When you need to get away from the East London big city buzz, the small, quiet Eastern Cape coastal village of Winterstrand is the place to escape to. Located just 22km south of East London, Winterstrand is the ideal Eastern Cape destination for a weekend away, especially for fisherman, who will enjoy fishing off the beach in front of the Eastern Cape Igoda River, known for the abundance of White Steenbass, Bluefish and Cod.
Coral Beach Bed & Breakfast is just 10km from East London Airport, it boasts superb Eastern Cape ocean views from the sundowner pool deck.
From Winterstrand, take the Cove Rock walk along the beach, and head towards the great Eastern Cape Cove Rock bluff. Famed in Xhosa tradition as harbouring a sea dragon, this huge Eastern Cape sandstone rock appears to “float” at the end of a long sandy beach on a hot summer’s day. Rising to 15 metres above sea level, Eastern Cape Cover Rock offers magnificent views of the ocean surrounds, and is an excellent place to observe whales as they cruise up and down the Eastern Cape coast.
The town of Cove Rock lies just 12km North of Winterstrand accommodation, and is a 6 minute drive to East London Airport, 10 minutes to the nearest shopping centre, and 15 minutes to East London central. This Eastern Cape paradise is situated along a kilometre of sun drenched beaches with rock fishing on its doorstep. At the prestigious Cove Rock Country Estate (15.1km from Winterstrand accommodation), is where you’ll find nature at its best. This Eastern Cape estate accommodation offers buck, peacocks and guinea fowl that roam around freely as well as access to one of East Londons beaches and finest fishing spots. This East London beach is sandy white, and has a small swimming cove and plenty of gulley for snorkelling.
For the golfing enthusiast, take a 12 minute drive from Cove Rock Country Estate accommodation to nearby Sunny Ridge, East London, and spend the day at the historic 60 year old Alexander Golf Club, which sports breathtaking views across the Eastern Cape Indian Ocean.
Further North from Winterstrand, and nearer East London, Quigney Beach (20.6km from Winterstrand accommodation), is one of the oldest and most historic suburbs of East London, and is truly an unspoilt but modern Eastern Cape paradise, with an appealing ‘laid back’ atmosphere.
While staying in East London, take time to visit the East London Museum (3.5km from Quigney Beach), home to the only dodo egg in existence, the East London Museum showcases a fascinating array of exhibits that bring to life the natural and cultural history of the East London Area – a ‘rainy day’ opportunity not to be missed!
Then just 10 minutes from Quigney Beach go shopping for crafts, novelty items and antiques in the unique East London Lock Street Jail Shopping Centre. This Eastern Cape shopping centre with a fascinating past sits on the site of South Africa’s first women’s jail. Built in 1880, it has been converted into a shopping centre where some of the cells can still be seen.
East London (21.9km from Winterstrand accommodation), is a holiday destination for the whole family, with some of the best beaches along the Eastern Cape coastline – reportedly some of the finest in the world, where the visitor can enjoy a variety of water sports. The East London Area offers a huge selection of outdoor activities, and a buzzing Eastern Cape night life that comes alive when the sun goes down. A visit to the East London Queens Park Zoo which houses about 50 mammal species, including chimpanzees and white lions is a ‘must’, and for the chocolate lover, the Chocolate Warehouse World of Chocolate situated in East London’s Park Street (20.3km from Winterstrand accommodation), guarantees visitors a “mouth watering” experience! For the history buff, Gately House (19.7km from Winterstrand accommodation) – built in 1876 and proclaimed a National Monument in 1973, is an excellent example of a modest Eastern Cape Victorian home, and is one of the only house museums in South Africa which still contains the original furniture.
For the outdoor adventurer, Ruff Enuff Tours hosts tours from East London to various parts of the Eastern Cape – trips to waterfalls, cultural villages and everything that is wild and beautiful.
Driving in the opposite direction from the East London Area, 19.9km south from Winterstrand accommodation, you will come across East London, Kidds Beach, a beautiful, little coastal village with white, sandy beaches and wonderful waves that provide the perfect backdrop for surfing, snorkelling, sunbathing, boogie boarding and surf fishing.
Other Nearby Points Of Interest
- Fort Glamorgan (12.60km)
- West Bank War Memorial (13.58km)
- East London Zoo (13.67km)
- Queen’s Park Zoo (East London Zoo) (13.67km)
- Gately House (13.87km)
- Old East London Wool Exchange (14.11km)
- East London Coast Nature Reserve (14.12km)
- East London City Hall (14.12km)
- Charles Vix’s Cottage (14.12km)
- The Chocolate Warehouse World of Chocolate (14.13km)
- Amalinda Nature Reserve (14.23km)
- Equestrian Statue (14.35km)
- Anne Bryant Art Gallery (14.98km)
- East London Museum (15.29km)
- Selborne College War Memorial (15.30km)
- East London Aquarium (15.49km)
- East London Beaches (15.73km)
- East London Flea Markets (17.51km)
- East London Wine Fair (20.30km)
- East London Shopping Centres (20.62km)
