East London - General Info
Where is East London?
This is a river port/city on the Buffalo River on South Africa’s southeast coast. Its white sandy beaches, good weather and impressive surf make it a popular holiday destination. It is one of six designated ports of entry for foreign cruising yachts.
Entrance Notes and Cautions for East London:
- East Coast: offshore of East London, Nahoon Point is unlit (22 April 2024)
- East Coast: Bird Island Lighthouse is unreliable
The approach is very easy and straightforward even in heavy weather or at night with East London Port Control controlling all shipping and yacht movements in and out of the port.
On approaching the main breakwater yachts must call “Port Control” on VHF Channel 12 for permission to enter the port and to proceed to the Buffalo River Yacht Club Marina.
The operating hours for this service are limited outside daylight hours. However, with prior arrangement entry can be facilitated at any hour.
Don’t pass too close to the breakwater.
Cruiser Highlights for East London:
This is a safe stopover on the coast between Richards Bay and Cape Town. The Buffalo Cruising Club is very welcoming and friendly.
Position:
33° 01’27″S, 27°55’41″E (harbour entrance).
Last updated: September 2023
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From OSASA Newsletter October 2024:
Hugh Robertson, from SV Sea Change, was kind enough to share his experiences in and around the Port of East London with OSASA.
I realise that for most cruisers, East London is either a brief stopping place for recuperation and/or repairs after surviving the Wild Coast trip from Durban or Richards Bay, or might even be skipped if a weather window of NE wind allows. But for those who do stop, I urge you to explore my home town a little. Having grown up there from the age of three in 1958 till I went off to college in 1974, I have regularly returned for visits over the past five decades. I met a cruiser a while ago on his second circumnavigation who said that there was nothing to do there, which is sad!
I strongly encourage renting a car, and would hope that someone at the sailing club would be able to assist with transport to the nearby airport for pickup and drop off (I don’t know the situation with public transport there, but Uber is surely available too). I think the most important visit is to the East London Museum, where you can see the original specimen of the coelacanth, perhaps the most famous “living fossil” and the only living relative of the fish lineage that likely gave rise to tetrapods on land and ultimately to us, known as “old four legs”. The museum also has an excellent therapsid fossil skeleton, the basal lineage of mammals, and an ancient human footprint from sandstone deposits in nearby Nahoon Point. Plus lots more!
Speaking of which, before the museum (and be sure to check their hours), I recommend driving beyond there to Nahoon Beach where you will find a delightful cafe under the scented beach trees for breakfast, keeping a watchful eye on the vervet monkeys that frequent the area. Then a walk along the beach and lagoon plus a swim can be followed by a circuitous drive around the East London golf course (worthy of a round if that is your thing, the European Tour visits each southern summer). On the south side of Nahoon Point, there is a world-class right-hand surf break where national and international competitions are held when the surf is up (go here first in the very early morning if the surf forecast is good to see the locals perform). Here you will also find boardwalks and trails along the cliffs for great views. Don’t miss the little Surf Museum just up the road next to a cafe (for lunch?), which has the most extraordinary surfboard you will ever see on display (you will take a photo to show everyone else!).
That is a good itinerary for a day, but if you are there longer and wish to explore more, here are a few more ideas. On the West Bank further west from the airport you can find a real Formula One race track that actually had Formula One races back in the day. Local racing hero Jody Scheckter was the F1 champion in 1979 with Ferrari. There was a YouTube video about him recently. I am not sure one can still do this, but for many years you could drive the track yourself after it closed.
In the other direction going east there are several nice beaches including Gonubie and Cintsa. Even further you are into the old Transkei and can explore the Wild Coast, starting with Morgan’s Bay for a night. If you have had enough of coastal stuff, there is a region of hills inland called the Hogsback with holiday accommodation that is lovely for walks.
Finally, if kitesurfing is your thing, Nahoon River mouth and East Cintsa beach are great spots in NE wind, but most would rather head along if NE is forecast. Unfortunately there are few spots that work for the strong SW winds, but one is called Cefani, a little camping and chalet resort a little further east off the road to Cintsa. Manageable with a two-wheel-drive car, just park alongside the resort and walk to the beach. You likely will have the waves and wind to yourself. The spots at Kiteforum are an excellent guide to kite spots from here to Cape Town.
We arrived in the middle of the night but port control gave us permission to proceed to the yacht club. We had submitted an online passage plan two days prior. At the yacht club, we picked up a free mooring after consulting with harbourmaster Peter (some hours before our arrival). The moorings are attached to each other, so be very careful not to sail between them. Pick up the line as you navigate the boat alongside, then untie the knot that holds the bow lines and stern lines together. (See the picture)
The club has warm showers, a bbq area, and washing machine. We were advised not to go the (closest) supermarket on the other side of the river, but rather take an uber to the ones in Greenfield (4km, PicknPay and SuperSpar). None of the grocery stores deliver to the Yacht Club (although Spar said it would, but you need a South African ID to use their app). To clear out, submit a passage plan and pay marina fees to Peter (250 per day on mooring, 300 on pontoon). Call port control before leaving the mooring, as you might have to wait a long time.
Propane, cooking gas refill available at Gas Express. The phone number is 0727676945 or 0744798012. Sometimes a marina person will take you up by car to get your gas can fill. They can do US bottles but takes about 1/2 hour as they have to find the correct fitting. They are not used to our safety valves.
Just came to the marina. Phone for Conrad is 0633097913. Marina has only one guest dock which is used for a boat with issues get. They hope to add more docks for two more boats. Great place. Had a great Christmas as Conrad organized a small lunch for the visiting boats.
East London provides excellent shelter from all wind directions.
At the time of our visit in December 2016, the Buffalo River Yacht Club was closed due to lack of liqueur licence; with a new application in the works, they are hoping to re-open shortly. We were still able to use their showers and washing machine.
With the yacht club closed, we frequented the ski boat club on the other side of the river (just past the bridge), where we received a very warm welcome. Wayne from the ski boat club helped us get a diesel.
We did a day trip with Imonti Tours (http://www.imontitours.co.za) to the Mdantsane Township. The tour was excellent, Velile was a knowledgeable guide (he is also the owner), we learned a lot about local history, culture and current socio-economic issues. The tour includes visits to worthwhile community projects in the area. Highly recommended!
Posted on behalf of SY Starblazer:
A really friendly stop between Richards Bay or Durban on the way to Cape Town.
The Buffalo River Yacht Club has a pontoon (R150) with a few places for visitors. Also plenty of space next to the club before the bridge for anchoring (R0). A fantastically friendly and helpful club whose members arranged two vehicles to take jerry cans and 6 skippers to a truck fuel station for diesel (cheaper than car garage. R11.3 Nov. 2015).
Good bar, OK club toilets and showers. Pontoon water and power.
The local museum is excellent.
Well worth a stop and a better leg south from Richards Bay than Durban which it is a bit short.
Very well protected up to the river from all directions.
Port Control on VHF12 for entry and departure.
Easy going formalities for registering SA ‘Flight Plan’.