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Keightley's Krantz in Morgan Bay

The seaside village of Morgan's Bay is located on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast of South Africa and is about 85 km east of East London. Morgan's Bay lies between the famous Morgan's Bay cliffs and a mile-long stretch of unspoilt beach, bordered by the Cape Morgan Nature Reserve.

In the early part of the century, Morgan's Bay was a popular holiday destination for farmers from throughout South Africa's Eastern Cape region. Every year, after the harvest, they packed their families and possessions into wagons for a camping holiday by the sea. These days Morgan's Bay is still a popular camping destination, with families from up country making the yearly trek down to the sea to enjoy the delights of the Wild Coast.

[edit] Get in

Situated 10 minutes away from the Kei River and the adventures of the Wild Coast, yet only 45 minutes from the modern amenities of East London, Morgan's Bay offers you the best of both worlds.

[edit] Directions from East London:

Drive North-East along the N2 highway from East London, take the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for R35.5km. Turn right at Morgan Bay turnoff and follow the 7km gravel road to Morgan Bay.

[edit] Directions from Durban:

Drive South from Durban along the N2 highway, 31km past the Kei River Bridge turn left at the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for R35.5km. Turn right at Morgan Bay turnoff and follow the 7km gravel road to Morgan Bay.

[edit] Get around

The are no buses or taxis in Morgan's Bay.

[edit][add listing] See

If you're a keen hiker it's worth a ramble over the Morgan's Bay Cliffs. These impressive slabs of dolerite, which drop some 50 meters into the pounding surf, are ideal vantage points for watching the sunset. If you're lucky, you may even see the dolphins frolicking in the waves, which crash against the rocks below.

[edit][add listing] Do

Morgan's Bay is an ideal destination for adventurous family holidays with an excellent swimming beach, patrolled by lifeguards during the festive season, and lagoon in pristine natural surroundings. It's the perfect place to get in some well earned relaxation and breathe in the fresh sea air. During the day you can gaze at passing ships on the horizon or lie on the beach with a book. At night you can lie relaxed in comfortable accommodation while being hypnotised by the dull roar of the sea, glorious stars and the intermittent beam of the Cape Morgan Lighthouse across the bay.

• Activities, [1]. Activities on offer in the area include surfing, golf, deep-sea fishing, dolphin and whale watching, fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking and nature trails, rock climbing, abseiling, surfing, canoeing, micro lighting, horse riding, game viewing and bird watching.  edit

• Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, ☎ +27 (0)83 632-7298, [2]. Join Mkulu Kei Horse Trails for a trail riding vacation on the Wild Coast of South Africa, horse trekking safaris that suits your available travel plans, horse riding experience and budget. From the back of a quality trail horse suitable for your riding ability, ride on a beach and see nature at its best on one of our riding safari holidays. This all-inclusive equestrian trail is through awesome horse riding country, long golden sand beaches on a pristine coastline, hidden valley trails, rocky and sandy isolated bays. Stunning ocean views on the horizon; rolling hills and indigenous forests, under your horse’s feet; miles of beach sand. Hours of cross-country riding will take you through Xhosa rural villages, river valleys, and past waterfalls; see nature, birds, game animals, dolphins and whales in the wild.  edit

• Wild Coast Horse Trails, Sunray Farm Kei Mouth Road Wild Coast, ☎ +27 (0)82 567-0972, [3]. Wild Coast Horseback Adventures. The most glorious horseback beach riding holiday in the world! A unique horse trail that offers a full holiday experience while giving you the chance to sample the undeveloped beauty of the South African Wild Coast. The beach riding along the Transkei is exhilarating and exciting. One sweeping bay after another, rolling hillsides, river crossings and warm lagoons ensure adventure filled days of fabulous horse riding. Torstone Sport Horses ~ competitive endurance horses and high quality pleasure riding horses. **6 nights 7 days Wild Coast Horse Trail. **8 nights 10 day Surf & Turf Safari. **1 to 10 day’s custom made Castaway Trails. **Day rides and beach trails in Morgan Bay & Kei Mouth **1 to 12 weeks Gap Year & Career break Working Horse Riding Holidays. (32.37` 41``,28.9`48``) edit

• Lalapanzi Adventure Centre, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1615 (lalapanzi@lantic.net). Paintball, abseiling, river hikes only 9km from Morgan's Bay.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Yellowwood Forest Craft Shop, Link Road, Morgan's Bay, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1598 (info@yellowwoodforest.co.za), [4]. Local & imported arts, crafts, clothing, gifts, throws, hammocks, furniture, antiques etc.  edit

• Xhosa Crafts. Xhosa women sell beads and other crafts under the trees near the lagoon.  edit

• Craft Markets, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1620. Local Farmers & Craft Markets are held once a month and regularly during holiday periods. They are advertised on the notice board at the Top Shop.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Yellowwood Forest Pizza Garden & Coffee Shop, Link Road, Morgan's Bay, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1598 (info@yellowwoodforest.co.za), [5]. Sit under the Yellowwood Trees and enjoy delicious pizzas from their wood-fired oven.  edit

• The Shed, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1550. Come and braai, they supply every friday evening. Had a hectic week? Relax on their deck with an ice cold beer. They can even braai for you. Braai packs, salads and extra goodies supplied. 5km from Morgan's Bay  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Tanglewood House (Self Catering), Tanglewood Drive, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1031, [6]. Tanglewood House sleeps up to 6 people and is a thatch house set in a lush green belt, a 2 min drive or 10 min walk from the Morgan Bay beach. From R380.  edit

• Yellowwood Forest (Caravan and Camping), Link Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1598 (info@yellowwoodforest.co.za), [7]. Family friendly Caravan Park & Campsite situated in woodland just above the Morgan's Bay Lagoon. We have plenty of shade and are sheltered from the wind. From R65/site plus R10pp.  edit

• The Lower Deck (Self Catering), 470 Chestnut Place, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1099, [8]. Situated in a quiet cul de sac, approximately 200m from the waters edge, The Lower Deck sits a top a hill and is blessed with beautiful sea views. From R300 per night.  edit

• The Morgan Bay Bed & Breakfast, Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1125, [9]. A charming old colonial home, situated in a beautiful garden, with the beach and safe swimming lagoon at the bottom of the garden path. From 300pps.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Waverley House (Self Catering), 3 Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1634, [10]. Waverley House sleeps 10 persons and is a double storey face brick house with a sea view, located around 100m from the Morgan Bay seafront. The house is bordered by open countryside where one can walk and enjoy the natural surroundings; the beach is a 5 minute walk away From R900 per night.  edit

• Flame Lily House (Self Catering), 35 Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1594 (flamelily@sainet.co.za), [11]. Offers affordable self-catering holiday accommodation with sea views for 2 - 8 people. Situated above the coastal milkwood trees on the central beachfront of Morgan's Bay it is just 25 m from the bathing beach with the lagoon, dunes, fishing spots, hotel facilities and magnificent cliffs in easy walking distance. From R380 per night.  edit

• The Mitford Lodge, Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1510 (mitford@morgansbay.co.za, fax: +27 (0)86 691-7171), [12]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 10AM. Self catering (2 sleeper to 6 sleeper) apartments and bed & breakfast. Accommodation is only 35 steps away from the sea. Great food and an amazing view. From R690/unit.  edit

• Ocean Valley View (Self Catering), 472 Chestnut Place, (oceanvalleyview@hotmail.com), [13]. Comfortable self catering accommodation in modern fully furnished house that sleeps 8 persons. Beautiful views of the sea, valley, bush and cliffs and within very easy walking distance of the sea. From R700 per night.  edit

• Morgan Bay Hotel (SC, b&b), Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)43 841-1062 (morganbay@telkomsa.net). Family accommodation establishment catering for the whole family, from grandparents to grandchildren. Their aim is to make your holiday a memorable one, so that you will speak of Morgan Bay with fond memories and always return for more. From R750pps.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Khaya Morgana (The Big Rondavel), Pampus Place, ☎ +27 (0)74 077-6125, [14]. Self-catering accommodation in a luxurious, African-themed, double-storey rondavel, boasting an expansive panoramic view of the Morgan Bay lagoon. From R850 to R1150 per night.  edit

• Spinnaway (Self Catering), 20 Beach Road, ☎ +27 (0)82 493-2929, [15]. Double-storey, seafront house, consisting of two self-catering apartments, with a shared double garage. Each sleeps 5 people in two bedrooms & has an open-plan kitchen & lounge that lead out onto a deck with braai place. From R1000.  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

Beyond the Morgan's Bay cliffs lies the beautiful Double Mouth Nature Reserve. Here two rivers meet in a pristine estuary, which carves a single course through forested dunes to the sea. Fish Eagles, Crowned Eagles, Red-Billed Woodhoopoes and several species of Kingfishers patrol the placid waters and it's forest fringes. Just beyond is Bead beach; site of a 16th Century Portuguese shipwreck, it's the perfect place to do a little treasure hunting for Ming porcelain and Carnelian beads.