Major city · South Africa
Coffee BayKoffiebaai
Half a day for the Hole in the Wall hike and a surf lesson; one night if you want the full Wild Coast vibe. Skip if you need reliable restaurants or ATMs.
Coffee Bay is a small Wild Coast town known for the Hole in the Wall rock formation, cheap surf lessons and a laid‑back backpacker scene. Facilities are basic, crime is a real concern and many buildings show neglect. It works as a one‑night stop between Port St Johns and East London, not as a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (crowded, hot), Jun–Aug (cold, rough sea)
- Airports
- MTH · ELS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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 Coffee Bay112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
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 Coffee Bay, 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
- SafetyCrime is a real concern: theft and muggings happen.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (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.
- AirportcheckMTH Mthatha Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) away; no scheduled flights as of 2026 — check).MTH Mthatha Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) away; no scheduled flights as of 2026 — check).
- Getting aroundOn foot for the village; a 4×4 or a guided hike to the Hole in the Wall (11 km (6.8 mi) one way).On foot for the village; a 4×4 or a guided hike to the Hole in the Wall (6.8 mi (11 km) one way).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeMinibus taxi Mthatha → Coffee BaycheckR80–120
- BeerBeer at a barR25–40
- Budget bedCamping (per person), a night, per personR 70
- Mid-range bedPrivate double room (backpacker), a night, per roomR 500
- High-end bedPrivate double room (backpacker), a night, per roomR 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 500 · Mid R 900 · High R 1,800
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
- MTH Mthatha Airport (About 90 km (56 mi) away; no scheduled flights as of 2026 — check) · ELS East London Airport (About 250 km (155 mi) south; daily flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban)MTH Mthatha Airport (About 56 mi (90 km) away; no scheduled flights as of 2026 — check) · ELS East London Airport (About 155 mi (250 km) south; daily flights from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jun (11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coffee Bay: 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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 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
On foot for the village; a 4×4 or a guided hike to the Hole in the Wall (11 km one way). Minibus taxis run between Coffee Bay and Mthatha but are unreliable.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hole in the Wall
goDoor to door: About 3 h return on foot, 1 h by car
Hike 11 km (6.8 mi) one way (guided or self‑guided) or drive 30 min on a gravel roadHike 6.8 mi (11 km) one way (guided or self‑guided) or drive 30 min on a gravel road
Check tide times; the hole is best seen at low tide.
Door to door: About 2 h
Minibus taxi or private car, about 1.5 h on the R61
Second Gate and the Wild Coast Sun casino; a day trip if you have a car.
Door to door: About 2 h
Minibus taxi or car, about 1.5 h on the R61
ATM, supermarket and the Nelson Mandela Museum; not a sightseeing destination.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
4×4 or guided hike along the coast, about 2–3 h
Remote river mouth and beach; ask at Coffee Shack for a guide.
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.
Coffee Shack area
The main backpacker hub; camping, dorms and private rooms, plus a bar and activity desk.
Hole in the Wall road
A few lodges and self‑catering cottages 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 mi) out of town; quieter, sea views.A few lodges and self‑catering cottages 0.6–1.2 mi (1–2 km) out of town; quieter, sea views.
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
- R400–700 excl. bed
- Mid
- R700–1,200 excl. bed
- High
- R1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private double room (backpacker)1 × 1 night × R 500 | R 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 900 | R 1,800 |
| Surf lesson (group, 2 h)2 × R 200 · check | R 400 |
| Guided hike to Hole in the Wall2 × R 150 · check | R 300 |
| Minibus taxi Mthatha → Coffee Bay2 × R 100 · check | R 200 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 480 |
| Trip total≈ R 1,840 per person per day, bed included | R 3,680≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and car rental excluded. Cash only in town.
Prices of common things
| Surf lesson (group, 2 h)check | R150–250 |
| Pizza at Papazellascheck | R80–150 |
| Beer at a bar | R25–40 |
| Minibus taxi Mthatha → Coffee Baycheck | R80–120 |
| Camping per person | R70–150 |
| Dorm bed per person | R120–250 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Crime: theft and muggings reported; don't walk alone after dark.
- No ATM in town: bring enough cash from Mthatha or East London.
- The Hole in the Wall hike is tidal: check the tide table before you set out.
- Cell reception is patchy; download maps and eSIM before you arrive.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Coffee BayKoffiebaai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kule dilesi, ncedaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus taxi Mthatha → Coffee Bay: about R80–120, 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi Coffee Bay → Hole in the Wall: R200–300 one way (check)
Say or show
- Molo — Hello (MOH-loh)
- Enkosi — Thank you (en-KOH-see)
- Yimalini? — How much is it? (yee-mah-LEE-nee)
- Iphi elwandle? — Where is the beach? (EE-pee el-WAHN-dleh)
- Nceda! — Help! (NSEH-dah)
Xhosa is the main local language; English is widely understood in tourist places.
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 Coffee Bay. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (crowded, hot), Jun–Aug (cold, rough sea) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages: Hole in the Wall, Coffee Shack, Ocean View Hotel, White Clay Resort.
- Eat pages: Papazellas, Afritude shop.
- Wild Coast hiking routes with tide‑table fixtures.
- ATM and cash‑withdrawal anchors for the region.
Sources
Ask about Coffee Bay
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