East Beach

East Beach is the sand on the eastern side of the Kowie River mouth in Port Alfred, the Eastern Cape seaside town roughly halfway between Gqeberha and East London. It is one of a string of beaches along the town’s waterfront. Surfers rate it as a reliable spot, and Wikivoyage notes that the beaches stretch for kilometres in both directions from the town.

What to expect

The surf is the main draw. East Beach has a right-hand break over a sandy bottom that works at all tides, at its best on a falling tide with a moderate south swell and a southwest or northwest wind. It suits intermediate surfers. Crowds are usually light, though the line-up gets busier in December and January.

The river mouth itself has a history. Between 1839 and 1841 settlers blocked the natural mouth to the east and built a stone-lined channel to the sea, creating what is described as South Africa’s first man-made harbour.

Practical details

• Location: east bank of the Kowie River mouth, Port Alfred.
• Best for: surfing and walking.
• Port Alfred’s Blue Flag beach is Kelly’s Beach, a better choice for a family swim.

Good to know

Take the sea seriously here. Strong rip currents run near the river mouth and its piers, and there are buoys and other man-made hazards in the water. Sharks are present along this coast. If you are not a confident ocean swimmer, keep to wading or swim at a beach with lifeguards on duty.

Last updated 6 October 2026. Sources: Mondo Surf, Wikipedia, Royal St Andrews Hotel, Wikivoyage.