So what makes Port Elizabeth special?

A superb value-for-money holiday base, the city of Port Elizabeth offers a diverse selection of attractions as a family-fun holiday destination including eco-attractions, scenic nature trails, historic heritage, magnificent wildlife, cultural experiences and countless water sport activities. The Bay is fast becoming known as South Africa’s watersport capital and offers activity throughout the year, especially wind-surfing and fishing. In fact, Algoa Bay is regarded as one of the best sailing venues in the world, while scuba-diving is of world class quality with beautiful reefs, shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral species.

Bayworld, which is one of Port Elizabeth's "must see" tourist attractions, is situated on the beachfront and comprises the Museum, Oceanarium, Snakepark and Tropical House. In addition to the popular daily dolphin and seal presentations hosted at the Oceanarium, the Snake Park also houses a wide variety of exotic and indigenous snakes as well as an impressive variety of Eastern Cape Reptiles.

The "Apple Express", the city's famous antique narrow-gauge steam train operates from Port Elizabeth to Thornhill Village on a regular basis.

Port Elizabeth Climate

Port Elizabeth boasts a wonderful moderate climate all year round and has been rated as having the fourth best weather in the world! Summers are dry and warm with relatively low humidity, while winters are notably mild, with year-round rainfall.

Attractions in Port Elizabeth

Algoa Bay boasts 40 km of magnificent coast-line and protected beaches, complimented by a perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes. These beaches include King’s Beach, Hobie Beach, Pollok Beach, Brighton Beach, Bluewater Bay, St George’s Strand and Wells Estate. The wide expanses of golden sands are ideal for safe and sheltered swimming, snorkelling, body surfing, sunbathing, yachting, windsurfing, jetskiing, fishing and beautiful beach walks. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season at all the main beaches.

A wonderful variety of game viewing experiences is available within less than an hour's drive of Port Elizabeth. This includes a variety of private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, one of which boast the "Big Five", in a malaria-free environment. The Addo Elephant National Park, 72 km north of the city in the Sunday's River Valley, was proclaimed in the 1930's to save the Eastern Cape Elephant and Cape Buffalo from extinction. It is now home to over 314 elephants and offers sanctuary to a myriad of birds, the black rhino, numerous antelope species as well as the unique flightless dung-beetle. Closer to home, a game and lion park which is situated a mere 18 km from the city centre, offers an interesting aspect of close-up game viewing on 31 hectares of pristine coastal bush.

With the focus on eco-outdoor, Port Elizabeth offers the visitor an abundance of nature reserves ranging from a floral wonderland to unspoilt sand dunes and dramatic mountain ranges. There is an unbeatable variety of scenic walks within the city limits that includes coastal and valley experiences. The well-marketed trails can be self-guided or accompanied by expert trail guides. A host of other outdoor adventure options are also available such as birding, mountain biking and horse riding.

Accommodation in Port Elizabeth

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merl offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Eastern Cape & Wild Coast regions including Port Elizabeth.
  
• Accommodation in Port Elizabeth
  his website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and the entire booking is carried out online.
  
• The Beach Hotel
  Port Elizabeth hotel with rates from R150 a night.