From Cape Town to Maptaland the range of beach and ocean-side destinations in South Africa is quite bewildering. From the potential for on-road/off-road and self-drive touring to dive, golf, whale watching, shark diving, beachside spa and wellness, big, small and medium game fishing, and if nothing else the great food and wine culture of the Cape set against a backdrop of endless temperate coastline that speaks in hushed tones of the elegance and sophistication of Cape society.
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Shark diving and in particular shark cage diving has become very popular in South Africa in the last few years. The controversy is that some people are linking the increased chumming of waters (blood and fish guts) to increased shark attacks on our shores. Diving in cages is also a whole day affair, including boats, waves and potentially vomit. While they may not be an alternative to seeing a Great White gnashing through bars to get to your face, on land there is another option which may suffice.
On our wedding anniversary, for reasons unknown, Sarah gave me a ticket to dive with the sharks at the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. This is done in the huge central tank, without a cage and for all patrons to see, much like the Coliseum.
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Hidey Ho’ fellow travelers! It’s time to revisit an amazing hostel, or rather a backpacker’s village. Spread over 8 hectares of wild coastal forest hillside - with your choice of either the Indian Ocean or the Cintsa Lagoon to splash around in - Buccaneers Backpackers’ outstanding reputation reaches most backpackers before they even leave Cape Town or Joburg.
Book your stay at Buccaneers.
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I had heard about this unique backpackers’ somewhere on SA’s Wild Coast while travelling in St. Lucia - but time was catching up with me and I didn’t think I could get down to Coffee Bay.
Bomvu Surf School
But as you may know, backpacking trips seldom stick to the original itinerary, and - lo and behold! - within a week the Baz Bus dropped me off at the Shell Ultra city in Umtata for my 3-day stay at Bomvu Paradise Backpackers.
That was in November 2005. I finally left in January 2006!
Read more on Trekker’s backpacking adventures through South Africa on the Baz Bus: Baz Bus Blog.
Book your stay at Bomvu - and keep reading to find out what you’ll be doing there!
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South Africa’s coastline is almost 3,000 km long, offering a wonderful variety of experiences. In this series, SA Blog dips a toe in the country’s major destination coasts.
The Sunshine Coast
Where: The long, sun-drenched Indian Ocean coastal strip between Jeffrey’s Bay and East London, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province.
Attractions: Jeffrey’s Bay, a major surfing center in SA; plenty more surfing in addition to J-Bay; Addo Elephant Park, inland from the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMMM - a.k.a. Port Elizabeth); Port Elizabeth, one of SA’s major cities, and East London, a river port city, …
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Well there is no sight of the mysterious iceberg that was sighted last week at 6pm on Monday, 35 nautical miles south east of St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape by the crew of the fishing vessel Ntini.
The air force on routine patrol were asked to keep a lookout for the bobbing block, but it was nowhere to be found. Read excerpts below:
“According to the crew of the Ntini, the iceberg is about 25 metres in length and 20 metres in height and was spotted south east of St Francis Bay, 35 nautical miles off shore,” he said. It was first seen at 6pm on Monday. “But, we must take into consideration, that they flew in unfavourable weather conditions where there were high waves,” he said.
“It’s very unlikely because of the warm Agulhas current off the east coast,” he said.
“The history of iceberg climatology in this area also shows that there has never been anything like this in the past,” he said.
Hunter said the ‘South African Sailing Direction’, a book published by the Hydrographic Office under the South African Navy, mentions that there were a few iceberg sightings in the 1850s near Cape Town.
He said there was also a report from a ship in 2002 off the Cape west coast of a piece of ice, about a metre-high above the water.
“We refer to this as a ‘growler’ because it is very small. Bearing in mind the cold Cape Town water, this was, to an extent, acceptable,” he said.
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The first weekend in December marks the beginning of Summer here, which usually means the arrival of the “Cape Doctor” or South Easter. The very reliable and persistent wind that blows most of the summer, clears away pollution and fills the sails of hundreds of kite surfers. But not today… We were forecast 40km winds, but given a measly 11. Perhaps tomorrow.
Cape Town and in particular the Tableview, Kite Beach and Blouberg (blue mountain) areas, are among the hottest spots on the international kiting circuit. A huge influx of international kite surfers and
…
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“What’s up, all you dudes and dudettes out there?” If you are into surfing or sunning yourself on a FANTASTIC beach, do I have news for you! Island Vibe - in Jeffrey’s Bay, Eastern Cape - is the premium backpackers for any surfer or surfer wannabe. With a back gate leading right onto the beach, a beach that stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions, you can live out your dream of riding the next wave all day.
Book your stay at Island Vibe.
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SA Blog is touring South Africa on the Baz Bus, following the adventures of intrepid Baz Blogger Kathy - a.k.a. “Trekker”.
Wild Coast Splendor
Beginning our Leg Two coverage of the Baz Bus route, we leave Port Elizabeth (a.k.a. NMMM) traverse the Sunshine Coast and head into the Wild Coast. This is the section of the Baz Bus route where if they offered frequent rider miles I would have earned 2 round trip tickets.
See Baz Bus route map | Book Baz Bus ticket
BAZ STOP: PORT ALFRED
During the numerous runs I made on the Baz Bus up and down this coast I never did get a chance to stop in at Port Alfred. Some call this small town “The Heart of the Sunshine Coast”, and from what I heard it lives up to its name. From excursions up the Kowie River to lazing on pristine beaches, activities abound in this little village. Hop on the train at the Station Backpackers and visit Bathurst with South Africa’s first pub, The Pig ‘n Whistle or for those who like to live dangerously…. visit the Bathurst Museum for The World’s BIGGEST PINEAPPLE!
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SA Blog is exploring South Africa on the Baz Bus, following the adventures of intrepid Baz Blogger Kathy - a.k.a. “Trekker”.
Continuing our Leg One coverage of the Baz Bus route, we pull out of the Garden Route, and into the Eastern Cape. But first a -
DINNER BREAK
Somewhere between Storms River and Cape St. Francis, the Baz Bus pulls into a little diner, where you can get some pretty good sandwiches, or go to the Steers for a hamburger.
We now enter the Eastern Cape (home of two major destination coasts: the Sunshine Coast and the Wild Coast), three stops away from our mandatory overnight.
See Baz Bus Route Map | Book Baz Bus Ticket
BAZ STOP: CAPE ST. FRANCIS
This first stop in the Eastern Cape is a relatively unknown surfers’ paradise. However, the legendary waves at Cape St. Francis can often be evasive. While I didn’t have a chance to stop here, I heard amazing things and it sounded like a good place to chill and maybe do a little fishing.
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