

Get around

 * Walk around town
 * Drive the Wild Coast
 * Take a ferry on the river
 * Hiking
 * Bushwalk
 * Birdwatching

See

 * Explore Second Beach and Silaka Nature Reserve by foot
 * Visit town and the Lighthouse by foot
 * Do Mpantu and Agate Terrace by vehicle
 * Visit the top of the town by vehicle - Gap and Airstrip
 * Visit the top of the town by foot - Sullivan or Thesiger walks
 * The River: canoeing, lunch at Mpantu and Sulphur Springs
 * Take a drive out of town to see Magwa Falls

Do

 * Angling. Sea fishing is a must do during your stay. The locals will be happy to show you the best places to catch a bite.
 * Surfing. Lifeguards on duty at 2nd Beach and Agate Terrace.
 * Diving. To dive at the Wild Coast is to discover the fascinating beauty of the underwater world - unspoilt, colourful, alive.
 * Horse riding. There are various places to hire horses in the area.
 * Walking. There are many hikes along the coast or in the mountains.
 * Hiking. The Wild Coast Hiking Trail offers backpackers some of the most spectacular coastal wilderness in southern Africa.
 * Birdwatching
 * Boardsailing
 * Boat trips
 * Canoeing
 * Beach combing and shelling
 * Golf

Volunteer
There are several small-scale volunteer programs in the area. Projects range from preschool, junior and secondary schools to after school and community projects.