Major city · South Africa
Alexander Bay
Skip unless you are a diamond-history or birding specialist: one night is enough to see the Orange River mouth and seal colony, then move on.
Alexander Bay is the driest town in South Africa, a former diamond-mining security zone that now opens its Orange River wetlands, seal colony and Living Museum to visitors. The town has one supermarket, a campground and a coffee shop. Most travellers use it as a stop between Port Nolloth and the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (very hot), Jun–Aug (cold nights)
- Airport
- ALJ
- 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 Alexander 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 Alexander 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
- SafetyRemote desert town; the main risks are dehydration, heat and limited services.
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.
- AirportALJ Alexander Bay Airport (Private aviation only; commercial flights use Springbok or Port Nolloth).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Bordeline koffie shopcheckR15–25
- Budget bedCamping site (Pachtvlei), a night, per personR 150
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (check availability), a night, per roomR 900
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (check availability), a night, per roomR 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 500 · Mid R 900 · High R 1,500
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
- ALJ Alexander Bay Airport (Private aviation only; commercial flights use Springbok or Port Nolloth)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest May (3 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alexander 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 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
The town is small enough to walk. A car is needed to reach the Orange River mouth and seal colony.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Drive northeast on the R382, about 95 km (59 mi)Drive northeast on the R382, about 59 mi (95 km)
Border crossing into Namibia; carry passport.
Port Nolloth
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive south on the R382, about 85 km (53 mi)Drive south on the R382, about 53 mi (85 km)
Coastal town with fishing and diamond-diving history.
Springbok
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive southeast via the N7, about 120 km (75 mi)Drive southeast via the N7, about 75 mi (120 km)
Largest town in Namaqualand; supplies and accommodation.
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.
Pachtvlei Campground
On the Orange River, self-service with ablutions; the only accommodation listed.
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
| Guesthouse room (check availability)1 × 1 night × R 900 | R 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 900 | R 1,800 |
| Seal colony tour (Thursday, reserve 24 h ahead)2 × R 200 · check | R 400 |
| Living Museum entry2 × R 50 · check | R 100 |
| 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 |
check
2026 estimate in rand; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Bordeline koffie shopcheck | R15–25 |
| Meal at Bordeline koffie shopcheck | R40–80 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | R12–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Seal tour requires 24-hour advance reservation.
- No petrol station in town; fill up in Port Nolloth or Springbok.
- ATMs are limited; carry cash.
- The area is remote: mobile reception may be patchy.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Alexander BayAlexander Bay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Port Nolloth → Alexander Bay (R382): about 85 km (53 mi), 1 h driveabout 53 mi (85 km), 1 h drive
- Springbok → Alexander Bay (N7, R382): about 120 km (75 mi), 1.5 h driveabout 75 mi (120 km), 1.5 h drive
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
- Hoeveel? — How much? (hoo-feel)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vahr is dee toy-let)
Afrikaans is widely spoken; English is understood.
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 Alexander 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 (very hot), Jun–Aug (cold nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the Orange River mouth wetlands, seal colony and Living Museum with verified opening hours and tour booking links.
- Eat page for Bordeline koffie shop with last-order times.
- Sleep page for Pachtvlei Campground with site photos and check-in details.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the R382 from Port Nolloth and Springbok.
Sources
Ask about Alexander Bay
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