Major city · South Africa
Port St Johns
Go for 2–3 nights for the beaches and the Umzimvubu gorge, not nightlife: no flights into town, sparse transport, gravel roads.
Port St Johns sits where the Umzimvubu River cuts through the coastal hills of the Wild Coast, roughly 90 km south of Mthatha on the R61. It is a small town with two main beaches, a lagoon, forest walks and a handful of lodges. No airline flies into Port St Johns itself; the nearest scheduled airport is Mthatha, about 90 km away, and there is no train. You arrive by car, minibus taxi or a pre-booked shuttle. Two or three nights covers the beaches, Silaka Nature Reserve and a drive to Magwa Falls. Longer stays suit hikers and anglers.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Apr–Sep (dry, mild)
- avoid Dec–Jan (peak crowds, rain, higher rates)
- Airports
- UTT · DUR
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Port St Johns112 ▾
- From a mobile112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Port St Johns, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyPort St Johns is a small, low-key town but not a place to wander alone at night or leave valuables in a parked car.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 From a mobile (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckUTT Mthatha Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) away by road on the R61; limited scheduled service, so check before booking.).UTT Mthatha Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) away by road on the R61; limited scheduled service, so check before booking.).
- Getting aroundLocal public transport is sparse: minibus taxis run between Port St Johns and Mthatha during daylight only, and there is little else.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR25–45
- Sit-down mealMain course at a local restaurantR90–180
- Beer340 mlR25–40
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Minibus taxi, Port St Johns to MthathacheckR60–120
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekR150–350
- Budget bedHostel or backpacker bed, a night, per personR 200
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or B&B, a night, per roomR 1,000
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or B&B, a night, per roomR 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 700 · Mid R 1,200 · High R 2,200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UTT Mthatha Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) away by road on the R61; limited scheduled service, so check before booking.) · DUR King Shaka International (Durban) (Long drive of roughly 5–6 h; most travellers fly here and hire a car or take a shuttle.)UTT Mthatha Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) away by road on the R61; limited scheduled service, so check before booking.) · DUR King Shaka International (Durban) (Long drive of roughly 5–6 h; most travellers fly here and hire a car or take a shuttle.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jun (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Port St Johns: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local public transport is sparse: minibus taxis run between Port St Johns and Mthatha during daylight only, and there is little else. Walk in town and between First and Second Beach; for Silaka, Magwa Falls, Agate Terrace and the rural lodges you need a car, or arrange a local driver through your lodge. Roads to the outlying beaches are gravel and rough after rain.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Silaka Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: Half day
Drive or walk from Second Beach, then hike the coastal trail
Small reserve with forest and beach; go early and take water.
Magwa Falls
cautionDoor to door: 3–4 h return
Drive inland on the R61 and turn off towards the falls; gravel sections
Check road and access conditions locally before setting out.
Coffee Bay
overnightDoor to door: check
Drive north on gravel and secondary roads
Better as a stop on a Wild Coast route than a return day trip; confirm the drive time locally.
Mthatha
goDoor to door: check
R61 by car, or a daytime minibus taxi
Useful for banks, supplies and onward transport; confirm the travel time locally.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
First Beach / town centre
Walkable to shops, the river mouth and the main road; simplest base without a car.
Second Beach
Quieter, close to Silaka Nature Reserve; a short drive or 20–30 min walk from town.
Agate Terrace / Poenskop Road
Gravel-road cottages and guesthouses above Long Beach; you need your own vehicle.
Out of town (Ntafufu, The Kraal)
Rural lodges about 20–25 km (12–16 mi) away; peaceful, but every trip into town is a drive.Rural lodges about 12–16 mi (20–25 km) away; peaceful, but every trip into town is a drive.
Mbotyi
River lodge further north along the coast; distance from town check, and the road is gravel.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R500–900 excl. bed
- Mid
- R900–1,600 excl. bed
- High
- R1,600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or B&B1 × 2 nights × R 1,000 | R 2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R 1,200 | R 4,800 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × R 600 · check | R 600 |
| Fuel, about 200 km of local driving1 × R 400 · check | R 400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × R 250 | R 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 830 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,283 per person per day, bed included | R 9,130≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in rand; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R25–45 |
| Main course at a local restaurant | R90–180 |
| Beer, 340 ml | R25–40 |
| Minibus taxi, Port St Johns to Mthathacheck | R60–120 |
| Petrol, per litrecheck | R22–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | R150–350 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Swim only where lifeguards are on duty; the surf and river mouth have strong currents.
- Do not walk isolated beaches or roads after dark, and carry only what you need.
- Gravel roads to Agate Terrace and the rural lodges are rough; a high-clearance car helps after rain.
- Card machines and ATMs are limited: bring enough cash for fuel, taxis and small purchases.
- Mobile signal is patchy outside town; download maps and confirm bookings before you arrive.
Emergency numbers
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Port St JohnsPort St Johns
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Nceda undise kule dilesiPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in Port St Johns; consulates and embassies are in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria. Check your country's mission before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus taxi Port St Johns → Mthatha: R60–120, about 1.5–2 h, daytime only (check)
- Car hire, one day, small car: from about R600 (check)
- Petrol, per litre: R22–25 (check)
Say or show
- Molo — Hello (molo)
- Enkosi — Thank you (enkosi)
- Yimalini? — How much is it? (yimalini)
- Liphi ulwandle? — Where is the beach? (liphi ulwandle)
- Ndifuna uncedo — I need help (ndifuna uncedo)
Cash is king outside town; draw rand in Mthatha or East London before you arrive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Port St Johns. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep (dry, mild) · avoid Dec–Jan (peak crowds, rain, higher rates) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for UTT and DUR: last shuttle departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: First Beach and town centre, Second Beach, Silaka, Agate Terrace.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Silaka, Magwa Falls, the Gap, Umzimvubu mouth) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Port St Johns
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