About Port Elizabeth Beaches

There is loads of beachfront accommodation in Port Elizabeth, which is wonderful news for visitors that want to enjoy a summer of sun, sea, and endless stretches of golden sands. Port Elizabeth is part of Nelson Mandela Bay; and is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. Still, the Eastern Cape remains a relatively quiet province, which means that, even in the peak of the holiday season, there will be a spot on one of the PE beaches for you to pop up an umbrella and relax.

Did you know? What makes the beaches of Port Elizabeth so gorgeous is that the water is warm, thanks to its being from the Indian Ocean, and most of the beaches are safe for swimming.

On average, the water in the bay is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius in summer and between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius in winter. During the busy summer months, there are lifeguards on duty. In Algoa Bay, the beaches are particularly good for swimming, stand-up paddling, kayaking and sailing. Kings Beach, Pollock Beach, Humewood Beach, and Hobie Beach are the most popular swimming beaches in this area and are fabulous for families and those wanting to enjoy a splash in the waves. These are all along the main beachfront stretch that lies on the doorstep of the suburbs of Summerstrand and Humewood.

Kings Beach is 1.6 kilometres long; so there is plenty of room for runners, dog-walkers, and those that want to play beach games on the sand. It’s also home to super-tubes (a very small waterpark), where little ones love racing down the winding tubes into the pool below. Hobie Beach is flanked by restaurants and fast-food spots, and is home to the famous Shark Rock Pier. Pollock Beach is gorgeous for swimming and surfing, and also has a small tidal pool, which is ideal for children. These beaches are only a few minutes from the airport, malls and restaurants of the Friendly City. Three of these beaches (Hobie, Kings, and a little beach called Humewood) have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag status.

On the “wilder side” of Port Elizabeth (that is, not in the bay), there are stunning beaches too. The waters here tend to be bigger and less tamed, and there can be rips and currents sometimes. So, if you’re planning to swim, be aware of what the water is doing and of how to stay safe. These beaches include Maitlands, Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay.

Sardinia Bay, affectionately known as Sards, is spectacular; with its white dunes, intriguing rock pools, and waters that change from blue to green to turquoise. Maitlands is famous for its massive sand dunes, and whether you have a sand-board to tackle them, or you just want to roll down for what will feel like eternity, you’re guaranteed of one thing – FUN. Schoenmakerskop has more rugged shores, littered with rock pools and tidal pools that promise endless discoveries and treasures for curious visitors.

The best surfing beaches in PE include Beachview, Sardinia Bay, Noordhoek, Humewood, Pollock and Hobie. Families that prefer to picnic on the sand and let little ones play in the water should head down to Kings and Pollock beaches.

Summer days can get windy in the afternoon, so families visiting Port Elizabeth could plan to spend the morning on the beach, and then head to the shops or entertainment centres later in the day.

Popular Port Elizabeth Beaches

Beaches & Pools / Family Entertainment

Hobie Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Summerstrand
Port Elizabeth may be the metropolitan hub of Nelson Mandela Bay, but it is probably best known for its gorgeous beaches. Long stretches of light-golden sands are ...

Beaches & Pools / Family Entertainment

King's Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Humewood
Port Elizabeth boasts a number of fabulous swimming beaches. Kings Beach is the largest and one of the most beautiful, as it is characterised by a 2 kilometre long ...

Beaches & Pools

Beachview Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Beachview
While Port Elizabeth is known for its beautiful coastline, Beachview offers something completely different from the usual swimming beaches. This entire area is more ...

Beaches & Pools

Humewood Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Humewood
As Port Elizabeth’s only Blue Flag Beach (2013), Humewood Beach stands apart for its quality, beauty and safety. It is fabulous for swimming, sun-tanning and even ...

Beaches & Pools

Maitlands Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Maitlands
Maitland Beach, known by locals simply as Maitlands, is an exquisite beach that is expansive and pristine. It is known for its seemingly endless stretches of white ...

Beaches & Pools

Pollock Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Summerstrand
Port Elizabethans can't seem to decide whether to spell their beach Pollok or Pollock. Which doesn't faze visitors any. Because Pollock Beach is also known ...

Beaches & Pools

Sardinia Bay Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Sardinia Bay
Affectionately known to the locals as Sards, Sardinia Bay Beach is an absolutely spectacular beach on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth’s suburban centre. This beach ...

Beaches & Pools

Schoenmakerskop Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Lovemore Heights
Schoenmakerskop Beach is full of rock pools, coves, shell-laden beaches and perfect picnic spots. Young ones love climbing the rocks, examining the rock pools, ...

Beaches & Pools

St Georges Strand

Overnight? Accommodation in St Georges Park
St Georges Strand is a lesser-known member of the Port Elizabeth beaches. This is due to its being rather far removed from the town centre, as well as the dangerous ...

Beaches & Pools

Van Stadens Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Van Stadens
Van Stadens, as an area, lies about 45 kilometres from Port Elizabeth; almost halfway to Jeffrey’s Bay. It is characterised by the deep gorge, the Van Stadens River ...

Beaches & Pools

New Brighton Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Bluewater Bay
You’ll find the New Brighton Beach just before Bluewater Bay in Port Elizabeth. If you don’t feel like getting your feet wet in the waves make use of the ...

Beaches & Pools / Water Sports / Family Entertainment

Bluewater Bay Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Bluewater Bay
On the outskirts of Port Elizabeth, where the ocean is wilder and the air is laced with sea spray, are the laid-back suburb of Bluewater Bay and its beach of the ...

Fishing / Beaches & Pools

Swartkops Beach

Overnight? Accommodation in Bluewater Bay
On the outskirts of the industrial area of Port Elizabeth, heading towards the world-renowned Addo Elephant National Park, is the tiny sandy stretch of the ...

Need to Know

WherePort Elizabeth Beaches, along the Port Elizabeth Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa

WhenBest During Daylight Hours

OvernightStay in Port Elizabeth Accommodation, Eastern Cape

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Beaches of the Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape boasts 800 km of unspoilt picturesque coastlines where blue oceans tumble onto quiet beaches. Find out more about Eastern Cape's beaches.

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