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South Africa🇿🇦 | beachesCoffee BayLong left-hand waves, Hole in the Wall hike, hostel fires, river-mouth walks | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Coffee Bay
👌 Worth visitingbeach ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Coffee Bay beach is a small, tidal surf beach, and the coffee-bean shipwreck story that gives the village its name is a legend, not a reason to expect a café scene. The beach sits on the Wild Coast in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, southeast of Mthatha. The sand is clean, the long left-hand waves suit beginners on a soft board, and the hostels are cheap and sociable. Swimming is patchy, because rip currents run near the rocks and the water is cold, so skip it for a relaxed dip. The village itself is a few dusty lanes, nothing more. I walked the beach at low tide to the river mouth, which is easy for anyone, and found cattle grazing beside the lagoon while waves broke on the sandbar behind them.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 beach in South AfricaThe unique appeal for travelers

Coffee Bay beach works as a stop because the backpacker hostels sit within a few minutes’ walk of the sand, so the whole social scene happens barefoot. Surf lessons and board rentals are easy to arrange from the hostels, and the gentle, long waves make it one of the friendlier places on this coast to stand up for the first time. Evenings revolve around shared dinners and fires, so you meet people without trying.

The other pull is the walking. Coffee Bay beach is the start of the trail to Hole in the Wall, a rock arch in the sea, and a string of Xhosa villages and coastal viewpoints lie along the way. Many travelers use it as a pause on the Wild Coast route between Durban and the Garden Route, trading a night or two for hiking, surf and unhurried meals. The Wild Coast has few good beach bases, … read more 👉
Coffee Bay beach works as a stop because the backpacker hostels sit within a few minutes’ walk of the sand, so the whole social scene happens barefoot. Surf lessons and board rentals are easy to arrange from the hostels, and the gentle, long waves make it one of the friendlier places on this coast to stand up for the first time. Evenings revolve around shared dinners and fires, so you meet people without trying.

The other pull is the walking. Coffee Bay beach is the start of the trail to Hole in the Wall, a rock arch in the sea, and a string of Xhosa villages and coastal viewpoints lie along the way. Many travelers use it as a pause on the Wild Coast route between Durban and the Garden Route, trading a night or two for hiking, surf and unhurried meals. The Wild Coast has few good beach bases, and the hostel-and-village setup here is the easiest to settle into.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Hole in the Wall walk: The coast trail from Coffee Bay beach leads to a huge sea arch carved in a rock island, known to the Xhosa as esiKhaleni, the place of the sound. It is a full day on foot along cliffs and beaches, and the booming waves through the arch are the sight everyone comes for.
  2. Surfing the main break: Long, forgiving waves roll across the bay, with lessons and board rentals offered by the local hostels. Beginners stay in the whitewater, while experienced surfers head to the point when the swell lines up.
  3. Low-tide walk to the river mouth: At low tide the sand stretches out toward the lagoon where the river meets the sea. You pass fishing spots, cattle on the dunes and good shell hunting.
  4. Village and township walk: Guided walks pass traditional round huts and a local home or shebeen,
… read more 👉
  1. Hole in the Wall walk: The coast trail from Coffee Bay beach leads to a huge sea arch carved in a rock island, known to the Xhosa as esiKhaleni, the place of the sound. It is a full day on foot along cliffs and beaches, and the booming waves through the arch are the sight everyone comes for.
  2. Surfing the main break: Long, forgiving waves roll across the bay, with lessons and board rentals offered by the local hostels. Beginners stay in the whitewater, while experienced surfers head to the point when the swell lines up.
  3. Low-tide walk to the river mouth: At low tide the sand stretches out toward the lagoon where the river meets the sea. You pass fishing spots, cattle on the dunes and good shell hunting.
  4. Village and township walk: Guided walks pass traditional round huts and a local home or shebeen, giving context to the community living behind the beach. It is more illuminating than another hour on the sand.
  5. Evening fire and stargazing: With no big town lights nearby, the sky above the bay fills with stars. Hostels host fires and communal dinners, so the night is quiet, social and easy on the budget.
For a first visit, the Hole in the Wall walk gives you the coast, the villages and the beach in one day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Summer (December to February): Coffee Bay beach is hot and humid, with highs of 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F), afternoon thunderstorms and the longest days. South African school holidays from mid-December to mid-January fill the hostels and push dorm prices up.
  • Autumn (March to May): Highs of 23 to 26°C (73 to 79°F), clearer skies, warm water and thinner crowds make this the easiest stretch for hiking and swimming.
  • Winter (June to August): Days are dry and sunny at 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), but nights drop to about 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F) and the sea is cold. Beds are cheap and the beach is quiet, though daylight ends early.
  • Spring (September to November): Highs of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), with whales offshore until about November and prices still low outside the holidays.
Book ahead for the last two … read more 👉
  • Summer (December to February): Coffee Bay beach is hot and humid, with highs of 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F), afternoon thunderstorms and the longest days. South African school holidays from mid-December to mid-January fill the hostels and push dorm prices up.
  • Autumn (March to May): Highs of 23 to 26°C (73 to 79°F), clearer skies, warm water and thinner crowds make this the easiest stretch for hiking and swimming.
  • Winter (June to August): Days are dry and sunny at 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), but nights drop to about 7 to 10°C (45 to 50°F) and the sea is cold. Beds are cheap and the beach is quiet, though daylight ends early.
  • Spring (September to November): Highs of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F), with whales offshore until about November and prices still low outside the holidays.
Book ahead for the last two weeks of December, and turn up on a weekday outside school holidays for the best rates.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The village of Coffee Bay itself is where you want to be, because every budget bed sits within a short walk of the sand and the Wild Coast Hiking Trail starts here. The strip around the main road down to the beach holds most of the backpacker lodges. Expect dorms for about US$10 to 16 and basic private rooms for US$30 to 50. Evenings revolve around shared dinners, bonfires and a bar near the beach, so solo travelers get talking quickly without trying.

Sleeping on the slopes above the bay costs a little less and gives sea views over the river mouth, but you trade it for a steeper walk back after … read more 👉
The village of Coffee Bay itself is where you want to be, because every budget bed sits within a short walk of the sand and the Wild Coast Hiking Trail starts here. The strip around the main road down to the beach holds most of the backpacker lodges. Expect dorms for about US$10 to 16 and basic private rooms for US$30 to 50. Evenings revolve around shared dinners, bonfires and a bar near the beach, so solo travelers get talking quickly without trying.

Sleeping on the slopes above the bay costs a little less and gives sea views over the river mouth, but you trade it for a steeper walk back after dark. Stay toward the beach end and you can walk home in a group.

A few quieter lodges sit along the road toward Hole in the Wall, a short drive away. They suit people who want early nights and birdsong, though you will depend on lodge shuttles for food and company. Most lodges run their own hikes, horse rides and surf lessons, so you can skip planning. Pay for your first night in advance in peak season, when beds vanish.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Coffee Bay beach is generally safe and relaxed, but the sea needs respect. Waves roll in from the open Indian Ocean, and rips form near the river mouth and along the rocky edges, so swim where lodge staff and locals tell you, ideally on the main beach between the breaks. Tides shift the sandbanks, and the water is noticeably cooler in winter. Sharks are present along this coast, so skip swimming at dusk or after heavy rain, when the river runs murky.

The sun is strong all year, even on cooler days, so carry sunscreen and a hat. Afternoon storms roll in during summer. Cattle and horses wander over the sand and pose no threat.

Petty theft happens occasionally, so leave valuables in your lodge and do not walk the beach or village roads alone after dark. Go in a group with a torch, or use the lodge shuttle for longer trips.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Coffee Bay beach lies about 250 km south of East London and roughly 80 km from Mthatha, which is the main gateway. From Mthatha the paved R61 and a tarred road take about 1.5 hours by car. Without a car, the Baz Bus hostel service links the village with Durban and Cape Town on request, and lodges arrange Mthatha pickups for roughly US$20 to 35. Minibus taxis also run from Mthatha to Coffee Bay for under US$8, though they leave when full.
Coffee Bay beach is best known for surfing, with a consistent beach break suited to beginners and intermediates and lessons from about US$25 to 35 including a board. Swimming is fine in the calm sections, but rips near the river mouth mean you should ask lodge staff where to enter, and the water is cold from June to August. Snorkeling is poor on the main beach, though rocky pools and nearby coves such as Hole in the Wall have some marine life on calm days.
Coffee Bay beach is free to visit, and there are no gates or entry fees on the sand. Parking by the beach is informal and usually costs nothing, though a local may offer to watch your car for a small tip of US$1 to 2. Costs come from extras such as surf board rental at US$8 to 12, guided hikes at US$15 to 30, and a Hole in the Wall tour if you want transport.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African beaches near Coffee Bay

Explore more nearby:

  • Umhlanga Rocks—lighthouse, tidal pools, luxury hotels, coastal boardwalk| 312 km away
  • Plett Beach—wide sandy bay, dolphin sightings, Robberg Peninsula, holiday town| 586 km away
  • Muizenberg—colorful beach huts, gentle surf, surf schools, long sandy stretch| 1022 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Coffee Bay beach suits sociable surf beginners and hikers who like a slow pace, and it will bore anyone wanting nightlife or a swimming resort. Bring sturdy walking shoes and sunscreen, and book at least three nights, because the walks and the easy social rhythm only click after the first day.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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