Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay situated on the Wild Coast is a not to be missed

Coffee bay is one of the most beautiful spots on the Wild Coast in South Africa. The small community of Coffee Bay is not much more here than some huts, a trading store, a plain camping site and an hotel, but the coast is stunning and the beach untouched between the green rolling hills and the sea.

Coffee Bay got its name from a cargo ship that supposedly ran ashore here in the 19th century and spilled some of its coffee bean shipment on the shore. Local stories have it that some of these bean took root and grew into coffee trees, but unfortunately they are nowhere to be seen today.

A misty, untouched bay, haunted by the ghosts of shipwrecked sailors, in the heart of the Wild Coast. Coffee Bay offers excellent fishing as well as spectacular walks through coastal bush that is full of bird life. One of the must see places in this area is the `hole in the wall, a geological marvel. Various hiking trails abound around the area, the famous Wild Coast Hiking Trail being one. The rest of the Wild Coast is also worth-while exploring, as is the Sunshine Coast and East London.

Coffee Bay has the advantage of being accessible by tarred road from the N2 and is just the place for those holiday makers who are looking for a nice, out of the way place, with activities like swimming, shell collecting, walking, fishing, surfing, spearfishing, scuba diving, horse riding and golf.

Attractions at Coffee Bay

include the Hluleka Nature Reserve, a reserve of majestic beauty, between Coffee Bay and Port St Johns. Rocky seahores, endless beaches, lagoons and evergreen forests support a large bird and wildlife population. There is excellent fishing from a coastline often visited by dolphins and whales. A large saltmarsh is home to the Cape clawless Otter.

Coffee Bay is a popular stop on the Wild Coast. The road is good with only the occasional pothole and once you’re here the laid-back atmosphere makes it difficult to leave. The scenery is dramatic, with cliffs backing a stretch of perfect beach. The gentle hills around the bay are covered by a network of trails that lead through nearby villages and to secluded secret spots.

Things to do at Coffee bay

• Take a hike
  Don’t miss the walk to Hole-in-the-Wall - a remarkable piece of rock that’s had a huge hole eroded through it after millennia of pounding waves. It takes about 3 hours and is really worthwhile.
• More info
  Take your own provisions if you’re into self-catering.
  There are some good surf spots around.
• trans-Kei trips by the Coffee Shack
  A mouthwatering selection of adventures from the Coffee Shack

Accommodation in and around Coffee Bay