Port Elizabeth activites – golf, surfing, diving & sport
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by admin in Port Elizabeth
There are an unbeatable number of activities in Port Elizabeth to keep the most dedicated adrenalin junkie happy. Plus with game reserves and eco-attractions nearby there are things to occupy both the mind and body in equal measure. Golfing fanatics will be in the element with more than enough places to swing a club. And waterbabies will find more than enough Port Elizabeth activities on or below the waves with world class diving, surfing, sailing and partying on the sand.
The climate in this ‘Friendly City’ is rated fourth best on the entire planet, which may explain why locals have such as outdoors lifestyle and there are Port Elizabeth activities for every time of the year. Football fans will love getting involved in impromptu matches on the beach with the locals and shooting pool in many of the fantastic bars. But everything depends on how energetic you are feeling with enough activities in Port Elizabeth to occupy every hour of the day and night.
Port Elizabeth activities – golf
The gorgeous verdant green bushland, rugged cliffs and rough seas of the Eastern Cape is a perfect place for indulging in a few rounds of golf. This Wild Coast has spectacular scenery, with long stretches of virgin sandy beaches, secluded lagoons, rocky cliffs and towering karsts so you can even enjoy having a bad day.
Johnny Foreigner recommended golf courses in Port Elizabeth include:
Little Walmer Golf Course
River Road, Port Elizabeth, Tel: +27 (0)41 581 1613
Little Walmer is probably the best known golf course in Port Elizabeth with 18 holes and a great restaurant
Uitenhage Golf Club
Winterhoek Drive, Uitenhage 6001, Tel: +27 (0)41 966 1868
A little drive from town but certainly worth the effort to reach for the stunning view and tranquil surroundings.
Shark River Golf Club
Tasker Street, Forest Hill Military Base, Tel: +27 (0)41 581 6188
Shark River is a course with more than enough bite to make careless players suffer.
Humewood Golf Club
Marine Driver, Port Elizabeth 6001, Tel: (0)41 583 2137
This is a true links course and understandably one of the highest regarded golf courses in Port Elizabeth, if not South Africa.
Jeffreys Bay Golf Club
Disa Avenue, Jeffreys Bay 6330, Tel: +27 (0)42 293 2532
Popular Port Elizabeth golf course with a full range of facilities including driving range and pro shop.
Port Elizabeth activities – surfing
Many people consider the city as the watersport capital of South Africa with surfing one of the major Port Elizabeth activities to attract fans from all over the world. There are a dozen popular spots for surfing in Port Elizabeth plus lots more just a few miles away in Jeffrey’s Bay. A favourite spot for surfing in Port Elizabeth is The Pipe at Pollok Beach.
Turtles Surf and Sport
123 Parliament Street, Central, Tel: +27 (0)41 559 025
Great surf shop in the centre of town which does a full range of fashion and accessories.
Surf Centre
Walmer Park & Beachfront, Tel: +27 (0)41 367 2206
Board rentals and advice from experienced local surf pros at this shop.
Sunset Surf
Shop 12, Summerstrand Village Mall, Tel: +27 (0)41 534 455
This Port Elizabeth surfing shop has a full range of merchandise for all standards of boarder.
There are great beaches in Port Elizabeth including Humewood, Hobie, Kings and Wells Estate Beach which are then main swimming spots and all have blue flag status. For more on Port Elizabeth beaches.
Port Elizabeth activities – boating
Sailing is an extremely popular Port Elizabeth activity with th Algoa Bay National Sailing Week held every May drawing some of the world’s best sailors for a five-day yacht racing regatta. Most of the races take place around Shark Pier buoys and make for extremely exciting spectator viewing. There is also fantastic game fishing and wildlife spotting as well.
Raggy Charters
PO BOX 15317, Emerald Hill, 6011Tel: +27 (0)41 378-2528 (raggycharter@mweb.co.za)
Penguin Island cruises, whale watching and fishing charters
Algoa Bay Yacht Club
Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, Tel: +27 (0)41 585 4058
Why not embark on a sailing trip with family or friends or perhaps just soak up the nautical vibe in the restaurant and bar.
Port Elizabeth activities – hiking & walking
You don’t need any special equipment to get the most our of you trip to Port Elizabeth with many superb opportunities for hiking and walking in the picturesque Eastern Cape countryside.
Roseate Tern Hiking
Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand, Tel +27 (0)41 585-9711
This nine kilometre circular trail is fine for young children and commands spectacular views of the surrounding bush.
The Mountain Club of South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)41 365-5543 (mcsaeas@mcsa.org.za),
Walking, hiking and a rock climbing school in Port Elizabeth with a range of different options.
Voetsac Hiking Club
Tel: +27 (0)41 581-2109
There are numerous of hiking and walking trails in and around the city including Aloe Hiking Trail, Maitland Nature Reserve and more.
Kragga Kamma Game Park
Travel west along the M15 from the city center for 15 minutes, Tel: +27 (0)41 379 4195, (cantor@worldonline.co.za),
At only R30 this is a great value park with a range of wildlife to see at close quarters including Buffalo, Cheetah, White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra and more.
Port Elizabeth activities – scuba diving
Scuba diving is a very popular activity in Port Elizabeth with some marvellous spots for novice a experienced enthusiasts. The surrounding ocean is teeming with marine life with a great variety of fish species found here including yellow belly, grunter, elf, piggy, Fransmadam, Roman, blacktail, bream, steenbras, hottentot, Scotsman, stumpnose, kob, musselcracker, geelbek, leervis zebra, kob and yellowtail.
The St Croix Island has many scuba travels showing visitors the spectacular caves, walls, dropoffs and gullies which are all covered in dazzling coloured invertebrate life. Riy Bank Reef features terrific rock pinnacles soaring around 30m to the surface which are also teeming with fish and invertebrate life. It’s also a popular spot with feeding sharks and game fish. Although not on the usual routes, dive shops will take customers there if asked.
Johnny Foreigner favourite dive spots in Port Elizabeth include:
Bell Buoy (12m to 18m with rocky bottom and soft colorful coral), Devil’s Reef (7m with pinnacles around 1m), Evan’s Peak (12m to 40m near to St Croix Island), Haerlem Wreck (Navy ship which sunk in 1987 at depth of 21m), Phillips Reef (lovely reef with great visibility), Riy Banks (18m to 40m with plenty of game fish and coral) and Thunderbolt Reef (15m to 30m with lilac and orange hard coral).
Johnny Foreigner favourite dive shops in Port Elizabeth include:
Ocean Divers International
10 Albert Road, Walmer, Tel: +27 (0)41 581-5121 (elzabe@odipe.co.za)
One of the oldest South African dive schools with world class trainng centre equiped with indoor pool and PADI courses
Pro Dive Center
189 Main Road, Port Elizabeth, Tel: +27 (0)41 581 1144
Large full-equipped dive shop in Port Elizabeth which has a full range of courses and packages for all levels of experience.
Mikes Dive Shop
63 Western Road, Port Elizabeth, Tel: (0)41 585 3367
Mike’s is a well-established Port Elizabeth dive shop with a full range of courses and equipment for hire.
Just Dive (Pty) Ltd
1 Conyngham Rd Ascot Office Park, Port Elizabeth, Tel: (0)31 205 3290
Just dive gets people doing just that with well-versed local instructors knowing the best spots of the region.
Other Port Elizabeth activities
Sandboarding
Tel: +27 (0)41 586-2276 (theboardroom@axemail.co.za)
The Maitland dune mountain is perfect for sand boarding and one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Eastern Cape Wilderness Motorcycle Tour
Central Port Elizabeth, Dickens Street, Tel: +27 (0)41 373-7785 (info@lathita.co.za)
Motorbike tour starting and finishing in Port Elizabeth which takes participants through the superb Southern, Eastern and Western Cape regions of the country.
Apple Express
Travel Route 62, The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World, Summerstrand, Tel:+27 (41) 583 4480 Tel +27 (0)41 583-2030,
A classic narrow gauge steam trip 100kms with a stop on scenic Van Stadens River Bridge. R130 for adults or R60 for children under 13.
