PE’s Northern Beaches
Port Elizabeth’s Northern Beaches
New Brighton Beach, Blue Water Bay, Well’s Estate and St Georges Beach – great swimming, sand-boarding and angling!
The Northern Beaches are just as good as the ‘Southern Beaches’ as far as water quality, cleanliness and facilities go, and possibly even better when one considers that they are out of PE’s central city limits and boast wide dune areas – great for sand-boarding.
These beaches are known for their rip currents however, and though they are swimming beaches, caution is advised in some areas. Look out for rip current warnings and stay in safe swimming areas.
The Northern beaches are also popular angling beaches.
New Brighton Beach
North of the Harbour, just past Zwartkops River Mouth estuary and Deal Party, New Brighton Beach boasts a promenade, children’s playground and change rooms. There are also life savers towers, manned during the summer months only.
Blue Water Bay Beach
A little further on past New Brighton Beach, Blue Water Bay also has a children’s playground and change rooms and is popular surf spot.
Both New Brighton Beach and Blue Water Bay boast wide dunes and safe swimming. These beaches are also popular among anglers.
Well’s Estate Beach
PE’s other Blue Flag Beach, Well’s Estate Beach is north of Bluewater Bay and was awarded Blue Flag Status in 2010. Well’s Estate Beach is incorporated in the Well’s Estate entertainment area, and is popular among locals.
St George’s Beach
The most northerly of Port Elizabeth’s Beaches is St George’s Beach (or St George’s Strand)
Maitland River Mouth
Maitland River Mouth Beach is several kilometres long and a popular sand-boarding spot thanks to a huge dune called the ‘Maitland Mountain’. The 250ha area is a nature reserve boasting lush coastal bush and dunes, and there are several walking trails backing the beach. This beach is for nature lovers, birdwatchers, sand-boarders and anyone with an inner kid and strong legs who will find entertainment and enjoyment climbing up and down the dunes. The swimming is safe, though it’s always wise to be vigilant near river mouths along South Africa’s coastline. Don’t swim here when it’s cloudy or if you see seal and/or whale activity. Sharks are known to frequent river mouths, particularly when there is animal activity in the water. There are no ‘beach facilities’ per se, and no lifeguards.