MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth’s Secret Beaches

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We are actually very spoilt in Port Elizabeth in being able to drive for less than half an hour and be able to enjoy a secluded beach with warm water and no people. Truly we live in a secret paradise.

Before you go off all half cocked and say that it is not safe anymore blah, blah, blah let me hasten to add that most times we go exploring with our hairy children in tow – the Chinese racing pig (our Bull Terrier, Jenna) and the hairy monster (our German Shepard, Tessa). Unlike other people’s hairy children ours listen, return to the lead, leave and sit on command and from far.

But, I digress – this morning I saw a Tweet directed at @MyPE by young Davy Jacobs – he of the magnificent cricketing fame for the Chevrolet Warriors:

And it got me thinking to seeing if YOU knew of a secret beach that YOU were willing to share with us – let us know in the comments section below.

In the meantime see the beach that we have recently re-discovered below. It is best to go at low tide – Port Elizabeth Tide List for 2012 – as you will then be able to walk out to the wreck of the MV Patti. If you see a couple of nude people on the walk along the beach just act cool, okay!

The MV Patti Cargo Vessel struck a shallow reef in dense fog during 1976. The vessel lies in shallow water at a depth of around 10 meters and can be dived when conditions are suitable.

The engine block of this Cypriot ship lies here after it struck the reef in 1976 on its way to the Persian Gulf from the Ivory Coast. Yellowtail and various other smaller fish can be found here.

The MV Patti sank on the “wild Side’ of Thunderbolt Reef west of Cape Recife.

Thunderbolt Reef was named after the HMS Thunderbolt which was wrecked there in 1847. The HMS Thunderbolt was a wooden paddle sloop that found its watery grave off Cape Recife and many a vessel such as the Kapodistrias and the Patty have endured the same fate there.

It is said there is a gap in the reef that shortens the trip around the reef considerably, especially when the swells are on.

The boats would negotiate this gap as a way of hugging the coastline and taking advantage of calmer waters. Many captains got that wrong and are part of a number of wrecks that litter that stretch of coast.

Park at the Parking area close to Noordhoek (see image below)  and walk along the coast toward the Cape Receife Nature Reserve – the wreck of the MV Patti is just past the Cape Receife Shooting Range and, at low tide, a wonderful warm pool lies just inshore of the wreck.

There is a gravel road – 4×4 needed – that will take you to directly above the beach and right next to the Cape Receife Shooting Range – the area is pretty secluded and the worry factor pretty high so we recommend that you go in a group and don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.

You could also park at the Cape Receife Lighthouse (see the entrance to Cape Receife below) and walk around from there (No dogs allowed). On your way out visit SAMREC and chat to the penguins.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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Comments

  1. Lovely walk, back to town, after your car gets liberated by the Nigerians Are Not Crooks brigade 🙂

  2. that nudest beach you were mentioning, cant get mugged there, not much to take from a nude stroller.