Surfing, fishing and paddling from a beach house in St Francis Bay
St Francis Bay is part of surfing history, and it also has sheltered canals, a tidal river and deep-sea fishing. Idleside sleeps ten adults and four children, directly opposite Peter Road Beach.
Surfing
Bruce's Beauties, the wave made famous by the 1960s film The Endless Summer, breaks off the point when the swell is right and is for experienced surfers. Huletts is a mellower reef break for beginners and intermediates, and Grannies is the closest break to the house. It is walkable, but most people drive. Seal Point at Cape St Francis is 15 minutes away and Supertubes at Jeffreys Bay about 30. Lessons and board hire are available locally.
The beach across the road is mainly a swimming beach.
Fishing
Fish the tidal Kromme River with light tackle or a fly rod, or book a deep-sea charter out of Port St Francis for yellowtail, kob and geelbek, with tuna further out in season. There are tackle shops in the village. You need a recreational fishing permit, which you can buy online. We ask guests not to fish from the swimming beaches, where it disturbs swimmers.
Paddling, kitesurfing and boats
The canals and the Kromme River are sheltered, flat water, ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing, and the river is navigable for about 14 km upstream. Hire is available locally. The river mouth is a well-known kitesurfing and windsurfing spot in the summer wind, and there is water-skiing on the river.
If you bring your own boat, launch at the canal harbour; you need a permit for the river. For something slower, take a sunset cruise through the canals, looking out for fish eagles and kingfishers.
Swimming, whales and dolphins
The sea in front of the house is safe for swimming, and in season there are lifeguards on Main Beach and George Road Beach. Children need an adult with them.
Dolphins pass the house all year and are often seen from the deck. Southern right and humpback whales come through the bay from about June to November, and licensed whale and dolphin boat trips leave from Port St Francis, a working harbour and home to the chokka (calamari) fleet.
Where you will stay
Five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a fenced pool, a sheltered braai courtyard, a sea-view deck upstairs, secure parking off the road, backup power and fibre Wi-Fi. The village is a ten-minute walk away, and the beach is across the road. More on the house for a large family or group.
How booking works
Choose your dates on the calendar on the home page and send a request. We reply within a day, and nothing is payable until we confirm. A 50% deposit confirms the booking. The balance and a refundable R1 000 breakage deposit are due 30 days before you arrive, and if you cancel more than two weeks before arrival everything you have paid is refunded. The calendar shows the exact price for your dates, and prices include VAT. The person booking must be at least 21. Read the full booking terms.
More about staying and playing in St Francis Bay: Large family holidays · Golf holidays · Everything to do