Sardinia Bay, Port Elizabeth

Sardinia Bay is one of those delightfully elusive coves that has managed to retain a certain amount of anonymity, despite being one of Port Elizabeth’s lesser discovered gems. Whilst the locals know all about Sardinia Bay, lying along Sardinia Bay Road between Schoenmakerskop and Sea View, many visitors only stumble upon the popular beach with picnic facilities by accident, and discover that it is not only one of the best walking beaches in the friendly city, but that it is a little piece of heaven.

Forfeiting a little time to get there - obviously Sardinia Bay, or 'Sards' as the locals refer to it, is not as easily accessible as Kings or Hobie Beach - is well worth the effort. It might not be the safest swimming beach, but it offers miles of unspoilt sand that effortlessly translates into a late afternoon or early morning stroll, and it was one of few beaches that still allows dogs.

Sardinia Bay also borders on the Chelsea Downs Nature Reserve, is a sandboarding enthusiast's haunt and a firm favourite with kite surfers, surfers (despite the strong undercurrents further offshore) and even horse riders.

It's an ideal way to avoid the crowds and bustling streets of Port Elizabeth whilst making sure you get your fair share of beach. What probably keeps the crowds at bay is the lack of facilities, but locals celebrate the fact that this beach remains a refuge during holiday season - although with articles such as this, the beach loses its anonymity with every passing year!

You can get to the Chelsea Downs Nature Reserve from the beach without a permit and there are a number of walks and trails through the reserve for horses and people.