Sporting Mecca

Port Elizabeth offers a huge variety of Sport & Recreational Activities.

The many different sports clubs throughout the city cater for a variety of all-year or seasonal sporting activities such as: squash, volleyball, badminton, tennis, cricket, motor-racing, horse-racing, soccer, hockey, golf, bowls and rugby.

The city hosts a variety of national and international sporting events at various venues such as the Sahara Oval St. George’s and the new state-of-the-artNelson Mandela Bay Stadium which hosted the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, and is now used for local and international sporting events and concerts. Other activities in the surrounding areas include blackwater tubing, abseiling, walks and hiking opportunities in indigenous forests, guided hikes, beautiful day walks, as well as bass- and fly fishing. If you plan on going fly fishing make sure to get the best wading boots. The Sahara Oval St. George’s is the oldest cricket ground in South Africa, which plays host to both ODI and test cricket matches.  It was the venue for the first test match played outside of Australia or England, between South Africa and England on the 12 and 13 March 1889.

Nelson Mandela Bay is also proud host to the Iron Man South Africa endurance challenge, and also horse racing – which is held at both the Arlington and the Fairview Race Courses, providing entertainment and excitement for both locals and tourists.

Water Sport Capital

The Bay, tagged as the “Water sport Capital” of Africa, offers unrivalled conditions in addition to an abundance of action packed activities throughout the year. Surf lifesaving, rubber ducking, jet-skiing, canoeing, surfing, paragliding and power-boating events are held on a regular basis. Jeffreys Bay, a neighbouring coastal town, is world renowned as the Surf Mecca of the world and is home to the world’s best right hand surf break. Jeffreys Bay also hosts the annual Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, which draws the world’s top surfers each year.

Port Elizabeth is also home to scuba diving (with some spectacular reefs to choose from), game fishing charters as well as other types of fishing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and snorkeling.  There are a number of dive centers to contact to organise a trip out, and various fishing operators to choose from.  All hire out equipment.

Sailing is a popular past-time and you will find all kinds of craft out in the bay on a good day.  You will often see yachts, catamarans and canoes gliding through the warm waters, creating a wonderful visual if you are gazing out over the bay.  There are many cruises offered from the harbour, from sunset cruises to view dolphins to whale watching tours.

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) is based in Port Elizabeth and has been host to many national and international sailing events.  The club has a very active sailing section, marina, convivial pub and excellent restaurant with a great view all combining to make the club a number one choice to visit. Competitive sailing takes place every weekend throughout the sailing season and social Wednesday Evening Sailing is open to all.  ABYC is conveniently situated within the precincts of the Port Elizabeth Harbour just north of the National Sea Rescue (NSRI) and Port Elizabeth Deep Sea Angling Club

Adventure Sport

The Action-Seeker needs to look no further as Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas are jam-packed with adventure.

Activities include horse riding and quad biking over the dunes and along the beach in specific demarcated areas. Cyclists can keep active on safe tarred roads or take the scenic gravel roads through beautiful farmlands and nature areas.  There are a selection of tour operators for either a ride on the beach or a cycle tour of your choice.  Some cycle shops hire out bicycles – contact Coimbra Cycle Centre in 4th Avenue, Newton Park; Action Cycles on Heugh Road in Walmer or Cyclo Pro on the William Moffet Expressway.

Hiking and walks

Visitors can hike along the coast over endless golden beaches; cool off in pools along the way, canoe up quiet waterways, and soak up the beauty of nature.

The Coastal Fynbos Trail is a circular trail of about 7 km which starts at Sappershoek, located at the east end of the seaside village of Schoenmakerskop. It is an inland route which meanders through the coastal fynbos to a cellphone tower, and returns to Sappershoek along the top of the ridge overlooking the sea.

The Aloe Trail comprises two trails: one of 2 km, marked with yellow arrows, and a longer one of 7 km (3 hours), marked with red arrows. Both start at a gate at the top of Tippers Creek Road, between Amsterdamhoek and Bluewater Bay. The trail takes a circular route via the escarpment overlooking Amsterdamhoek, returning through valley bushveld on the plateau. The walks are suitable for reasonably fit persons, who are advised to walk in a group, wear stout shoes and take a sunhat and drinking water. NO DOGS are allowed.

The Roseate Tern Hiking Trail is a 9km circular hike that starts at the entrance gate of the Cape Recife Nature Reserve –  a 366 hectare reserve situated next to the Pine Lodge Holiday Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand.  The reserve offers beautiful unspoilt beaches, natural dune vegetation, rocky outcrops, a lighthouse built in 1851, an old military observation post, as well as a bird hide.

Canoeing

The Nukakamma PPC Canoe Trail on the picturesque Sundays River starts from a peaceful little hamlet situated less than 40 km north of Port Elizabeth.  “Nukakamma” meaning “grassy water”, is the name given by the Hottentots to the River because of its verdant grassy banks.  The trail offers an abundance of bird-life with the area recording over 230 species.

The two-day trail can be as short as 32 km or as long as 50 km, depending on how fit or energetic the canoeist is. Please note that this is an overnight Canoe Trail. Canoes are also available for hire on a daily basis.

The Nukakamma Canoe Trail is the only Green Flag Status Canoe Trail in South Africa.

Reference:

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism

Photographic Credit:

Ironman photos supplied by World Endurance South Africa / Mike Holmes