St Francis

St Francis Bay is a charming beach village in South Africa's Cacadu district, known for its distinctive Cape Dutch-style thatched-roof houses built along canals in the Kromme River estuary. The area comprises three distinct areas: St Francis Bay itself, the working fishing port of Port St Francis, and the pastoral village of Cape St Francis with its outstanding beach and historic lighthouse. Visitors come for excellent surfing at Seal Point, pristine beaches, and the relaxed atmosphere of this coastal community.

St Francis is located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, not far from Jeffreys Bay. The nearest major city is Port Elizabeth. Visitors typically arrive by car via the N2 highway, which connects the area to major South African cities. Car rental is available through Budget Car Rental located at Sanriver Lodge.

The area is best explored by car, as attractions are spread across the three distinct areas of St Francis Bay, Port St Francis, and Cape St Francis. Budget Car Rental offers vehicles from their location at Sanriver Lodge for those needing transportation.

Accommodation options range from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury resorts. Sandriver Lodge and Thatchwood Country Lodge offer rooms from R200-R250 per person sharing, while Lyngenfjord House provides 4-star accommodation from R250-R550 per person. For luxury seekers, The Sands @ St. Francis is a five-star beach house with five spacious en-suite bedrooms, and Cape St Francis Resort offers five-star villas with self-catering or bed and breakfast options.

The village centre of St Francis Bay offers several dining options. Barons Grill and The Butcher Shop provide meals in the village centre. For fresh seafood, Porthole Restaurant And Bar is located on the port, where diners can watch calamari being unloaded from fishing boats while enjoying fresh catches from the squid/calamari industry that drives Port St Francis.

The area offers diverse activities including surfing at Seal Point, which draws surfers from around the world. Golf enthusiasts can play at the highly rated St Francis Links, an 18-hole par 72 course that compares favorably with top Cape courses, or the St Francis Bay Golf Club. Nature lovers can hike the Oyster Bay Lodge trails or take boat cruises for dolphin and whale watching with St Francis Safaris. The Cape St Francis Lighthouse, built in 1878, offers guided tours for R15 daily from 9AM-4:30PM.

Local telephone directory assistance is available by dialing 1023, with international directory services at 10903. Mobile phone coverage is available through South African carriers.

Jeffreys Bay, home of the perfect wave and annual Billabong Pro surfing competition at Supertubes, is nearby. Humansdorp, en route to Plettenburg Bay, features the Kouga Cultural Centre. The area is also close to the Garden Route. Aston Bay offers untouched sandy beaches surrounded by protected nature reserves between Jeffreys Bay and Paradise Beach.

The area is generally safe for visitors. For emergencies, contact local services: Police at 10111 or +27 42 293-1133, Fire Brigade at +27 42 291-0283, Ambulance at 10177 or +27 42 293-1311. The national Sea Rescue Institute has Station 21 at Port St Francis.