St.Francis Bay in South Africa
St Francis Bay (known in Afrikaans as: St Francisbaai) is a holiday town in Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, roughly one hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth.
Which province is St Francis Bay?
St Francis Bay (St Francisbaai) is located in the Eastern Cape.
District: Sarah Baartman.
Municipality: Kouga.
Is St Francis in Port Elizabeth?
Yes, it is. The ideal base from which to explore all that the Eastern Cape has to offer. Situated 108 kms west of Port Elizabeth in the quaint village of Cape St Francis lies the Cape St Francis Resort and the luxurious beach villas Beach Break.
Is St Francis in the Western Cape?
No, it is not. Francis (Afrikaans: Kaap St Francis) is a village in South Africa, situated on a headland in the Eastern Cape Province. It is popular for its clean beaches and as a surfing location. The village is home to the Seal Point Lighthouse.
Which ocean is St Francis Bay?
St Francis Bay Golf Club is situated in the village of St Francis Bay on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.
What is the history of St Francis Bay in South Africa?
St Francis is divided into ‘The Cape’, ‘The Bay’ and ‘The Port’. The name ‘St Francis’ was chosen in honour of the Patron Saint of Sailors (St Francis), by a Portuguese sailor who sighted this coastal stretch in 1575. Many years later, in 1954, Leighton Hulett bought a piece of land in the fishing village that was St Francis at this stage. He had a vision to add a Marina and started a man-made canal system. Strict building codes were laid down, which are still relevant till today. This developed into the village ‘St Francis Bay’ or ‘The Bay’.
In 1995, a commercial harbour and facilities were built at Port St Francis. This harbour serves as an important operations point for Chokka (calamari) and long line fishing industries. Also, further along the coastline is a nature reserve, which leads to Cape St Francis (The Cape). Here a lighthouse exists that was built in 1878 in order to warn ships and vessels of the treacherous reef around the point. The lighthouse is 27.5m high and is the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast. Today it is a National Monument.
