South Africa Guide
The Eastern Cape
The beachfront
PE's wonderful beaches are its main attraction. The protection provided by Algoa Bay makes them safe for swimming (that said, it's best to do so between the lifeguard beacons), and clean enough to make beachcombing a pleasure.
The first of the beaches is beautiful, wide King's Beach, which is somewhat marred by a jumble of coal heaps and oil tanks behind it. To the southeast lies Humewood Beach, across the road from which is a complex housing Bayworld Museum, Oceanarium and Snake Park (daily 9am–4.30pm; R35, children half-price); the Oceanarium (performing dolphin and seal shows 11am & 3pm) brings huge pleasure to hordes of excited children during the holidays. Brookes Pavilion next door and Dolphin's Leap nearby are complexes of restaurants, pubs and clubs with great views. Beyond, to the south, Hobie Beach and Summerstrand are great for walking and sunbathing, with one dive operator based at the latter. Summerstrand's Boardwalk Casino Complex has some pleasing shops, including an indigenous crafts market, cinemas and some reasonable eating places.