Kei Mouth: Sandy Beaches and Historic Ferry

Several sandy beaches, easy coastal walking trails and a popular surf spot give Kei Mouth a distinctly coastal character. At the same time, the historic Kei River Pont Ferry is a prominent feature on the Great Kei. Fishing, horse rides and birdwatching add a range of ways to spend time outdoors. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering whether you’re mainly looking for time on the coast, outdoor activities or the history of the ferry.

The Kei River Pont Ferry and the Great Kei

The Great Kei Municipality describes the historic Kei River Pont Ferry as South Africa’s last remaining car ferry of its kind. This makes it a distinctive part of the area’s history and gives Kei Mouth a special connection to the Great Kei. If you’re interested in the history and everyday workings of a river crossing, you’ll find a different focus here than on a stay shaped entirely by beaches and coastal activities.

The Great Kei Municipality also describes a daily ferry service that carries vehicles, passengers and livestock across the Great Kei. If you’re planning to cross, check the schedule in advance. This lets you consider the pont as a destination in its own right, rather than seeing it only as a name on the map.

Coast, outdoor activities and nature watching

The several sandy beaches and easy coastal walking trails offer two different ways to make the coast the focus of your day. A popular surf spot adds another waterside activity to the mix. Kei Mouth offers good fishing opportunities, while birdwatching spots provide a different focus. You can shape your holiday days around what you feel like doing: getting out and about, spending time by the water or watching birds.

Horse rides are also available in Kei Mouth; a tourism overview lists two providers. The town also has a slipway for ski boats. Together with the surf spot and fishing opportunities, these options show how varied the water-based and leisure interests you may want to consider when planning can be. The slipway and the pont are distinct local features: one is for ski boats, the other is a historic car ferry across the Great Kei.

Which holiday apartment suits your plans?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Kei Mouth, your plans for your days away can make the difference. Would you mainly like to switch between sandy beaches and coastal walks, or are you also interested in horse rides, birdwatching and the history of the pont? This question can help you decide what kind of stay you’re looking for, without letting any single activity dictate the entire holiday.

If you have several interests, you can see the coastal attractions and ferry history as different sides of the same destination. That way, you can get to know Kei Mouth through more than one activity: the beaches, walking trails and nature watching offer a different focus from the historic crossing. When looking for accommodation, consider which of these themes matter most for your trip; the right choice starts with the kind of holiday you want to have here.

Discover more destinations: Hogsback, Komga, Adelaide, Morgan Bay, Kwelera, East London, Kiddʼs Beach, Stutterheim.

View the broader travel guide: Amathole.