Staycations in Eastern Cape

Overview

The Eastern Cape is South Africa's quieter coast, a stretch of uncrowded beaches, world-class surf and the friendly city of Gqeberha, still widely known as Port Elizabeth. A staycation here is unhurried and outdoorsy, built around the ocean and the wide, open shoreline.

The little village of Cape St Francis draws surfers and beach-goers to its famous point and long sands, while Gqeberha adds a waterfront, a lively promenade and easy access to the malaria-free Big Five of nearby Addo. It is an easygoing, good-value part of the country.

For travellers who like their coast uncrowded and their prices sensible, the Eastern Cape is one of the country's most underrated escapes, an easy fit for a relaxed week by the sea.

From R1,715 per person sharing · 3 packages · Best for: surf, beaches & Addo

Why Choose an Eastern Cape Staycation?

• Surf and beaches: Cape St Francis and Jeffreys Bay are among the country's best-known surf spots.
• Uncrowded coastline: long, quiet beaches make it a relaxed alternative to busier coasts.
• Gqeberha city break: the Boardwalk, the promenade and a walkable waterfront.
• Addo nearby: the malaria-free Addo Elephant reserve is an easy add-on for Big Five game viewing.
• Good value: generally lower prices than the Western Cape for a similar coastal feel.

What Can You See and Do in Eastern Cape?

The ocean sets the pace here. Surf the point at Cape St Francis or nearby Jeffreys Bay, walk the long, empty beaches, and watch for dolphins and, in season, whales. Gqeberha adds the Boardwalk entertainment complex, a breezy beachfront promenade and a working harbour, while the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, a short drive inland, offers Big Five game viewing and one of the densest elephant populations in Africa. The Garden Route's forests and lagoons begin just to the west, and nature lovers can push on to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, where the Storms River mouth and its swaying suspension bridge are a classic stop. Inland, the private reserves near Addo add more malaria-free Big Five game drives to a beach trip.

Where Should You Stay in Eastern Cape?

Cape St Francis and neighbouring St Francis Bay are the pick for a quiet, surf-and-beach escape, with canals, a lighthouse and that famous point break. Gqeberha, still widely called Port Elizabeth, is the larger, more convenient base, with its beaches, the Boardwalk and easy access to Addo. Nearby Jeffreys Bay, one of the world's most famous surf towns, is an easy add-on for board-riders. Together they make it simple to combine a laid-back seaside stay with a malaria-free safari, without the crowds or prices of the Western Cape.

Which Eastern Cape Staycation Packages Are Available?

Here is a selection of Eastern Cape staycations on offer right now, with live lead-in prices. Prices are per person sharing unless noted, and every package can be paid off in Easy Installments.

Cape St Francis Village Escape (3 nights, from R1,715)

Cape St Francis is a quiet Eastern Cape surf village, known for its famous point break, long beaches and canal-side homes. This 3-night beach break includes 4-star accommodation, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R1,715 per person sharing, down from R2,215. It suits beach lovers and families after easy coastal downtime.

Port Elizabeth Boardwalk City Break (2 nights, from R2,645)

Port Elizabeth is a friendly Eastern Cape coastal city, now officially called Gqeberha, with wide beaches, a breezy promenade and the Boardwalk. This 2-night city break includes 5-star accommodation, daily breakfast, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R2,645 per person sharing, down from R3,145. A handy base for sightseeing, dining and shopping over a few days.

Cape St Francis Surf Getaway (3 nights, from R3,425)

Cape St Francis is a quiet Eastern Cape surf village, known for its famous point break, long beaches and canal-side homes. This 3-night beach break includes 4-star accommodation, daily breakfast, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R3,425 per person sharing, down from R3,925. It suits beach lovers and families after easy coastal downtime.

What Types of Staycation Does Eastern Cape Offer?

• Beach Holidays: seaside stays on the warm coast.
• City Breaks: short, central city stays.

What's Included in an Eastern Cape Staycation Package?

• Star-rated accommodation for your chosen number of nights
• Daily breakfast on most packages (many safari lodges add lunch and dinner)
• Access to hotel and resort facilities
• All applicable taxes in the quoted price
• Easy Installments, so you can spread the cost over time
• Flights and transfers, unless the package says otherwise
• Extra meals and activities not listed on the package

Inclusions vary from one package to the next, so check the individual package for exact details.

Who Are Eastern Cape Staycations Best For?

The Eastern Cape suits beach lovers, surfers and families who want a laid-back coastal break without the crowds or the price tag of the Western Cape. Add Addo and it also works for anyone who wants to combine the seaside with a malaria-free safari. Travellers drawn to this style of getaway often also browse the winelands and coast of the Western Cape.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Eastern Cape?

Spring to autumn, roughly September to April, brings the warmest, driest weather and the best beach and surf conditions, peaking over the summer holidays. Winters are mild but can be windy and cooler for swimming, though they are quiet and good value. For a different-weather option at other times of year, take a look at the Big Five bushveld of Limpopo.

What Should You Know Before You Book?

Gqeberha has an airport and good road links, and the whole coastal belt is malaria-free, including nearby Addo, which makes it an easy, worry-free family choice. Cape St Francis is about an hour's drive from the city. A hire car is the best way to move between the beaches, the town and the game reserve, and prices tend to sit below the Western Cape for a similar coastal feel.

How Do You Plan Your Eastern Cape Trip?

A relaxed coastal break here works well over three to five nights, long enough to settle into the slower pace, surf or swim, and take a day trip to Addo for a Big Five game drive. Surfers and beach lovers base themselves at Cape St Francis, while Gqeberha suits those who want a bit more going on, with its promenade, the Boardwalk and easy airport access. The province is quieter and better value than the Western Cape, and it links naturally with the start of the Garden Route to the west if you fancy extending the trip. Travelwings can help you combine the beach, the city and Addo into one easy itinerary. If you would like to pair this with somewhere different, the Kruger lodges of Mpumalanga makes an easy addition to a longer trip.

How Do You Book an Eastern Cape Staycation?

To book, complete the enquiry form on this page, call the Travelwings South Africa team on +27 (0)12 006 0002, or email holidays.za@travelwings.com. Everything is priced in rand, and Easy Installments let you spread the cost on eligible packages, so you can lock in a rate now and pay it off before you travel.

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Disclaimer: Prices shown are indicative lead-in rates, per person on a double-sharing basis unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability, seasonal demand and change without notice. Inclusions vary by package. Please confirm the current price and details with Travelwings before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions: Eastern Cape Staycations

1. How much does an Eastern Cape staycation cost?
Lead-in prices currently start from around R1,715 per person sharing and reach about R3,425 per person sharing for the most premium lodges and hotels. Most packages sit in between, and the live prices on this page are the best guide.

2. What is the cheapest Eastern Cape staycation package?
At the time of writing, the Cape St Francis Village Escape is the lowest-priced option, from about R1,715 per person sharing.

3. How long are the packages?
Most Eastern Cape staycations run for 2 to 3 nights, with a mix of short weekend breaks and longer stays. You can also ask about extending a package.

4. Are flights included?
These are local staycations, so most packages are accommodation-based and do not include flights, though a few clearly marked fly-in options do. Check the individual package for what is covered.

5. Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Eligible packages can be booked with Easy Installments, letting you secure a rate now and pay it off over time.

6. What is included in an Eastern Cape staycation package?
Packages typically include star-rated accommodation, daily breakfast, access to hotel facilities and all taxes, with inclusions varying by package. Safari packages often add lunch, dinner and daily game drives.

7. When is the best time to visit Eastern Cape?
Spring to autumn, roughly September to April, brings the warmest, driest weather and the best beach and surf conditions, peaking over the summer holidays.

8. How do I book an Eastern Cape staycation?
Complete the enquiry form on this page, call +27 (0)12 006 0002, or email holidays.za@travelwings.com. The Travelwings South Africa team can help you choose a package and arrange Easy Installments.

9. Are these staycations good for families?
Yes: the malaria-free coast and nearby Addo make it a relaxed, worry-free choice for families.

10. Do I need a car?
A hire car is the best way to move between the beaches, Gqeberha and Addo, and to explore the wider coast at your own pace.