Eastern Cape - Unexpectedly Exceptional

When Mother Nature shows her unexpected sides she reveals her treasured Eastern Cape.

Defined as one of South Africa’s most naturally diverse areas with 5 ecosystems that include valley bushveld, savannah grassland, fynbos, riverine forest and woodland, the Eastern Cape is filled with unexpected treasures that, once discovered, will rejuvenate the soul and inspire the spirit.

Offering a unique “One World” experience, the Eastern Cape will captivate you. Embrace you. Surprise you. And then offer you even more …………..

An 800km coastline of wide-open sandy beaches, secluded lagoons, sheer cliffs and rocky coves. Where treasured creatures of the sea gently frolic to welcome their new additions.

St. Francis Bay - the exceptional coastal paradise

St. Francis Bay is renowned for its defined, uncluttered lifestyle where relaxation, true friendship and quality time is found in abundance.

This is a haven where the physical, the mental and the spiritual are well cared for - providing one with the sense of unexpected wellbeing that brings harmony, balance and refreshment of life to all. St. Francis Bay is fresh air, open spaces, gentle pathways, great golf, lots to do and a community of friends for all those fading sunsets……a truly healthy diet for those who are hungry for life.

St. Francis Bay, situated on one of South Africa’s finest stretches of coastline, offers a moderate all year round coastal climate experience - warm summers, mild winters, fair breezes and calm seas.

With a major airport within an easy 90 minute drive and an excellent road network, getting to the exceptional coastal paradise is simply effortless.

St. Francis Bay is ideally located to conveniently offer a wide variety of activity catering for young and old, the active and the not so sporty:
• Scenic hiking trails - in and around the area
• Bird watching - there are more bird species to be found here than in the entire USA
• Game parks - easy drive your way to one of 13 reserves including Addo Elephant and Shamwari
• Snorkelling, diving and spear-fishing
• Sunbathing - St. Francis Bay boasts the highest number of sunshine hours on the S.A. coastline
• World-class surfing at Bruce’s Beauties
• Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rubber-ducking, kite surfing and skiing
• Angling and deep-sea fishing
• Cycling - on and off-road
• Adventure sports - bungee-jumping, rafting, sand boarding and treetop surfing
• Fine dining and shopping.

St. Francis Bay is now officially recognised as the “Eastern Gateway” to the Garden Route golfing experience - thanks to a few visionary individuals like Jack Nicklaus, who successfully established the golf course of St. Francis links for an exceptional golfing experience.

St Francis Bay was first sighted by Portuguese sailors in 1575 and is named after the Patron Saint of Sailors, St Francis. Situated only an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth and only 15 minutes off the N2, St Francis Bay beckons.

This unique and exclusive paradise on South Africa's Kouga Coast draws holiday-makers from all over the world to enjoy the glorious beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, excellent water-sport facilities, a leisurely lifestyle and the magical beauty of its unspoilt surroundings.

This magnificent up-market village is unique in that the architecture with its aesthetic uniformity blend harmoniously with the green of the indigenous heritage which surrounds it.

The Kromme River, navigable for 10km's twists and winds its way down to an extensive canal system lined with charming white-walled homes with thatched roofs, offering residents and holiday makers an exotic marina lifestyle. The marina gives way to Mediterranean styled homes crowned with terracotta tiles in Santareme and luxury apartments, encircling the turquoise waters, at Port St Francis.

In the distance lies the informal village of Cape St Francis with its historical lighthouse and 15km's to the west, Oyster Bay. The lighthouse was built in 1878 to warn ships of the dangerous reefs that stretch more than a kilometre out to sea. It is the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast, standing at a height of 27.5 meters and is now a National Monument.

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 unspoilt 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.

Rediscover healthy outdoor living in excellent company. There are walks and trails, acres of fynbos and in early summer wild flowers carpet a large expanse with purples, yellows and whites. With its sheltered waters in the river and the bay, water sports are very popular in St Francis Bay.

The Kromme River, some days a living mirror, sometimes resembling a strong sea, is navigable for 8 kilometres and is the favourite of many a fisherman and sailing enthusiast.

The beaches epitomize perfection - the whitest, cleanest stretches of sand on the South African coastline. St Francis Bay is home to Bruce’s Beauties, one of the worlds best known beach breaks, featured in the 60’s cult film Endless Summer. Those fortunate enough to stay in St Francis will certainly testify to the extraordinary sunsets and equally invigorating sunrises. It is this harmony with nature that makes St Francis extra special.

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 unspoilt 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.

For land-based activities there’s the Golf Course, which is considered to be the closest to a Scottish links to be found anywhere in South Africa. One can also take a leisurely horseback ride along the pristine white beaches of the bay, or through the hills colourfully clothed in rare Cape coastal fynbos. there are active bowls, squash and tennis clubs, you’ll never run out of opportunities to enjoy St Francis.

Rediscover healthy outdoor living in excellent company. There are walks and tails, acres of fynbos and in early summer wild flowers carpet a large expanse with purples, yellows and whites. With its sheltered waters in the river and the bay, water sports are very popular in St Francis Bay.

The Kromme River, some days a living mirror, sometimes resembling a strong sea, is navigable for 8 kilometres and is the favorite of many a fisherman and sailing enthusiast.

The beaches epitomize perfection - the whitest, cleanest stretches of sand on the South African coastline. Those fortunate enough to stay in St Francis will certainly testify to the extraordinary sunsets and equally invigorating sunrises.

Port St Francis offering anchorage for pleasure craft and ocean going yachts with fine restaurants overlooking the fishing boats. Or perhaps just sit back and watch the dolphins and whales frolicking the water in season. It is this total harmony with nature that makes St Francis extra special.

St Francis Links, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape: The layout of the St Francis Links Course combines every element of shot making with its undulating terrain, greens and surrounds as well as its variation in length and direction.

The bunkers look as though they have been simply plowed out of the land. It is the bunkering that truly defines the quality and character of St Francis Links. Others have designed and built courses with a links look. Here you will easily see what separates St Francis Links from the rest - a consistent look throughout. Almost from the opening shot, St Francis Links carries a look and feel that breathes history from times gone by.

The shape of the greens comes from the natural movement of the land. The greens have simply been placed on top of the sand, changing shape in construction as the wind changed its mind. Some are more undulating than others. All putting surfaces and green surrounds at St Francis Links present a mental and physical test.

Facilities: The club house overlooks the picturesque St Francis Bay village, with its thatch roofs and quaint white homes. It is a fabulous setting for a late afternoon cup of tea or for a thirst quencher after a round of golf. Besides The Links Restaurant, Jack’s Bar and our halfway house, the facility also offers two lounges, the golf shop and locker rooms for players.

Practise Facilities: 280m driving range with twenty hitting bays, bunkers, putting green as well as target areas. Demonstration equipment from our major suppliers will be available. Lessons with our PGA Team, headed by 2-time PGA Club Professional of the year, Jeff Clause, may be booked in advance. Next to the Clubhouse is one of the largest practice putting greens and chipping areas in the country - over 1000 square meters of practice pleasure.

The origins of the St Francis Bay Golf Club date back to 1975 when Leighton Hulett opened a 9 hole private golf course. Since then, many exciting changes have taken place and today our 18 hole coastal golf course compares favourably with the best courses on offer in the Cape.

Since the opening of the full 18 holes, the course has continually been undergoing improvements in collaboration with acknowledged Golf Course Designers. A number of the holes have been lengthened to create more of a challenge to the longer hitters. Two greens, the third and seventeenth, have been rebuilt and repositioned making them somewhat more of a challenge. Some safety aspects also had to be looked at, and a number of screens have been erected to minimize the risk of flying golf balls hitting golfers.

Throughout the time of its existence the Club has been blessed by the unstinting and dedicated efforts of its members in giving of their time and money to bring the Club to where it is today. This would also not have been possible without the dedicated staff who have worked on the course for many a year.

The popularity of the St Francis Bay Golf Course and the "Calamari Classic" (a three-day tournament run in September each year) in particular has been evident when one looks at the list of players frequenting the Club. This list is made up of resident members as well as up-country members and visitors who travel from all over the country and abroad to come and play at St Francis Bay GC.

The course is kept in an excellent condition throughout the year.

Our invitation to you now and in the future...come and enjoy the feel of our links course nestled in between the unique architecture of the village of St Francis Bay. The moderate length of the course will ensure a pleasurable game for the average golfer, yet provide the challenge of "thinking golf" for those wishing to break par 71. Our par 71 course includes five par 3's and is destined to become the best 18 hole holiday course in the Eastern Cape.

St Francis Bay Golf Club is renowned country-wide for its warm hospitality and a great club spirit, which has been the essence of the club over the years, and continues to grow. For all golfers, especially those visiting the Eastern Cape in South Africa, the opportunity to visit St Francis Bay Golf Club for a couple of rounds should not be missed.

Course Details:
Par 71
Championship Distance (yellow): 5882m
Mens Distance (white): 5617m
Seniors Distance (blue): 5210m
Ladies Distance (red): 4941m