Kenton-on-Sea is a superb little place where all that matters is the sea and the sand, and the rivers and the canoes.
There are no night clubs and shopping malls, no movie theatres or electronic gaming centres in Kenton on Sea and this makes it a wonderful ‘back to basics’ holiday location where you and your family can relax and enjoy sunny South Africa.
There is a huge possibility that you won’t find a nicer and more appealing little town than Kenton-on-Sea. Also known as simply Kenton, Kenton is found along the Sunshine Coast between the Bushmans and Kariega Rivers, and about 130 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. It is also only 180 kilometres from East London. Only a couple thousand people live in Kenton and it is a predominantly English speaking community. However, a lot more people are in the area during the summer holidays, as Kenton is a popular holiday destination.
The beaches of Kenton are gorgeous and perfect for swimming, various forms of water activities and walking. There are caves to explore, interesting rock formations to admire and rock pools that are excellent for snorkelling. A few sheltered bays make exceptional swimming areas as well. Many people also love to go out past the waves for some deep-sea fishing. Kenton’s main beach has a Blue Flag status and is referred to as Kariega Beach. A short stroll will lead to you Carriage Rock and Mermaid’s pool, with shallow waters ideal for splashing with the kids.
Due to Kenton’s superb location, the sea is not the only body of water that attracts holiday-makers. The Kariega River is another perfect spot for boating, canoeing and swimming, and is lovely for those who prefer to avoid the waves of the sea. The river is navigable for 16 kilometres and has an abundance of birdlife. Other sorts of wildlife may also be spotted along the riverbanks. A little way from Kenton, the Bushmans River is navigable for 32 kilometres and is yet another great place to be for summer holidays.
Kenton-on-Sea’s surrounding area is beautiful and ideal for mountain biking, hiking or horse-riding. Walking and riding often take place along the beach, but the inland trails are magnificent to experience as well. Nearby, Kariega Game Reserve boasts not only the Big 5, but the Big 7 too, which includes the leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, southern right whale and great white shark. The reserve is a family owned and operated establishment that covers 9000 hectares of wilderness. The wildlife is abundant and the game drives and river cruises are spectacular. Sibuya Game Reserve is another superb safari destination very nearby to Kenton-on-Sea. In fact, Sibuya can only be reached by boat, and the meeting point for visitors is in Kenton.
There are many places in Kenton from where the large marine animals can be spotted. The great white sharks can be seen at almost any time of the year, but the southern right whales are mainly noticeable between June and November.
Kenton-on-Sea offers several noteworthy places of accommodation and some friendly restaurants and coffee shops that are thoroughly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. There is a super floating restaurant that has been in operation for over twenty years, and which is a great place for a meal. You can sit inside the gently rocking boat or outdoors on the deck.
Accommodation Options
Beaches Nearby
Some more beautiful beaches are just a few kilometers drive from Kenton-on-Sea. They always make an excellent day’s outing.
Boknes Beach – 10.8 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and superb for kite-surfing, fishing and swimming.
Cannon Rocks – 15.9 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and a quiet area perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.
Kasouga Beach – 8.2 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea, this gorgeous beach is ideal for canoeing, hiking or surfing, and small wildlife can be spotted in the area, such as the rare Oribi antelope and the bush buck.
Kelly’s Beach – 26.8 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea, this is one of the country’s prestigious international Blue Flag beaches. It features two viewing decks ideal for whale and dolphin watching and excellent facilities.
Attractions Nearby
Port Alfred is a mere 27 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and has a number of things to offer its visitors. Here you can browse the Kowie History Museum that focuses on the social history of the historic Albany District and various aspects of the settlers between 1820 and 1889. You will also find the names of 4000 British settlers and their immediate descendants on an old card. Port Alfred is extremely popular for its Fish River Sun Country Club, with an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player. The golf course is just 1.2 kilometers from the ocean. Another opportunity for golfing in this area can be found at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club, which was established in 1907. This is a lovely, old-fashioned course with an atmosphere of the early 1900’s. Furthermore, you can participate in half or full day bird-watching tours, go horse-riding on the beach or visit the Cape Workshop, which has some fine Cape yellow wood furniture.
Bathurst is also about 27 kilometers from Kenton, and is a small farming community. Bathurst’s main attraction is the Big Pineapple, the largest pineapple on earth! Not a genuine pineapple of course, but a pretty good replica of the real thing that was built to pay tribute to the agricultural success of this fruit in the area. You can go inside and learn more about the pineapple industry and visit the tourist shop. Nearby, the Porcupine Pub sells some marvelous pineapple cocktails.
Alexandria is a beautiful seaside location just 30 kilometres from Kenton. Hiking enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the 2-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, which passes the ‘Waterboom’ or ‘Lekkerboom’ (a huge yellowwood tree with a reservoir of water at the base of its trunk) and the wreck of the Nidaros, an old steam boat. Wildlife in the area includes jackals, duikers, hairy-footed gerbils, rare tree dassies, bushbuck and many bird species. Hikers will stay overnight in the Langebos Huts that have mattresses and rainwater tanks. The hike goes through the beautiful Woody Cape Nature Reserve that is now part of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park.
Some of the best game reserves in the Eastern Cape can be found nearby Kenton-on-Sea. They include the prestigious Pumba Private Game Reserve and the well-known Addo Elephant National Park. Pumba is famous for its prides of rare white lions, while Addo is by far the best place to see great herds of huge elephants. Very often, you can also enjoy watching young elephants playing around and splashing in the waterholes.
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- Accommodation
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Accommodation Options
- Beaches Nearby
Beaches Nearby
Some more beautiful beaches are just a few kilometers drive from Kenton-on-Sea. They always make an excellent day’s outing.
Boknes Beach – 10.8 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and superb for kite-surfing, fishing and swimming.
Cannon Rocks – 15.9 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and a quiet area perfect for families and nature enthusiasts.
Kasouga Beach – 8.2 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea, this gorgeous beach is ideal for canoeing, hiking or surfing, and small wildlife can be spotted in the area, such as the rare Oribi antelope and the bush buck.
Kelly’s Beach – 26.8 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea, this is one of the country’s prestigious international Blue Flag beaches. It features two viewing decks ideal for whale and dolphin watching and excellent facilities.
- Attractions Nearby
Attractions Nearby
Port Alfred is a mere 27 kilometers from Kenton-on-Sea and has a number of things to offer its visitors. Here you can browse the Kowie History Museum that focuses on the social history of the historic Albany District and various aspects of the settlers between 1820 and 1889. You will also find the names of 4000 British settlers and their immediate descendants on an old card. Port Alfred is extremely popular for its Fish River Sun Country Club, with an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player. The golf course is just 1.2 kilometers from the ocean. Another opportunity for golfing in this area can be found at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club, which was established in 1907. This is a lovely, old-fashioned course with an atmosphere of the early 1900’s. Furthermore, you can participate in half or full day bird-watching tours, go horse-riding on the beach or visit the Cape Workshop, which has some fine Cape yellow wood furniture.
Bathurst is also about 27 kilometers from Kenton, and is a small farming community. Bathurst’s main attraction is the Big Pineapple, the largest pineapple on earth! Not a genuine pineapple of course, but a pretty good replica of the real thing that was built to pay tribute to the agricultural success of this fruit in the area. You can go inside and learn more about the pineapple industry and visit the tourist shop. Nearby, the Porcupine Pub sells some marvelous pineapple cocktails.
Alexandria is a beautiful seaside location just 30 kilometres from Kenton. Hiking enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy the 2-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, which passes the ‘Waterboom’ or ‘Lekkerboom’ (a huge yellowwood tree with a reservoir of water at the base of its trunk) and the wreck of the Nidaros, an old steam boat. Wildlife in the area includes jackals, duikers, hairy-footed gerbils, rare tree dassies, bushbuck and many bird species. Hikers will stay overnight in the Langebos Huts that have mattresses and rainwater tanks. The hike goes through the beautiful Woody Cape Nature Reserve that is now part of the Greater Addo Elephant National Park.
Some of the best game reserves in the Eastern Cape can be found nearby Kenton-on-Sea. They include the prestigious Pumba Private Game Reserve and the well-known Addo Elephant National Park. Pumba is famous for its prides of rare white lions, while Addo is by far the best place to see great herds of huge elephants. Very often, you can also enjoy watching young elephants playing around and splashing in the waterholes.
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There are few words that adequately describe Kenton-on-Sea, but we feel that it has its own uniquely delightful atmosphere, and that it is a small paradise of blue seas and skies and golden sand where time seems to stand still. There is none of the rush and hurry of a city or bigger town, things move at their own pace and lazy strolls along the beach or afternoon dozes by the river are just fine. Kenton is the perfect place to relax, build a stronger bond with your loved ones or begin your future as a newly married couple.
Please feel welcome to browse our accommodation options or to contact us for more information about this gorgeous river and seaside holiday destination.