The Riviera
Canal-side sundowners and fresh seafood
The Riviera has earned its place as one of St Francis Bay's most-loved restaurants, and the setting alone makes it worth the visit. Perched right on the canal, with tables that…
Read moreExplore St Francis Bay
Our local guide
Ten places worth knowing in and around St Francis Bay. Click any to read the full write-up. Written by Charles and Jen.
Eat & Drink
Sand Dunes
Casual beachside dining, good for families and post-beach lunches
Sand Dunes is the kind of relaxed, unpretentious spot that ends up on everyone's weekly rotation during a longer stay. Positioned close to the beach, it is a natural stop after a…
Read moreBunkers Bar and Grill
A relaxed local for groups and easy evenings out
Bunkers is the default when you want a cold drink and a decent meal without any fuss. Relaxed atmosphere, good for a group, and the kind of place where nobody minds if you take…
Read moreSurfing
Cape St Francis Point Break
The famous right-hander from The Endless Summer
Cape St Francis holds one of surfing's great pieces of folklore. It was here, in 1963, that Bruce Brown filmed the perfect wave sequence for his documentary The Endless Summer — a…
Read moreSt Francis Bay Beach Break
A forgiving beach break for beginners and longboarders
Closer to the main village, the beach break at St Francis Bay is a friendlier introduction to the area's surf. It works across a wider range of swell sizes than the point break,…
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St Francis Bay Main Beach
Safe, sheltered swimming for families and easy beach days
The main beach at St Francis Bay is the kind of place that defines a proper seaside holiday: safe water, a wide stretch of clean sand, enough wind in the afternoon for…
Read moreCape St Francis Beach
A wild, empty stretch beyond the lighthouse for long walks
Past the lighthouse at Cape St Francis, the beach opens up into something wilder and far less visited than the main bay. A long, undeveloped stretch of coast with big Atlantic…
Read moreNature & Walks
Cape St Francis Lighthouse Walk
A historic working lighthouse with dramatic cliff-top views
The lighthouse at Cape St Francis is one of the oldest working lighthouses on the Eastern Cape coast, a white-painted tower on a rocky headland that has been guiding ships around…
Read moreKabeljous Nature Reserve
Coastal fynbos, birdwatching, and a deserted beach at the end
Kabeljous is the kind of place that locals mention quietly and visitors rarely find on their own. A small coastal reserve on the edge of St Francis Bay, it covers a stretch of…
Read moreActivities
Canal Kayaking
Explore St Francis Bay's famous canal network at your own pace
St Francis Bay is built on one of the most extensive canal networks in South Africa, a system of tidal waterways that threads through the village past the holiday houses and…
Read moreGolf
St Francis Bay is a genuine golf destination, with two courses close by
St Francis Bay sits in the middle of a small but well-regarded stretch of Eastern Cape golf. The village is home to a course within easy reach of Milkwood Way, and a second course…
Read moreGym & Fitness
Somewhere to keep up your routine while you're on holiday
If you would rather not let your holiday get in the way of a training routine, St Francis Bay has a general gym facility in the area, so a workout does not have to mean skipping…
Read moreMountain Biking, Running & Walking Trails
Fynbos and coastal paths for getting out on two feet or two wheels
Beyond the beach and the canals, the country around St Francis Bay rewards anyone who wants to get out under their own power. The same fynbos and coastal terrain that makes…
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