The Eastern Cape's Sunshine Coast between St Francis Bay and East London boasts a subtropical climate, with temperatures in winter reaching an average of 21° C while summer temperatures climb to 28°C, sometimes soaring into the mid 30's, offering warmer sea temperatures of up to 24°C. East London has a more moderate temperature with pleasant summer sunshine and mild winters. Increased altitudes further inland means colder weather, often with a sprinkling of snow during colder spells.

Eastern Cape Beaches

Renown for its unspoilt coastline and warm waters, the beaches on offer are a nature and sport enthusiasts paradise. Jeffrey’s Bay is recognized as one of the world’s classic left breaks, attracting armature and Pro surfers alike, and hosts a constant stream of world event competitions, like the Billabong World Pro Tour. For a quieter holiday there’s Kenton-on-sea, rating as one of South Africa’s best beaches. Enjoy all types of fishing, deep-sea, river or beach-front, or spot the whales, and occasionally you’ll find yourself swimming with dolphins.

Addo Elephant National Park

One of South Africa’s premium game reserves a 350 000 ha megapark. Originally home to 11 elephants, under the parks protection, proclaimed in 1931, the population has grown to some 450 strong. Visitors can get up close in actually interact with these massive, but highly intelligent, gentle animals. Elephants are no doubt considered one of the “big five” of Africa. The park has the other four as well; king of the wild the Lion, the prehistoric Rhino, the temperamental Buffalo, and the elusive Leopard. The park is also home to migrant whales, and the great white shark! making it the “Big Seven” Sounds like Africa, well it is. The largest breeding population of Cape Gannets live here and you can traverse unrivalled natural diversity - five of South Africa's seven major vegetation zones (biomes). What’s more it’s so close to major centers, hardly a stones throw from Port Elizabeth. If you’re touring. Go there.

Bayworld

A major venue for tourism and education is one of the Eastern Capes biggest attractions, Port Elizabeth’s Bay World. A range of major exhibits are on offer, a museum, an oceanarium, the snake park and a National Monument, a typical family home from the mid-Victorian period, No 07 Castle Hill. See fully-rigged models of early sailing ships at the Maritime Hall or observe various species of fish in the underwater observation area. The Museum exhibits the skeleton of the last Southern Right Whale harpooned in Nelson Mandela Bay. The prime attraction is the dolphin and seal shows, which take place twice daily. If you’re in Port Elizabeth for a day or two, we’ll see you there.

The East London Aquarium

Not the biggest aquarium in South Africa, the East London Aquarium does however boasts a range of unique features making it a definite venue. View migrating whales from the whale deck and pier, with blue flags indicating whale sightings. Visitors can view the sharks in the tank built above the shoreline rocks or view the rehabilitation process of birds and fish injured by pollution or nets. A major attraction is the seals, with two shows, or viewing’s held daily.

The Maloti Route

Looking for one of those scenic drives, where you kind of forget about yourself for a while the scenery is so captivating. Well take a slow meander through this scenic route, spanning the borders of South Africa and Lesotho, the mountainsides are to be behold. The Maloti Route offers visitors the chance to experience a range of cultures, traditional Basotho villages, Xhosa lifestyles, and English and Afrikaans settler ways of life. Enjoy collectable superb quality arts and crafts, and yes, step onto the ski-slopes!, travel on horseback to visit rock art sites, or tackle epic 4x4 trails. With plenty of accommodation on offer, the Maloti Route is the ultimate adventure experience. Any visitor, that’s every visitor to the Eastern Cape has to see this.

Bird Watching

Bird Watchers confess, if you’re one, the Eastern Cape is a haven for you. With 170 species in the Addo Elephant National Park alone. The largest breeding population of the Cape Gannet, and the second largest African penguin population. See spectacular birds such as the endangered Cape Parrot, the Secretary Bird and the Martial Eagle, the exotic Leorie bird, the emblem for South Africa’s Advertising awards - take a trip to Jeffrey's Bay for more interesting species. Buffalo City is a prime spot for viewing exotic birds like the paradise flycatcher, trumpeter hornbill and the rare mangrove kingfisher. Bird-lovers should not miss this opportunity!

The Tsitsikamma Region

The Tsitsikamma region on the Garden Route, a tropical rain forest, is one of the most beautiful places to visit, offering high mountains, deep gorges and a rugged coastline - ideal for hiking. The Tsitsikamma Adventure Tour, starting in Port Elizabeth, offers an exploration into this beautiful world of indigenous flora, with the Tsitsikamma Forest being home to yellowwood trees over 800 years old.

Tree Topping

Try a Tree Topping adventure? Platforms are built high up in giant Yellowwood trees, and harnessed adventure seekers use pulleys and cables to explore a mystical world through the tree tops. See incredible birdlife, the famous Knysna Lourie, or catch a glimpse of the shy Samago monkey. One of only three Tee Top experiences in the world. Not to be missed!

No 7 Castle Hill Museum

Take a step back in time at Port Elizabeth's No 7 Castle Hill Museum, considered one of the oldest Settler cottages in Port Elizabeth still standing. The homestead dates back to 1827, with yellowwood floors and beams, and a slate roof. The kitchen, dollhouse and lace displays reflect the history and elegant lifestyle that middle-class English families enjoyed in the mid nineteenth century.

Eastern Cape Shipwrecks

Strong winds, a perilous coastline, and a reputation for giant killer waves have made the Eastern Cape a veritable graveyard of sunken ships, offering some of the best diving sites of this type in the world. Depths range from three to 40m and reefs are mostly only accessible by boat. Along the sunshine coast you’ll find the wreck of the Santissimo Sacramento from 1647 and, more recently, the MV Kapodistrias, which sank in 1985 before a beach of helpless spectators. One of the most recent wrecks is that of the Oceanos, which sank off the Wild Coast in 1993, in only 25 minutes after all 220 passengers and crew were lifted to safety. There are many, many other gems lining the coast all the way to Bird Island, famous for the sinking of the Doddington in 1755. Just 23 of her crew of 270 survived when the ship struck rock at midnight. Survivors then endured seven months on the uninhabited island before being rescued. The Doddington offers good visibility making it a prime dive site, and with the suggestion of buried treasure, worth a trip to the deep. Further along the coast between Port Alfred and Gonubie lie numerous relatively unexplored dive-sites and wrecks. Here the best time to dive is from May to August, but sea conditions are known to change extremely fast, which makes planning a dive trip an exercise in experience. Unlicensed divers go with caution. Boat and shore dives are possible to the dramatic underwater world, full of colour. Magnificent corals and sponges and unusually large fish characterize this area – and yes we have sharks. Trippy stuff.

The Valley of Desolation

A short trip from this 18th century town of Graaff-Reinet lie the sheer cliffs and precariously balanced 120 meter tall Dolerite columns, a product of volcanic and erosive forces that occurred over 100 million years ago. Visitors to the reserve will not only be rewarded by this spectacular wonder of nature, but also by a range of flora and fauna, excellent bird watching, the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, kudu, buffalo and the majestic Black Eagle. Only in Africa baby.

World’s Highest Bungee Jump

The world's highest bungee-jumping site is to be found at Bloukrans River Bridge crossing the storm river some 216 below. This is X generation stuff, or maybe even Y, that’s why, yes a dash of insanity will be experienced, before during or afterwards. A daring adrenaline-rushing dive from this bridge ensures a dazzling bit of sensory bending freefall of 160 meters, he he, only in Africa.

The Grahamstown National Arts Festival

The Grahamstown National Arts Festival takes place every year in July, and is possibly the Eastern Cape's biggest annual event. Culture buffs, from the I say - to the Sho-wa clan , students and families alike, flock to the university town to enjoy everything related to the arts, be it drama, dance, opera and cabaret, or fine art, crafts and alternative fashion, jazz and poetry or just general self expression. Even if Jo Public feels the need for a bit of democratically hard won freedom of expression, it all goes here folks. Streets are transformed into a living theatre offering all sort of activities including all night dance parties, medieval banquets and jovial carnivals – a unique event that has capture the imagination of South Africans.

The National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology

This year 2006, Dr Jane Goodall world famous for her pioneering work with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, Tanzania gave a lecture on hope at the annual Sasol SciFest. This annual Science Festival aimed at developing South Africans young minds, takes place in March in Grahamstown, featuring some 600 events, including lectures, laser shows, robotics, competitions, field trips and even a film festival. Plenty of entertainment is on offer, with over 35 000 visitors attending every year.

Billabong Pro Surfing Competition

Every year in July hoards of people flock to Jeffrey's Bay to witness world-class surfers in action. See them take on the Bay's famous 200 meter give or take left hand break “Super Tubes”, as they compete for the Pro World Champoinship title and some fairly serious prize money. When not watching the surfing, there is plenty to do in Jeffrey's Bay, including the Shell Museum or Penguin Rehabilitation Centre. Otherwise book a tour further out to enjoy a leisurely horse-back ride or feel the wind in your hair as you try your hand at sand boarding.

Adventure Sand boarding

A mixture of surfing and snowboarding, sand boarding is easy to learn and great fun. Take a full or half day expedition to the pristine dunes in Jeffrey's Bay to enjoy the sun and sand. Tour operators include instruction, equipment, transport and refreshments, so slap on the sunscreen and get going – you will never want to stop!

Absailing

You don't need to be an experienced abseiler to participate in the Storms River Gorge abseil – even the novice is welcome. The 35 km route is relatively easy, offering spectacular gravity defying, unspoilt scenery, with huge rock formations above and the meandering river below. A great opportunity to experience something different.

Blackwater Tubing

The ultimate in kloofing adventure, experience breathtaking scenery and fun adventure as you follow the path of the Storms River Gorge. For the more energetic sign up for the Storms river Gorge Challenge, where you will abseil 110 meters down the cliff, enjoy two hours of exhilarating blackwater tubing, before guiding your mountain bike over 22 km of unspoilt beauty – hard work but worth it!

The Frontier Country Route

In the 19th Century the Eastern Cape's Frontier was the scene of nine Frontier Wars between the British and the Xhosa, and today it presents a range of attractions, including battlefields and old forts, monuments and museums, ethnic villages, arts, culture and annual festivals. A must for any history lover, particularly for the beautiful rural scenery.

Graaff-Reinet

Take a step back in time to the 18th Century town of Graaff-Reinet, where you can enjoy a range of interesting exhibits and attractions. Included in the Museum complex is the Reinet, displaying a beautiful collection of period furniture, the Old Residency with its showcase of firearms and musical instruments, and the Old Library Museum, the town's first library, offering a display of fossils and art.

Grahamstown

Visit this 19th century English cathedral town, largely untouched by modern development, well known for its student population due to its large university. Enjoy olden day settler cottages, Victorian villas and Georgian mansions, or surround yourself with the history of gothic cathedrals, barracks, monuments and museums.

Shopping Malls

The big cities all offer convenient shopping malls with large retailers selling everything from clothing and shoes to medicines and groceries. Shopping malls such as Greenacres in Port Elizabeth and Vincent Park in East London also offer cinemas and a range of restaurants and coffee shops. If it is affordable surf gear that you are looking for Jeffrey's Bay is the surfing Mecca, offering a range of surf shops as well as the Billabong and Quicksilver factory shops. Most tourist attractions also have small curio shops selling attractive African pieces.

Craft Markets

The Eastern Cape's various towns offer plenty of bargaining possibilities, with Port Elizabeth and East London boasting plenty of beachfront craft and flea markets, particularly over the holiday season. The craft markets offer all sorts of interesting wares, including African masks, woodcarvings, beaded goods, clothing, jewellery and other collectables.