Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay Snapshot
Collectively known as “St Francis”, the distinction between St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis has over the years become increasingly blurred.
While both towns sit within a Frisbee throw of each another, St Francis Bay is made up of plush white-walled, thatch-roofed houses fronting an engineered canal network that feeds into the Kromme River.
Down the way and historically more rustic, Cape St Francis centres around the Seal Point lighthouse and surrounding nature reserves. The sleepy village sports a growing number of upmarket holiday homes dotted along a stretch of unspoilt beach and rocky coves.
While no longer the fisherman hideout of old, St Francis makes for an idyllic beach and water-based weekend or full-blown holiday - a place where you and the kids will happily while away the hours among the rock pools, on the white sands, and along the river. Fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking are synonymous with the area.
Both villages have a number of restaurants, coffee and other shops to keep you occupied when the weather's not playing ball, so little chance of ever feeling at a loose end in this neck of the coastal woods.
Things To Do
- Take a trip to the Seal Point Lighthouse. Built in the 1870’s, this national monument is the highest masonry structure in Southern Africa.
- Explore the canals by boat; boat trips and gondola cruises can be organised via the tourist office.
- Pack a picnic and head for The Cove, a sheltered and secluded bay with interesting rock pools for the kids to explore.
- Head over to The Wild Side of Cape St Francis for evening sundowners. These are rumoured to be spectacular.
- Walk the banks of the Kromme River at low tide, when the beaches are exposed.
- Hit the beach proper - Cape St Francis Main Beach and Seal Point are the most popular.
- Visit Port St Francis and walk out onto the harbour wall. The Sustainable Seas Centre is also worth a browse.
River Kaya
Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape
The River Kaya offers self-catering accommodation situated right on the Kromme River, just 12 km from St Francis Bay, one of the top holiday destinations on the beautiful Garden Route. River Kaya is s...
Rate Guide
From R1000 to R5500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Anchor Drift
Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape
Here we have a thatched holiday cottage that embraces the true heart and feel of St Francis Bay - old school charm! Anchor Drift is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, beaches, surfing...
Rate Guide
From R2300, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland