The biggest problem you’ll have in Port Elizabeth is where to go first!
Most people start at the beach. PE is one of South Africa's best beach holiday destinations, with 40km of unspoiled coastline — mostly golden sandy beaches renowned across the world. PE gets more sunshine hours than any other city in this part of South Africa. The Indian Ocean gives the city magnificent weather — PE’s weather ranks in the world’s Top Five for coastal cities. Summer stretches from October to April, with an average temperature maximum of 25°C throughout January to March.
After the beach, get out on the water! Algoa Bay is Africa’s water sport capital. There’s yachting and boat cruises, windsurfing, jet skiing and diving. The Bay is one of the best sailing waters in the world. Scuba diving is of world-class quality with great reefs, plenty of shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral.
Go further out to sea on deep-sea fishing trips, or at-sea photo safaris — Algoa Bay has whales, dolphins, seals, great white sharks, penguins and plenty of sea birds.
You mustn’t miss the magnificent wild game viewing in malaria-free game reserves. Within less than an hour’s drive of Port Elizabeth you can see the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) and many other species.
Then, you’ve got to explore inland, further into the Eastern Cape where six of South Africa's 7 biomes (major habitats) converge and explode in richness of wildlife and vegetation! The region is South Africa's favourite eco-destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. If you like the outdoors, there is so much to choose from — mountain-biking, river rafting, kayaking, bird watching and beach and country rides by horse.
Explore the area's rich cultural heritage, following the histories of African and European people. How did they meet? What did they produce together? Some of this can be seen in museums, some in the wide assortment of art, fashions and restaurants.
Want a break from rushing around? Port Elizabeth will help you to slow down, relax, and refresh. There are no crowds — neither at the beach nor in town. And South Africans know PE as the Friendly City. (It’s Ten-Minute City to locals, used to getting to businesses, sport and culture fast!) It’s easy to get around, by car or on foot. There’s refreshingly sincere hospitality wherever you go — antique shop browsing, coffee shop schmoozing or sunset sauntering on the sand.
And since it’s at the same longitude as Helsinki, there’s no jet lag to and from Europe. PE is a superb value-for-money holiday base where you'll often pay a third of home prices for food, drink, transport and more.
For sunshine and adventure, there’s nothing like Port Elizabeth! Affordable, accessible, flexible. And friendly. Worth a return journey!
