Port St Johns
A jungle-clad Wild Coast village at the Umzimvubu river mouth — dramatic, decaying, and the Sardine Run base.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The Wild Coast's most atmospheric village, and the Sardine Run base.
The Wild Coast's most atmospheric village, and the Sardine Run base.
- Trip Role
- Worth a Detour
- Ideal Stay
- 2-3 nights
- Best For
- Sardine Run and deep Wild Coast exploration
- Go If
- You want the deep Wild Coast or are doing the Sardine Run.
Why go
Port St Johns is the Wild Coast's other great village — two river mouths, forested hills, a faded grandeur, and the launch point for Sardine Run dive trips. Genuinely off the grid in feel.
What we love
Second Beach and the jungle running down to the sand.
What to know
5h from Mthatha on rough roads; a 4x4 helps. Go in winter for the Sardine Run.
What's here
Also in Port St Johns
Best things nearby
Chintsa
A laid-back Wild Coast beach village north of East London — lagoon, backpacker lodges, and the soft entry to the Wild Coast.
Coffee Bay
A barefoot Wild Coast village — Hole in the Wall, cliffs, and the most backpacker-famous stretch of the Eastern Cape coast.
More village in Eastern Cape
Chintsa
A laid-back Wild Coast beach village north of East London — lagoon, backpacker lodges, and the soft entry to the Wild Coast.
Coffee Bay
A barefoot Wild Coast village — Hole in the Wall, cliffs, and the most backpacker-famous stretch of the Eastern Cape coast.
Storms River Village
A tiny village at the Tsitsikamma end of the Garden Route — the Mouth, suspension bridge, and forest canopy tours.