Cove Rock Beach

About Cove Rock Beach

The whole coastline of the Eastern Cape is speckled by massive, pristine beaches that are quiet, vast and nothing short of exquisite. Many of these are fed by tranquil rivers, which only add to the natural beauty. East London is home to a number of these stunning beaches, and Cove Rock is one of them.

Cove Rock Beach is not ideal for swimming, but is fantastic for surfing and for SCUBA diving. Keen surfers love testing their skills on the consistent waves, and there is some lovely underwater fauna and flora that makes diving really rewarding. The water is relatively warm, thanks to the Indian Ocean. So, those that want to have a dip will love the temperate waters.

More than this, Cove Rock Beach is also home to incredible sandstone formations. These are the natural habitat of a variety of breeding seabirds, including the Lanner falcon. The rock also offers a secret world of coves and middens, to make exploring it an adventure for visitors.

Incredibly, a number of blowholes have formed in the rocky platforms of Cove Rock. In the right conditions, sea water shoots through these blowholes and creates a spectacular show. The rock is 15 metres above sea level, and promises a number of high vantage points, from where the dolphins and whales can be seen playing in the water and leaping out inquisitively. Although the dolphins are here all year round, the whales only visit the South African shores in the latter half of the year.

Thanks to all the sea life, this is also a very popular spot for fishing. Relax on the shore or head onto the rocks and wait for an impressive catch. This is a fun way to enjoy the sea, sand and sunshine on a summer’s day.

The wide beach is flanked by huge sand dunes, which are great fun for the whole family. The Cove Rock Beach is a beautiful 45-minute stroll along the sand from Lagoon Valley. Visitors should bring plenty of water, some snacks, and a high-factor sunscreen for a fun day on this Eastern Cape beach.