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St
Francis Bay - only an hour's drive from the
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
This is the essence of St Francis Bay,
once you experience this lifestyle, it becomes a
precious memory to cherish forever.
Discover
this unique paradise on South Africa's Sunshine Coast
and enjoy the glorious beaches, excellent water sports,
world renowned golf courses and fine dining in un-spoilt
surroundings. Situated midway between Port
Elizabeth and Knysna, St Francis Bay offers a delightful
escape from the "hustle and bustle" and is a haven of
peace and tranquility.
St
Francis Bay was first sighted by Portuguese
sailors in 1575 and named after the Patron Saint of
Sailors, St Francis. What you see today has been
pioneered by men like Leighton Hulett, who in 1954, set
up a humble fishing camp on his farm "Goedgeloof".
It was his insistence on a certain amount of uniformity
that gives St Francis Bay its unique character.
Leighton later went on to acquire more land on the banks
of the Kromme River, where in 1968 he began work on the
beginnings of the impressive canals you can see today.
St
Francis Bay is truly a paradise for water sport
enthusiasts. Windsurfing, water skiing,
snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing, exploring the canals
by canoe and diving are only a few of the activities
that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The
emphasis is on outdoor life, with the bracing sea air,
sunshine and un-spoilt surroundings. Fishing in
the deep sea, the river, the surf and from the rocks are
all exciting possibilities with bait being plentiful
while the waters teem with many good eating and game
fish. The beaches epitomize perfection - the
whitest, cleanest stretches of sand on the South African
coastline. For land-based activities there are 2
golf courses and the Links Golf Course is considered to
be the closes to a Scottish links to be found anywhere
in South Africa. There are active bowls, squash
and tennis clubs and there are many hiking / walking
trails.
St
Francis Bay is home to Bruce's Beauties, one of
the world's best know beach breaks, featured in the 60's
cult film "Endless Summer".
Cape
St Francis, visualised by John Booysen, who made
a swop of his Chevrolet car for part of a farm bordering
the lighthouse at Seal Point, in 1965, after just two
years, the farm was proclaimed the town of Cape St
Francis.
The
Kromme River some days is a living mirror and on
other days resemble a strong sea. It is
navigatable for 8 kilometers and is the favourite of
many a fisherman and sailing enthusiast.
Port
St Francis is a commercial harbour, built in
1995, has always held a unique charm because of both its
size and the constant activity. It is home to the
largest squid fleet in South Africa and also harbours
many yachts.
Those fortunate enough to stay in St Francis Bay will
certainly testify to the extraordinary sunsets and
equally invigorating sunrises. It is this harmony
with nature that makes St Francis extra special!
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