ST FRANCIS BAY AS A HOLIDAY DESTINATION
Touted as South Africa’s answer to ‘little Venice’ and set on the shores of the Indian Ocean, just south of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape, St Francis Bay has to be one of the most beautiful spaces on this part of the coast with its series of little man-made canals and waterways that lend themselves perfectly to boating, swimming and other water sports.
Leighton Hulett started the town from a fishing camp of thatched rondavels, and friends who came to stay were so enchanted with the place, that they asked to be able to buy a piece of ground to build a place of their own. His insistence on a specific style of architecture, preserving character, ensured the development of a village that is quite unique. A harmonious blend of homes, set against a background of azure sea, linked by canals by a wide river, white beaches and lush greenery.
St Francis Bay is the playground of dolphins, whales and the wealthy and to many the first thought that jumps to mind when they hear about St Francis is the perfect wave showcased in the iconic '66 surf movie, The Endless Summer. Today Bruce's Beauties is only one of the famous surfing spots in St Francis Bay, as Seals is the place to be for the surfers from Cape St Francis.
The quiet fishing haven of Oyster Bay lies some 20km to the west, while the agricultural capital of the region, Humansdorp, is visible to the north.
It gets pretty tricky around here to remember just which St Francis you’re in. The bay also includes Santareme and Port St Francis, where the building style uniformity is repeated, this time with Mediterranean and Tuscan homes filling in the dune fields and fynbos.
Cape St Francis is known as keeping it clean and green, where you will find the century old Seal Point Lighthouse and a penguin rehabilitation facility amongst the fynbos and wild waves. The Irma Booysen Flora Reserve lies close by and offers some wonderful opportunities to see local fynbos. Otherwise, your time is given over to pleasure, eco and river cruises, surfing, swimming and generally enjoying the good life.
CANALS
Probably the feature point to St Francis Bay is the Canals. The Canals are a major tourist attraction bragging beautiful homes on the water's edge - the ideal marina lifestyle - linked to the Kromme River and the mouth to the Indian ocean. There is a slipway to launch boats and most homes have their own jetties, slipways and private beaches. The town boasts a uniform building style – black thatched roofs and white walls. Beautifully kept, it's a treat to tour the canals on boat or canoe, fish from your lawn or enjoy a sundowner watching the activities pass you.
MARINA VILLAGE
Situated on the canals in a gated area of St Francis Bay, Marina Village is an exclusive collection of homes built in the typical St Francis style. The community boasts private moorings and slipway, common areas with dams and indigenous flora and a quiet, safe family atmosphere. Some of the properties are on the canal water. The area is well kept with a fantastic ambiance. This is the ideal area for those with children as you have the ease of knowing the estate is secure for them to ride their bikes openly and you have easy access to the water.
The Kromme River is very accessible to holidaymakers staying in St Francis Bay Canals as it runs alongside the Canals. The Kromme River is navigable for 8 kilometres and is a favourite among fishermen and boating enthusiasts. Explore the river through many of the popular boating activity; river cruise, kayak, canoe… and not forgetting to bring the fishing rods as the waters are home to Cob, Garrick, Grunter, Steenbras, Shad and Flathead. During low tide fantastic pools are created idea for windsurfing or leisurely sunbathing and swimming.
KROMME RIVER
VILLAGE
This is the Heart of St Francis Bay. This is where the majority of the commercial businesses are based including the popular 18 hole St Francis Bay Golf Course and our beautiful beaches, famously known as 'Bruce's Beauties'. Further along you get Granny's Pool Beach, with its own slipway to launch boats. Granny's Pool says it all, a magnificent rock pool ideal for smaller kids with a large picnic area. There are three shopping centres; the Old Village Shopping centre, the Tennants Building (where Legends and the Backpackers are located) and the Spar centre. For sports lovers, the town has tennis, bowls and squash courts.
Discover the destination that surpasses every expectation, every time – St Francis Links in St Francis Bay. The world-class links golf course is a must on your golfing holiday itinerary. It’s the perfect blend of nature, relaxed living and the oldest of golfing traditions, and as Jack Nicklaus said, St Francis Links may well be the best golf course he has ever seen. And while St Francis Bay is an outdoor enthusiasts’ hotspot with plenty of activities, restaurants and shops, you may find that at The Links they have everything your heart desires, including a spa, breathtaking walks, a renowned restaurant and a wonderful function venue.
LINKS GOLF ESTATE
Santareme begins after the village from Harbour Road. The building theme is Mediterranean and Sardinian, the area developed after the Canals. The entrance to the port is through Santareme Phase 2. The fantastic thing about santareme is that the average property is 5 roads from the beach. On the opposite side of St Francis Drive is the Nature reserve (home to many wild life) and then it runs into Cape St Francis Beach. Santareme is a very popular for its hiking trails, the start and end of the Two Harbours Ocean trail and to Seal Point.
SANTAREME
PORT ST FRANCIS
Port St Francis is the only privately owned working harbour in South Africa. It lies in a sheltered nook of the bay and provides a safe anchorage for the boats, pleasure craft, and oceangoing yachts. The harbour includes an exclusive residential section with dedicated moorings and commercial restaurants. The ambiance is unique, with the bustling harbour, marine life and a private beach with beautiful gardens. From the Port there are dedicated hiking trails, either towards the Village, which is called the Two Habour Walk or towards Cape St Francis Seal Point, where you will come across wrecks and the most beautiful views.
With the mildest temperatures and the longest sunshine hours on the coast, Cape St Francis is a unique and exclusive paradise which draws holidaymakers from all over the world to enjoy the glorious beaches, excellent water-sport facilities, leisurely lifestyle and the magical beauty of the unspoilt surroundings.
The town is home to the Seal Point Lighthouse and the Irma Booysen Floral Reserve is the home to many species of flowers and plants.
CAPE ST FRANCIS
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Canals
Marina Village
Kromme River
Village
Links Golf Estate
Santareme
Port St Francis
Cape St Francis
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