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Port Alfred

Port Alfred is a holiday town situated on the coast between Port Elizabeth and East London, and dominated by the Kowie River which runs through it.

Here's a local's account of what life in Port Already is like:

A Local's thoughts on Port Alfred

This busy seaside town has a lovely small boat marina and the Kowie River which has water-skiing spots further upstream especially popular during the holiday season. A number of barges offer 2 hour cruises up the river and I can recommend a late afternoon trip with Let’s Go Cruises – don’t forget to bring your sundowners and a camera. The best time of day in Port Alfred is early morning and late afternoon when the wind is usually at its’ weakest and when it is perfect for relaxing on the beach.

Eating Out

The Ocean Basket in Port Alfred backs directly onto the Kowie River and is a lovely spot for a lunch or evening meal whilst watching the boats go up and down. There is a covered deck area as well as an open grass area which connects directly to Barmuda next door. This is a popular cocktail and food bar which serves great nachos. For a nice indoor venue check out The Wharf at the old Micro Brewery in Wharf Street or The Thistle Restaurant located at the back the Highlander Pub opposite the Royal Port Alfred Golf Course (and, if you enjoy golfing holidays, the ultimate one is a golf train trip with Rovos Rail - but this is not in Port Alfred). For families with younger ones there is the ever popular Spur which has a superb position on the Marina and also a supervised Jungle Gym.

Beaches

Port Alfred is fortunate to have some beautiful beaches stretching both to the East and West. My favourite beach is East Beach and can be reached via the turn off to the Marina Complex off the R72. Just follow the road to the left all the way down to the two car parks by East Beach. The first car park you come to is ideal for those wishing to enjoy a nice long walk but if you are thinking about surfing or swimming in the designated safe swimming area then head for the second car park further along. Please note lifeguards are only on duty here during peak holidaying periods.
Kelly’s Beach is the Blue Flag in Port Alfred and lies to the West along Beach Road/West Beach Drive. There is a large car park above the beach with wooden steps that lead down onto the sand. Just to the right of Kelly’s Beach is Shelley Beach which at low tide reveals a myriad of rock pools just waiting to be explored. This is also a popular spot for fishermen who fish off the rocks at low tide.

Where to stay

Port Alfred isn’t short of accommodation venues from boutique hotels like The MyPond Hotel in the centre of town to guest houses like Dockside Guest House which overlooks the small boat harbour. Self-catering accommodation in Port Alfred is also popular and there are a number of places just back from the beachfront at West Beach ideal for families wanting to be within easy reach of the beach.

Fishing

As a big fan of deep-sea fishing I can highly recommend Port Alfred. There are a number of charter boats that take people out on a daily basis (weather permitting) to go fishing off the coast. As well as the thrill of catching good size Kob, Carpenter and Red Roman I have experienced being surrounded by southern right whales and also seeing a group of penguins. Probably the highlight was a super-pod of dolphins which we came across one day in 2010. The ocean was filled with dolphins as far as the eye could see and also mixed in with them were a number of seals.

Rowing

The Kowie River runs straight through the middle of Port Alfred and hosts two big rowing competitions every year. In September the town hosts the University Boat Races and in December the Inter-Schools Rowing Championships. Both events draw huge crowds and the town is packed for the whole weekend that these events take place. The races start up river and the finish line is right by the Port Alfred Ski Boat Club and the large arched bridge.

Shopping

The town continues to grow in size every year with some 20,000 inhabitants living here normally. Of course during the December holiday period the community doubles in size and at times struggles to keep up with the sudden influx of visitors. At Christmas time the marina fills up quickly and booking becomes an imperative for anyone wanting to eat out at one of the local restaurants. Many people stay in Port Alfred on a self-catering basis and the Rosehill Shopping Mall just outside the town has a nice big big Spar Supermarket and Woolworths which is ideal for picking up your food and other necessities. There is also a cinema here which is very reasonable and great for those days when the sun isn’t shining and you need to entertain the children.

Author: Neil Playdon

Attractions

Kowie History Museum

Bathurst Agricultural Museum

Two 18-hole golf courses

The golden sandy beaches with warmer water than Cape Town

St Francis Health Centre, in the Kleinmond valley, founded by Anneliese Cowley.

Accommodation

Port Alfred accommodation options.