Difference between revisions of "St Francis"

Latest revision as of 10:08, 26 April 2013

St Francis Bay is a working fishing port and holiday destination in the Cacadu district of South Africa.

[edit] Understand

Port St Francis.

St Francis consists of three closely related, but distinct areas: St Francis Bay, Port St Francis and Cape St Francis.

Not far from Jeffreys Bay lies the charming town of St Francis Bay. It is known for its endemic white houses with either black tile or thatch roofs blending together with the Sardinian-style red tile roofs. Approximately half of the town is built around the largest web of manmade canals and waterways in Africa. Adjacent to St Francis Bay is the pastoral fishing village of Cape St Francis with its outstanding beach and historic Seal Point Lighthouse while Port St Francis is the harbour. Visit Oyster Bay, a town that caters for those who enjoy quiet time and relaxation. Explore this district with its beautiful beaches, rich wildlife and adventures - surf the waves or swim with dolphins, there is something for everyone in this picturesque and breathtaking Jeffreys Bay area.

St Francis Bay is a beach village of Cape Dutch style thatched roof houses build on canals in the Kromme River estuary.

Port St Francis is a working fishing port for the squid/calamari industry. Also home to Station 21 of the national Sea Rescue Institute.

Cape St Francis is home to a working lighthouse build in 1878. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and good surfing spots.

• St Francis Tourism Bureau, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-0076 (info@stfrancistourism.co.za), [1].  edit

[edit] Get in

St Francis.

[edit] By car

Take the Humansdorp exit from the N2. Drive through Humansdorp and follow the R330 to St Francis. St Francis is just 76km from Port Elizabeth. You could also drive in from Durban (901km) or Cape Town (690km).

[edit] By plane

There are two airports located in close proximity to St Francis. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 76km away. The East London airport is 356km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

[edit] By bus

All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to and from destinations like Addo.

[edit] Get around

• Budget Car Rental, Sanriver Lodge, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1152.  edit

[edit][add listing] See

Port St Francis.

Cape St Francis Lighthouse.

• Aston Bay. Situated between Jeffreys Bay and Paradise Beach, this area offers long stretches of untouched sandy beaches surrounded by protected nature reserves. Sightings of small buck, tortoises, a large variety of birds, rabbits and mongoose are part of every day life in this nature conservancy and the creatures are much loved by local home-dwellers.  edit

• Cape St. Francis. Cape St. Francis is renowned for its peace and tranquility. Nonetheless, surfers from all over the world flock to this coastal town in hopes of surfing a wave at the popular Seal Point. There are a number of nature reserves in the area, and another key attraction for the town is its lighthouse, which was established in 1878 and has since been declared a national monument.  edit

• Humansdorp ☎ +27 (0)42 295-1361. The pleasant town of Humansdorp can be found en route to Plettenburg Bay from Port Elizabeth. The Kouga Cultural Centre is a famous attraction due to its symbolism and portrayal of the African Renaissance.

• Jeffreys Bay ☎ +27 (0)42 293-2923. The home of the perfect wave - situated between Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route is Jeffrey´s Bay, the soul of surfing in SA with a terrain of aloes, perfect points & classic reefs. Once a year the best surfers in the world get together for the annual Billabong Pro surfing competition at Supertubes.

• Oyster Bay (Oesterbaai), Oyster Bay road (Travel to Humansdorp, drive through the main road at the 3 way stop (T-junction) turn right. follow the signs to Oyster Bay (24km).). Oyster bay is now a small coastal hamlet and resort located 14 kilometers west of Saint Francis Bay. What originally started off as a coastal farm, called "Ou Werf", before 1956. Oyster Bay is a must see as there are so many activities available such as horse riding, dune safaris, picnics, massages, dairy experiences, mountain biking, guided night walks, guided bird, fynbos and wetland walk, sand boarding, township tours, hiking trails (these can be done at Oyster Bay Lodge), swimming, as well as rock, deep sea and surf fishing can all be enjoyed in this seaside town.  edit

• Paradise Beach. Paradise Beach promises a relaxing day on a pristine white beach, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. The name itself, explains it all…it really feels like paradise. Because of its wide and uncrowded beach, it’s also a paradise for windsurfers and kite boarders with good wind all year round.  edit

• St. Francis Bay, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-0076. The charming holiday town of St Francis Bay is known for its endemic white houses with black roofs, either tile or thatch, together with Sardinian-style red tile roofs. It is set around the astonishing Marina canals, offers a delightful escape from the pressures of daily life, in a haven of peace and tranquility. Enjoy the glorious beaches, excellent water-sports, a leisurely lifestyle and the magical beauty of its unspoilt surroundings.  edit

• The Cape St Francis Lighthouse, ☎ +27 (0)42 298-0428. Open daily 9AM to 4:30PM. The lighthouse, called Cape St Francis Lighthouse or Seal Point Lighthouse, was built in 1878 to warn ships of the dangerous reefs that stretch more than a kilometer out to the sea. It is the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast standing at a height of 27.75 metre. Although it is no longer in full operation, it is open to the public and guided tours of this historic lighthouse are available. R15.  edit

• The Penguin Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-0076. The rehabilitation centre offers you the opportunity to view the vulnerable African Penguin up close and personal. Although the conservation focus is on the African Penguin, the centre deals with all sick, injured or oiled marine birds.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

The canals in St Francis Bay.

The river mouth and beaches in St Francis Bay.

• Jetski in the Krom River and out to the ocean, ☎ +27 (0)82 939-4081.  edit

• Krom River Expeditions, ☎ +27 (0)84 506-6396. Go on a canal cruise. R70.  edit

• Paintball, The Rabbit Farm, off St Francis drive, ☎ +27 (0)74 342-2644.  edit

• St Francis Safaris, ☎ +27 (0)82 569-3750 or +27 (0)83 441-6397. Game fishing, dolphin and whale cruises, boat and jet ski hire  edit

• Surf. Sealpoint is the best place for surfing  edit

• Viking Boat Hire, ☎ +27 (0)83 325-1655. Hire a boat to explore the canals and river on your own. Around R400 per day.  edit

[edit] Golf

• St Francis Links, ☎ +27 (0) 42 200 4500. The highly rated St Francis Links is an extremely beautiful and challenging 18-hole, par 72 golf course which compares favourably with some of the best courses in the Cape.  edit

• St Francis Bay Golf Club, ☎ +27 (0) 42 294 0467.  edit

• Swartenbosch Golf Club in Humansdorp, ☎ +27 (0) 42 291 0569. 9 Hole (18 tee) Golf Course  edit

[edit] Horse, hiking & mountain biking trails

There are a number of small nature reserves in the area, which provide the perfect backdrop for magnificant hiking and hore riding trails in the area.

• Eastern Cape Tours, ☎ +27 (0) 82 824 3124, [2].  edit

• Oyster Bay Lodge Hiking Trails, ☎ +27 (0) 42 297 0150, [3].  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Grasmere Ostriches, ☎ +27 (0)42 295-2325 (info@grasmereostriches.com), [4]. Ostrich leather belts, wallets, handbags etc  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Barons Grill, Village centre.  edit
• The Butcher Shop, Village centre, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1982.  edit
• Farol Bistro and Coffee shop, Village centre. Excellent breakfasts.  edit
• Porthole Restaurant And Bar, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1123. On the port. Serves delicious calamari, fresh from the sea. Sit on the patio and watch the calamari being unloaded from the fishing boats.  edit
• Trattoria San Francesco, Village centre, ☎ +21 (0)42 294-0819. Pasta.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] St Francis Bay

• St. Francis Bay Lodge, 7 Kansies Road, ☎ 042 294 1403, [5]. The room accommodation at St. Francis Bay Lodge all have shower, extra length king-size, toilet, basin, en suite bathroom, flat screen TV and electronic safe. Some of its facilities and services are restaurants, swimming pool, golf course, spa, canal cruise, carwash, Wi-Fi, wake-up call, laundry service (charges apply) and baby sitting. Rates start at ZAR 850.00.  edit

• Cape St Francis Resort, ☎ +27 (0)42 298-0054 (stfrancisoptions@portstfrancis.co.za), [6]. This is a luxuary 5-star resort with three separate villas and a total of 12 en suite bedrooms. You can opt for either slef catering or bed and breakfast accommodation  edit

• Osbosch Lodge, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1001. Self catering and B&B.  edit

• The Sands @ St. Francis, 8 Frank Rd, ☎ +27422941888, [7]. This splendid luxurious five star African Beach House offers five spacious en suite bedrooms all with uninterrupted views of the majestic Indian Ocean and endless stretches of pristine coastline.  edit

• Sandriver Lodge, St Francis Drive (Across the road from St Francis village), ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1052 (sandriverlodge@tiscali.co.za). Nice B&B close to shopps and golf course R200 to R250 per person sharing.  edit

• Thatchwood Country Lodge, (Across the road from St Francis village), ☎ +27 (0) 42 294 0082 (thatchwood@intekom.co.za, fax: +27 (0)42 294 1998), [8]. They offer various rooms with both double and twin beds R200 to R250 per person sharing.  edit

[edit] Port St Francis

• Port Hotel, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-0006 (stfrancisoptions@portstfrancis.co.za), [9]. Located on the harbour  edit

• Port view place, ☎ +27 (0)42 294-1506 (stfrancisoptions@portstfrancis.co.za), [10]. B&B within walking distance from the port  edit

[edit] Cape St Francis

• Beach Break, ☎ +27 (0)42 298-0054 (stfrancisoptions@portstfrancis.co.za), [11]. On the beach  edit

• Lyngenfjord House, 7 Lyngenfjord road, ☎ +27 (0)42 298-0444 (elza@lyngenfjord.co.za, fax: +27 (0)42 298-0445), [12]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM. 4 star. From R250-R550 pps.  edit

[edit] Contact

For contact details for food and groceries, vehicles, home services, liquor, medical practitioners, nurseries & garden services, pharmacy, professional, cleaning, legal services, photography, security, timber decks, housing, health and beauty call the local or international telephone directory.

Local telephone directory: 1023

International telephone directory: 10903

Important Numbers

Police: 10111 or +27 (0) 42 293 1133

Fire Brigade: +27 (0) 42 291 0283

Ambulance: 10177 or +27 (0) 42 293 1311

Hospital: +27 (0) 42 291 0749

[edit] Get out

• Addo
• Baviaans
• Grahamstown
• Jeffreys Bay
• Karoo
• Sunshine Coast
• Tsitsikamma