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MMany of the adventure activities to be enjoyed in Port Elizabeth have an association with the ocean that marks the eastern border of this coastal city, part of the Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.
With 40km of unspoiled coastline, golden sandy beaches and rocky shores, angling is a much-favoured pastime, while a more challenging option is to join a deep-sea fishing charter and head out into the Indian Ocean to try your luck.
Spend a morning learning about the fish found in Algoa Bay by visiting the Oceanarium at Bayworld, or go diving and discover many species that inhabit offshore wrecks off the Port Elizabeth coastline.
A popular scuba-diving site is St Croix Island, 20km from the Port Elizabeth harbour, where fishing is prohibited and the result is large populations of penguins and cormorants. The best time for diving is during the winter months, when visibility is between 8m and 15m.
Port Elizabeth also boasts superb beaches such as Kings Beach, Hobie Beach for water sports and beach festivals, Pollock Beach for surfing, Blue flag status Humewood Beach and Bluewater Bay for long walks.
If you're a keen cyclist, there are a number of mountain biking trails, the most popular being the 23km Baakens River trail and the 22km circular route along the Zwartkops Valley Nature Reserve.
Port Elizabeth also features 4x4 trail territory to suit varying skill levels. There are also opportunities to enjoy quad biking, dune biking and horse rides along the beach or in wildlife reserves.
For extreme adventurers there is sea kayaking and canoeing, and the natural crags near the city provide a landscape suited to rock climbing, gorge gliding, abseiling and paragliding.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)41 582 2575
Email: info@nmbt.co.za
How to get here
Port Elizabeth is easily accessible by aircraft, car or bus.
Things to do
The Donkin Heritage Trail is a 5km walking trail along the old hill and past Victorian landmarks of central Port Elizabeth. There are also boat tours for whale spotting and wildlife reserves outside the metropolitan area for big game viewing.
What to pack
Lots of sunscreen, a hat (that won’t blow off in the wind), sunglasses, beach wear, and comfortable walking shoes
Where to stay
There are good-quality hotels and B&Bs in Port Elizabeth.
What to eat
The seafood is excellent.
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