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St Francis Bay Information Guide

Having recently celebrated it’s 50 th anniversary, St Francis Bay, on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa, has come a long way. 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.

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, twists and winds its tranquil way down to a magnificent marina where the gracious white walled thatched homes are reflected in the quiet water of the canals.The Bay - a magnificent white, gently sloping beach provides safe bathing as well as some of the finest rock and surf angling on the East Coast. The bay itself is world famous for its waves and is frequented by surfers from all over South Africa and overseas.A Small Boat Harbour lies in a sheltered nook of the bay and provides a picturesque setting and safe anchorage for calamari boats, pleasure craft and ocean going yachts. Shops and a hotel will soon complete the development. An airport nearby caters for those who wish to fly.ActivitiesSt Francis Lighthouse Marks one of the 'corners' of the African coast. It was erected to warn ships of the presence of a reef that protrudes beyond Sea Point, almost a kilometer out to sea. Hiking - Sand River If you are lucky, you may see the beautiful Crystal Pools. The water in the Sand River flows underground, over the hard rocky substrate that underlines the dunes. After heavy rains, the water table rises to form Crystal Pools. Eco Boat Cruises Enjoy boat cruises around the Bay. You'll discover abundant bird and marine life - including penguins, whales and dolphins. Boats may not venture closer than 300m to any whale. River Cruises Explore the upper reaches of the Kromme River on a comfortable motor launch. Stop over at Stony Boma River Camp for a picnic or barbeque. After lunch, relax or go for a hike, canoeing, fishing or birding on the river. Surfing A photographer in the 60's Bruce Brown, searched the world for the Perfect Wave. He found it at St Francis Bay, and named it 'Bruce's Beauties' - St Francis Bay is one of the world's great surf spots. Marina Cruise Take an hour-long trip and sip a soothing drink or two as you experience South Africa's own 'Little Venice' aboard a comfortable cruiser. Irma Booysen Flora Reserve The Reserve lies within 200m of the Cape St. Francis Resort. A walk through the reserve is a must-do for all lovers of fynbos. Maps and plant guides are available.