Major city · South Africa
St FrancisSt Francis Bay
Give St Francis 2–3 nights if you want canals, surf and a lighthouse; 1 night if it is a stop on the Garden Route drive.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (warm, dry, surf and beach weather)
- avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, windy; many houses shut)
- Airports
- PLZ · ELS
- 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.
St Francis is three places in one: St Francis Bay, a canal village of white houses and thatch; Port St Francis, a working squid harbour; and Cape St Francis, a quiet surf point with a lighthouse. It sits 76 km west of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and 25 km south of Jeffreys Bay, so it works as a two-night pause on a Garden Route self-drive rather than a destination on its own.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about St Francis, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for a beach village; the real risks are rip currents at Seal Point and Paradise Beach, winter wind, and petty theft from parked cars.
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 From a mobile · +27 42 293-1133 Local police, Humansdorp area · +27 42 293-1311 Local ambulance (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.
- AirportPLZ Port Elizabeth / Chief Dawid Stuurman International (About 76 km by road; the closest airport, roughly 1 h 15 min by car).PLZ Port Elizabeth / Chief Dawid Stuurman International (About 47 mi by road; the closest airport, roughly 1 h 15 min by car).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR30–55
- Beerdraught / bottle at a bottle storeR35–55R20–30
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiFew taxis; agree the fare first.R80–150
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekR150–350
- Museum or sight ticketSeal Point Lighthouse entryR15 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or backpacker bed, a night, per personR 350
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomR 1,500 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomR 2,600 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 700 · Mid R 1,400 (≈ US$80) · High R 2,600 (≈ US$150)
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 →
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
- PLZ Port Elizabeth / Chief Dawid Stuurman International (About 76 km by road; the closest airport, roughly 1 h 15 min by car) · ELS East London (About 356 km; a long drive, use only if PLZ fares are full)PLZ Port Elizabeth / Chief Dawid Stuurman International (About 47 mi by road; the closest airport, roughly 1 h 15 min by car) · ELS East London (About 221 mi; a long drive, use only if PLZ fares are full)
Weather and climate
St Francis: 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°C79°F
18°C64°F
6 rd
Feb
26°C79°F
18°C64°F
7 rd
Mar
25°C77°F
17°C63°F
7 rd
Apr
23°C73°F
15°C59°F
7 rd
May
22°C72°F
13°C55°F
6 rd
Jun
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
6 rd
Jul
20°C68°F
10°C50°F
6 rd
Aug
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
7 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
12°C54°F
7 rd
Oct
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
Nov
24°C75°F
16°C61°F
7 rd
Dec
25°C77°F
17°C63°F
6 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. There is no useful public transport between the three villages, and the N2 turn-off is at Humansdorp, then the R330 south. Rental desks are in Port Elizabeth and at PLZ airport; local rental is limited. Distances are short (village to Cape St Francis is about 5 km), so a day of driving is cheap.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jeffreys Bay
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive the R330 north to Humansdorp, then the N2 east
Supertubes and the surf shops; a half day is enough.
Humansdorp
goDoor to door: About 25 min
R330 north
Fuel, supermarkets and the Kouga Cultural Centre; do your shopping here.
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
R330 to Humansdorp, then the N2 east
A full day; better as an arrival or departure stop than a return trip.
Addo Elephant National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
N2 east past Port Elizabeth to the park gate
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in or near the park.
Kenton-on-Sea
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
N2 east, then the R72
Long for a day; combine with a Garden Route leg.
Port Alfred
skipDoor to door: About 3 h
N2 east, then the R72
Keep it for a separate Sunshine Coast stop.
Grahamstown (Makhanda)
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
N2 east to Port Elizabeth, then the R67 north
A long day; the arts festival is the main reason to go.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
St Francis Bay village and canals
Walk to restaurants and the canals; the best base without a car for evenings.
Cape St Francis
Quieter, next to the lighthouse and Seal Point; 10–15 min drive from the village.
Port St Francis
Harbour setting, calamari restaurants on the water; small, so book ahead.
Oyster Bay
About 14 km west; beach and fishing, very little else.About 8.7 mi west; beach and fishing, very little else.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R700–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- R1,200–2,200 (≈ US$70–130) excl. bed
- High
- R2,200 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 2 nights × R 1,500 | R 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R 1,400 | R 5,600 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × R 600 · check | R 600 |
| Fuel, St Francis to Jeffreys Bay and back1 × R 150 · check | R 150 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × R 250 | R 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 985 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,709 per person per day, bed included | R 10,835≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R30–55 |
| Calamari and chips at the port | R120–200 |
| Beer: draught / bottle at a bottle store | R35–55 / R20–30 |
| 5 km taxiFew taxis; agree the fare first. | R80–150 |
| Seal Point Lighthouse entry | R15 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | R150–350 |
| Green fee, St Francis Links | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Swim between the flags at Seal Point and Paradise Beach; the reef and rip currents are real.
- The canal waterways are private property in places: check before you paddle or swim.
- Winter (Jun–Aug) closes many restaurants and rentals; confirm before booking.
- Fuel up in Humansdorp; the village has limited stations.
- Do not leave valuables visible in a parked car at beach car parks.
Emergency numbers
- From a mobile
- 112
- Local police, Humansdorp area
- +27 42 293-1133
- Local ambulance
- +27 42 293-1311
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
St FrancisSt Francis Bay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Nceda undise kule dilesiTo this address, please
Emergency
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassies in St Francis; consulates and embassies are in Cape Town or Pretoria. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PLZ airport → St Francis, taxi or transfer: about R900–1,400, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Car hire, one day, small car: from about R600 (check)
- St Francis → Jeffreys Bay, fuel: about R150 return (check)
Say or show
- Molo — Hello (moh-loh)
- Enkosi — Thank you (en-koh-see)
- Yimalini? — How much is it? (yee-mah-lee-nee)
- Liphi ulwandle? — Where is the beach? (lee-pee oo-lwan-dleh)
- Ndifuna uncedo — I need help (n-dee-foo-nah oon-seh-doh)
- Sala kakuhle — Goodbye (sah-lah kah-koo-hleh)
Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; R5–20 to car guards and fuel attendants.
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 St Francis. 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: Oct–Apr (warm, dry, surf and beach weather) · avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, windy; many houses shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PLZ: last flight arrivals, rental desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: St Francis Bay village and canals, Port St Francis harbour, Cape St Francis lighthouse and Seal Point.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Seal Point Lighthouse, Penguin Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, St Francis Links) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures (winter closures, wind, no rental car) so gates A–D can go green.