Hotels in Port St Johns

Port St Johns: Wild Coast Gateway on the Umzimvubu River

Port St Johns sits where the Umzimvubu River meets the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape, roughly 280 km south-west of Durban. Two dramatic cliffs — The Gates — frame the river mouth and define the town's silhouette. The surrounding coastline belongs to the Wild Coast, one of South Africa's least-developed stretches of shoreline, where forested gorges reach the sea and traditional Mpondo communities maintain centuries-old land tenure. The area falls within the former Transkei homeland, and that political geography still shapes land ownership and the pace of development today.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Accommodation clusters across three zones: First Beach near the river mouth, Second Beach favoured by swimmers and backpackers, and Third Beach for those seeking quiet. Most properties are guesthouses, backpacker lodges, and self-catering cottages. The R61 from Mthatha (90 km inland) is the sole sealed road in; the drive takes roughly 90 minutes on a winding mountain road. No scheduled air service operates to Port St Johns — Mthatha Airport is the nearest terminal.

Practical Tips

• Swimming: Second Beach has calmer surf; rip currents are strong at First and Third Beach year-round.
• Season: November to February brings heavy rain; May to September offers drier, cooler conditions ideal for hiking.
• Mobile data: MTN and Vodacom coverage is intermittent — download offline maps before arrival.
• Cash: ATM availability is limited; carry sufficient rands from Mthatha.