Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Wild Coast

May 28, 2015  —  South Africa 3
Kei Mouth - Wild Coast - South Africa
Crossing the Kei River.

The Wild Coast stretches for nearly 350 kilometres from East London to Port St Johns. Contrary to many other places in South Africa, this area is not dotted with rich houses on the shoreline, but rather with numerous small Xhosa villages. Moreover, there is no road along the shoreline, but a plethora of small roads linking the interior to the coast. Since most of these roads are not paved and often in a not so good state, exploring the area is a small adventure.

Despite the long journeys on bumpy roads, destinations I have visited were all spectacular and greatly worth the effort of going there. I am showing a bunch of photos of several areas of the Wild Coast. Previously, I did a post on Bulungula, also on the Wild Coast.

Kei Mouth - Wild Coast - South Africa
Kei Mouth - Wild Coast - South Africa
Crossing the Kei River.
Cape Morgan Nature Reserve - Wild Coast - South Africa
Small reserve near the Kei River and the village of Cape Morgan.
Wild Coast - South Africa
Wild Coast - South Africa
I was looking for an old shipwreck. It doesn't exist anymore.
Port St. Johns - Wild Coast - South Africa
Shark Warning. Swim at your own risk.
Port St. Johns - Wild Coast - South Africa
It is on this nice beach that there is a shark warning sign (see photo above).
Wild Coast - South Africa
Not bad to be a cow. They have a nice view of the ocean.
Wild Coast - South Africa
Wild Coast - South Africa
line-separator

Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay - Wild Coast - South Africa

Coffee Bay is a small village of 600 inhabitants. The village itself is not so nice, but the shoreline landscapes are spectacular.

Coffee Bay - Wild Coast - South Africa
Coffee Bay - Wild Coast - South Africa
Coffee Bay - Wild Coast - South Africa
line-separator

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall - Wild Coast - South Africa

At only 8 km from Coffee Bay, Hole in the Wall is a rock formation that is aptly named.

Coffee Bay - Wild Coast - South Africa
View of the rock far away on the coast.
Hole in the Wall - Wild Coast - South Africa
Bay facing the 'Hole in the Wall' rock formation.
Hole in the Wall - Wild Coast - South Africa
Hole in the Wall.
Hole in the Wall - Wild Coast - South Africa
line-separator

Umdumbi

Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
On the road to Umdumbi, there is this bus wreck. I like its name since it refers to the region as well as the book/film of the same name.
Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
At Umdumbi, I stayed in this small backpacker place with a superb view on the ocean.
Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
I liked this place since I had the impression of sleeping in the middle of a village. Notice my vehicle in the photo...
Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
View on the Umdumbi River mouth.
Umdumbi - Wild Coast - South Africa
View on the Umdumbi River mouth.
line-separator

Hluleka Nature Reserve

Here is another nice spot along the Wild Coast.

Hluleka Nature Reserve - Wild Coast - South Africa
Hluleka Nature Reserve - Wild Coast - South Africa
Hluleka Nature Reserve - Wild Coast - South Africa