Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland

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Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Promoting and marketing Port St Johns and the adjacent Wild Coast as a tourism destination. This is the page of the Port St Johns Tourism Forum.

Our aim is to promote tourism and interest in our area. We are an independent organization, not affiliated to the Port St Johns Municipality or Port St Johns Development Agency, although we work in conjunction with them to raise awareness of our beautiful Wild Coast. Port St Johns – also known as the Jewel of the Wild Coast and Paradise in Pondoland, is situated at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River

, about half way between Durban and East London. As the only coastal town in the former state of Transkei, Port St Johns has seen ups and downs, and has some fascinating history. The area was first visited by the Portuguese in the 1500’s. Most articles on Port St Johns highlight the relaxed lifestyle, writing of the little village as if it were caught in a ma*****na induced time warp, that never made it out of the ‘60’s hippie era. This is not true - the town does have its fair share of colourful characters, but mostly they are talented artists who make a living by plying their respective trades. The beaches are white and deserted, and have the unusual phenomenon that you are more likely to see cows there than people. Washed by the warm Indian Ocean, bathing in lagoons can be done nearly all year round, when the water is clean. It is not advised to swim at any beach or river mouth. The beaches are surrounded by high cliffs, which in turn are clad in sub tropical forests, which are home to over 250 bird species, including the rare Cape Parrot. Vervet monkeys and Samango monkeys are the most commonly seen mammals in these forests, but bush buck and puti (blue duiker) live here too. The business center of Port St Johns itself doesn’t hold many attractions, it is well serviced by supermarkets and other stores, and most goods are available, but it does tend to be crowded, with hawkers taking up every available space. But it is safe to walk around, and an hour spent browsing, could see you come home with some fun, inexpensive items. The Pondo people have lived in this area for centuries, and their culture and traditions can be seen everyday. Port St Johns does not have any artificial ‘cultural villages’, only the real thing, and visitors are welcome to visit kraals and villages in the area, and share some ‘mqomboti’, the traditional, homemade beer. Sangomas, traditional healers, which are misnamed in Western culture as ‘witch doctors’ are often seen taking part in ceremonies on the beaches or in villages. Eating out in Port St Johns is varied – restaurants range from the extremely Bohemian to regular a la carte. A number of popular pubs welcome both the locals and tourists. Wild Coast crayfish and oysters are sold by local fishermen, as are other fish. Accommodation in Port St Johns is also varied – from village based to Back Packers, to 4 star lodges. The most picturesque are situated on the Umzimvubu River banks. They offer assorted amenities, and are very comfortable. Port St Johns is the center of the annual Sardine Run. This is the fore runner to KZN’s Sardine Fever, where the fish wash up on the beaches there. Here, off Port St Johns, the tiny fish do not come near the beaches, but swim in their millions, up the coast, creating the marine equivalent of the Masaai Mara migration. Thousands of dolphins, porpoise, shark and sea birds follow these shoals of fish and feed off them. The sardine run coincides with the annual migration of whales en route to their breeding grounds off Madagascar, making Wild Coast the venue for Earth’s most spectacular marine event, which is enjoyed by both divers and sightseers. If you prefer out of the way places with character when on holiday, Port St Johns could be just what you’re looking for. No shopping malls, no movie houses, no traffic. But you will find great weather, spectacular scenery, friendly people and wonderful memories.

11/02/2025
PORT ST JOHNS!!The Gap at Second Beach.The Outpost Pub & GrillThe PSJ Waterfront Seafood & Pizza Restaurant Umzimvubu Re...
10/02/2025

PORT ST JOHNS!!
The Gap at Second Beach.

The Outpost Pub & Grill
The PSJ Waterfront Seafood & Pizza Restaurant
Umzimvubu Retreat Guest House
Cremorne Holiday Resort
Cremorne Holiday Resort
SeaCastle Guesthouse Port St. Johns
Port St. Johns Local Municipality
Port St Johns Golf Club
Vuyo Peri Peri Khataza
PSJ 5120 Lounge
Port St Johns Youth Centre
The Beach House - Port St Johns The
The Pont Holiday Resort

Beautiful Port St Johns, Pondoland, Wild coast, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa Photo: L Mboyi
05/02/2025

Beautiful Port St Johns, Pondoland, Wild coast, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa



Photo: L Mboyi

Did you know that this flower, the Port St Johns creeper is named for our town? Now in many gardens with it's beautiful ...
04/02/2025

Did you know that this flower, the Port St Johns creeper is named for our town?

Now in many gardens with it's beautiful pink flowers, it is indigenous, and grows in the bush.

Do you have one of these stickers?
31/01/2025

Do you have one of these stickers?

31/01/2025

Stockists of Magwa Tea: (if we have not listed a stockist, please let us know in the comments).

Lusikisiki:
Dlamantshontsho super market
Awethu cash carry store

Mboyti:
Mbotyi River Lodge

Flagstaff:
Shoprite

Mthatha:
Spargs Super Spar stores
Jimmy's Spar
Circle Spar
Northcrest Spar
Fountain Lake, Kwezi.
Kei Cash and Carry

Libode, Mount Frere and Kokstad:
Spargs Super Spar stores.

Port St Johns:
Mini Trade Store next to Steve's Pub and Restaurant

Ngqeleni: Durban shop
Ntlaza: Kwamthembu

East London:
Siposetu Jilata tel: 076 024 6795

Online shopping:
MAGWA TEA SA [email protected]
Dragonfly Gifts and Useful Things

Remember to tell your favourite store to stock your favourite tea!

If you know of any other stockists, please let us know.

We are not responsible for what the above retailers sell our products at, we cannot quote prices.

31/01/2025

Mkambati and the Wild Coast by Div de Villiers and John Costello: R650.00 excluding delivery.

This book is out of print and is now considered a collector's item.

Used, good condition. Only 1 copy available

This coffee table book is considered as 'the Blue Book' of Northern Pondoland, Wild Coast, Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

To order: [email protected] or
WhatsApp message: 066 416 8760

The view towards the sea from the Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Johns airstrip on top of Mount Thesiger.
21/01/2025

The view towards the sea from the Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Johns airstrip on top of Mount Thesiger.

20/01/2025
The Umzimvubu River flowing past Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Johns into the Indian Ocean.
13/01/2025

The Umzimvubu River flowing past Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Johns into the Indian Ocean.

Beautiful Umngazi Hotel & Spa near Port St Johns.
10/01/2025

Beautiful Umngazi Hotel & Spa near Port St Johns.

10/01/2025

Beautiful Port St Johns, seen from the Cape Hermes Lighthouse.

10/01/2025

Who remembers Douglas, 'The Stick Man', as he was fondly known?

The Wild Coast has had lots of interesting characters, either stop and stay for a while, or pass through it, en route elsewhere.

The love story of Jack and Sally at Mboyti, could be made into a film.
Mbotyi River Lodge
Mbotyi Mountain Bush Camp
Mbotyi - Destiny - Self Catering Cottage

The guidebook to Port St Johns has comprehensive information on Port St Johns and the surrounding area.
Included are sections on the The People, The Sardine Run, The Landscape, The History, The Language, Flora and Fauna, Myths and Legends, Places of Interest, Pondo Tradition and Culture

To order: please send a mail to: [email protected]
or WhatsApp: 066 416 8760

Price: R295.00 (Please enquire about trade pricing)
Format: A5
174 pages
Full colour

Also available in Port St Johns, at:
Umzimvubu Retreat Guest House
Psj MiniTrade (next to the Outpost Restaurant)
Umngazi Hotel & Spa

Happy New Year!
01/01/2025

Happy New Year!

Welcome to our page:Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Para!Nyameka Booi, Sive Mfikili, Baccer Lonwabor, Isa Marhibel...
01/01/2025

Welcome to our page:
Port St Johns - Paradise in Pondoland Para!

Nyameka Booi, Sive Mfikili, Baccer Lonwabor, Isa Marhibela Mbangiso, Wendy Wesh, Liyabona Mliyas Ka Gono, Jiba Coceka Malisekapa, Syavuya Zangwa, Ncebakazi Gwanya, Zulu Monk, Pamela Parm Pammy, Ayabulela Aibee, Vanessa Van Niekerk, Ju Ni Or, Lwande Trinity Matomza, Keegan Johnstone, Lulama Lulu, Jerez Willard, Nicholas Jaco Swart, Glen Napier, Musa Madiya , Solly Malima, Siniko Gasela, Felly Lee, Likho Mfethe

Everyone is choosing Port St Johns as their destination for the Summer of 2024 . This includes Councillor Marcus Madikiz...
28/12/2024

Everyone is choosing Port St Johns as their destination for the Summer of 2024 .

This includes Councillor Marcus Madikizela, the Greater Kokstad Mayor.

“I've never seen a place as enjoyable, respectful, and attractive as Port St Johns," he exclaimed.

Madikizela was so captivated by the sea charm that he plans to return with his family before the New Year. "I want my loved ones to experience the beauty and warmth of Port St Johns," he said.

Greater Kokstad Municipality
Kokstad Town
Spargs Supermarket Kokstad
Pondo Adventures
Pondo Tours .
Port St. Johns Local Municipality
Kokstad Advertiser
Pondoland Times

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