Morgan Bay

Mention Morgan’s Bay to any Eastern Cape local (or true South African for that matter) and there is very good chance that you will hear more than just a few stories of their childhood and family holidays spent here. Morgan’s Bay is undoubtedly the Wild Coast’s favourite family holiday destination.

The dramatic coastal cliffs, perfect sandy beaches and indigenous coastal forest are synonymous with the Wild Coast, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here at Morgan’s Bay – it’s a quintessential Wild Coast town. Surrounded by fynbos, grassland and forest, you’ll find peace and tranquility here if you haven’t already found it on the shores of the beautiful lagoon, or in the stunning view of the Indian Ocean.

Beachcombing is one of the local’s favourite activities here, and is a fun thing to join in on for a morning’s or afternoon’s fun at low tide. Apparently, you can still find Cornelia and Ming China beads here (a worthy holiday memoir) along Bead beach, which was the site of the Santa Espirito wreck in 1608.

The Morgan’s Bay lagoon is home to one of the largest breeding populations of African Fish Eagle in South Africa, and their unforgettable calls will leave you with a priceless memory of your time here. You can enjoy their calls while paddling up-river or relaxing on the shores of the lagoon.

Getting there: from East London, take the N2 going towards Umtata. Turn off at the R349 going into Kei Mouth. Just before Kei Mouth, turn off at Link Road, which is signposted as heading into Morgan’s Bay.