St Francis Bay, Sunshine Coast
For the ultimate in a golfing holiday in South Africa, or a romantic getaway for two, staying in St Francis Bay is idyllic. Touted as the country’s answer to ‘little Venice’, St Francis Bay lies just 90 kilometres west of Port Elizabeth - a series of little man-made canals and waterways that lend themselves perfectly to boating, swimming and other water sports.
St Francis Bay is the playground of dolphins, whales and the wealthy, the bay magnificent with a white sandy St Francis Bay beach that offers some of the safest bathing on the coast and some fine opportunities to fish on the rocks. Surfers flock here, as they do to most of this part of the coast, for its waves; and the fabulous beaches are surrounded by nature reserves, making them alive with the calls of birds and an incredible escape from the city lifestyle that ensnares most of us.
It gets pretty tricky around here to remember just which St Francis you’re in. The bay includes Port St Francis, St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay. St Francis Bay lies alongside Cape St Francis at the estuary of the Kromme River, navigable for about 10 kilometres with many twists and turns that make it an amazing stretch along which to boat.
Essentially a little holiday village, St Francis Bay includes a marina and a wonderful collection of white-walled thatched homes set right on the waters of the canals. The small boat harbour here offers sheltered anchorage for fishing vessels and other ocean going vessels, and each home has its own mooring.
The St Francis Lighthouse, erected to warn ships of the reef that juts out beyond Sea Point, almost a kilometre out to sea, now marks one of the ‘corners’ of the African coast. The Irma Booysen Flora Reserve lies close by and offers some wonderful opportunities to see local fynbos. Otherwise, your time is given over to pleasure, eco and river cruises, surfing, swimming and generally enjoying the good life.
Additional Reading
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
WE LOVE YOU, ST FRANCIS BAY! Always an epic party over New Years and crazy-beautiful beaches! <3
Casey, Jo and Tegan (Cape Town)
Verified review
We stayed in one of the houses on the canal at St Francis Bay and it was simply stunning!! What a treat to wake up to that view every morning! We went paddling on the canals, swimming, eating out and getting to know some of the friendly locals. An all-round lovely time was had by all.
Alida (Port Elizabeth)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
23 St Georges Way
23 St Georges Way is a fully furnished private home within the secure Golf Estate, boasting spacious accommodation in a tranquil environment. Dis...
Ships Bell 16B
Ships Bell 16B is a self-catering holiday apartment in St Francis Bay with a stunning view over the whole marina with a beautiful sea view and Je...
St Francis Golf Lodge
A divine combination of elegant African style and laid back comfort awaits you at St Francis Golf Lodge, perfectly situated at the first hole of ...
Milkwood Country Cottage
Milkwood Country Cottage has unique charm and is situated in a village like no other St Francis Bay, gateway to the famed Garden Route, 1 hour aw...
River Kaya
River Kaya features two separate accommodation options, The Fish Eagle holiday house which accommodates 9 guests and The Backpackers unit with ro...
St Francis Bay House On The Canal
Have the perfect holiday in a beautiful, modern and spacious four bedroom, four bathroom house on the canals. A home for friends and family in th...
Quarter Deck 17
Quarter Deck 17 is a simple yet inviting apartment in the Port St Francis Estate. The quiet and tranquil environment is perfect for a relaxing ge...
Canal Guest House
Canal Guest House in St Francis Bay offers bed and breakfast accommodation in contemporary and comfortable guest suites with decks right on the w...
The Cottage at St Francis Bay
The Cottage is a beautiful studio cottage located just meters from the beach. Offering accommodation for two guests, this is the ideal home for a...
The Kiewiet
The Kiewit is a holiday home on the Sunshine Coast right on the Kromme River. Form here you are just 12 km from St Francis Bay, which is one of t...
Paradise Self Catering Units
Located in Paradise Beach in the Eastern Cape, Paradise Self Catering Units offers accommodation just a 15 minute drive from Jeffrey's Bay and St...
Milkwood Way
Milkwood Way is situated in the quaint little village of St Francis Bay and offers accommodation within an easy stroll into the village to access...
The Woodpeckers Shack
The Woodpeckers Shack has a beautiful river view and offers self catering on the Sunshine Coast just 12 km from St Francis Bay. This is a great s...
Ships Bell 4B
Ships Bell 4B is the perfect lock up and go apartment for those that want compact accommodation. Located in the heart of St Francis Bay the apart...
Quarter Deck 9
Quarter Deck 9 is a self-catering holiday apartment in St Francis Bay that boasts views of the marina in Port St Francis, within close proximity ...
Dune Ridge Country House
Nestled between thick coastal fynbos on the outskirsts of St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis, Dune Ridge is an award winning Country House which ...
Fish Eagle House
Fish Eagle House offers Sunshine Coast self catering in a holiday home right on the Kromme River, just 12km from St Francis Bay, one of the top h...
Upper Deck 11
Situated along the waters edge is St Francis Bay, this light apartment boasts beautiful views of Port St Francis harbour. The apartment is the pe...
Anchor Drift
Situated in the picturesque village of St Francis Bay, Anchor Drift is a double story home that is only a short walk from the beach, shops and re...
Quarter Deck 7
Situated in the harbour of Port St Francis, Quarter Deck 7 is an apartment that can accommodate four guests on a self catering basis. The apartme...
Fore Royal 4A
Fore Royal 4A is a wonderful beachfront apartment in the Port St Francis Estate. Boasting panoramic views of the ocean and mountains, the apartme...
Seaglades 8
Seaglades 8 is located in the village of St Francis Bay. The deck area overlooking the canal has a ten seater table, umbrellas, outdoor furniture...
Quarter Deck 11
Quarter Deck 11 is a lovely apartment situated in the heart of the Port St Francis harbour. The apartment has large windows which allow for a gor...
The Golf House
Perfect for golfers, this holiday home which is situated on the St Francis Bay Golf Links Estate offers luxury accommodation in an idyllic enviro...
The Tin Shack
The Tin Shack offers accommodation in a unique selection of units. This is the ideal place to come for a large group of friends or family looking...
Holiday House Sabine
Quaint, very neat holiday home sleeping a maximum of 7 persons, close to all amenities. Across 18 hole golf course and 200m to safe beach. This c...
Tree Aloe Guest House
Situated within 1km of St Francis Bay Beach and St Francis Links Golf Course, Tree Aloe Guest House features accommodation in St Francis Bay with...
Oyster Bay Lodge
Accommodation is offered in luxury chalets have King-size beds, en-suite open plan bathroom with bath and shower and toilet, fridge, coffee/tea m...
Quarter Deck 13
Quarter Deck 13 is situated within walking distance to restaurants in the Port St Francis Harbour. Quarter Deck 13 is able to accommodate up to s...
Quarter Deck 14
Quarter Deck 14 is a holiday apartment that is situated quite literally over the water's edge, with beautiful views of the marina within the Port...
30 Lovemore Crescent
This charming St Francis Bay home offer accommodation for eight adults and ten children. The house has a prime location, just meters from the bea...
Summerhill Self-Catering
Summerhill Self-Catering Accommodation is situated in the heart of the beautiful costal village of St Francis Bay, in the Eastern Cape. This upma...
i-Lollo Lodge
i-Lollo Lodge is situated at the mouth of the Kromme River facing the Indian Ocean in the picturesque coastal village of St Francis Bay. Located ...
Cycads on Sea Guest House
Cycads on Sea Guest House offers breathtaking views of the sea, the village and the Kouga mountain range. This spacious thatched home is set on l...
The Sands @ St Francis
An experience of pure indulgence! This splendid luxurious 5 star African Beach House nestled in the picturesque seaside village of St Francis Bay...
Sandals Guesthouse
Sandals is ideally situated in the picturesque town of St Francis Bay. Situated 50 metres from the main beach, nestling amongst large indigenous ...
Adrift Guesthouse
Adrift Guest House in St Francis Bay is a large, modern and sunny property perfectly situated in the heart of village, right across from the Golf...
Upper Deck 18
Upper Deck 18 is nestled in the vibrant heart of Port St Francis, providing guests with comfortable self-catering accommodations in a charming 3-...
Things to do in the area
Search for the Perfect Wave
Surfing film pioneer Bruce Brown hunted the world's perfect surf spots in the 1960's cult film classic ' The Endless Summer'. The tag line; 'The ...
The Big Time Taverna
Reputed to be one of the best Restaurants in South Africa, The Big Time Taverna is located in St Francis Bay, the only restaurant on the canals. ...
Watch Whales and Dolphins play
Mark your footprints on the sunlit sand of St Francis Bay while watching whales make waves in the inviting warmth of the Indian Ocean. Dip your t...
Cape St Francis Lighthouse
Boasting the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast, the Cape St Francis lighthouse, called such as it lies above the generous bay earl...
Whale Watching In Bluewater Bay
Between July and December of every year, the Eastern Cape coastline is frequented by Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales. These animals gli...
Gamtoos River Mouth
The Gamtoos River winds its way through the Eastern Cape bushveld, providing warm, calm waters in which to swim, frolic and fish. It is a fabulou...
St Francis Bay Beach
St Francis Bay is popular for so many reasons. It is a holiday town that is less than an hour’s drive from the metropolis of Port Elizabeth. It e...
Surfing at Seal Point
Cape St Francis is a popular spot for surfers from all over the world, who come here to sample the excellent waves and the warm waters. The entir...
Chokka Trail Slack Packing
While St Francis Bay, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis and Port St Francis play host to slack packers on the Chokka Trial, ancient Khoisan fish traps,...
Noteworthy attractions
Eastern Cape Beaches
The Eastern Cape in South Africa boasts some of the world’s best beaches and 800 km of unspoilt picturesque coastlines where blue oceans tumble o...
Fish River Country Club
With breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean from several of its holes, the Fish River Sun Country Club offers golfers a parkland type challenge a...
Royal Port Alfred Golf Club
Situated at Port Alfred, which is on the coast more or less halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London, the club was granted its 'Royal' pref...
St Francis Bay Golf Club
St Francis Bay Golf Club is situated in the village of St Francis Bay on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The...
St Francis Links
The layout of the St Francis Links Course combines every element of shot making with its undulating terrain, greens and surrounds as well as its ...
Wedgewood Country Club
At Wedgewood Country Club, 18-holes of lush, tree-lined parkland course is at your disposal. Enormous blue gum trees along undulating fairways, w...
Sibuya Game Reserve
Sibuya Game Reserve covers more than 2000 hectares and incorporates the unique East Cape Valley Bushveld, Grasslands and Coastal Forests. Antelop...
Woody Cape Nature Reserve
The conservation area extends over about 25 000 ha of lightly undulating to flat terrain and incorporates the Alexandria coastal dune fields (kno...
East London Museum
The East London Museum has the world's only dodo egg, a large natural science collection, collections ranging from the prehistoric times of South...
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