Coastal Passage-making, South Africa
Ports of Entry/Departure – see SA Ports on the OSASA website for full details and contacts for these, and for details of marinas and yacht clubs for berthing.
Once you have entered South Africa through an official Port of Entry and completed your clearing-in procedure with Port Health, Customs and Immigration, you do not need to complete health declarations or to visit Immigration or Customs for entry into any further port along the coast while coastal passage-making.
It is, however, important that you complete the departure plan, Passage plan that will notify the next port and marina or yacht club for berthing. This is especially valid over the Nov/Dec period, as the berths fill very quickly. It also provides information in a case of emergency.
Emergencies at sea: NSRI Emergency Operation Centre 24 hours: - +27 87 094 9774, marine channel 16.
https://www.nsri.org.za/rescue/base-finder
Norman +27 83 269 5556, Craig +27 82 380 3800, Dorian +27 81 401 2685
Coastal Passage-making, South Africa, Lesser Ports
The notes below are basic, just as a guideline for some of the lesser ports and harbours along the South African coast. Please use your own initiative to expand your knowledge, and if possible, send us feedback if you discover something of interest!
Of the smaller ports, Knysna, Gordon’s Bay, Simonstown (False Bay YC) and Hout Bay are listed individually here.
Below are some of the lesser ports/harbours along the coast of South Africa – interesting, but largely used for shelter in bad weather or a westerly. Please do call ahead before attempting to stop here.
Jeffreys Bay: Anchor off Super Tubes, close in. Sandy bottom, flat in a westerly. (34° 01.8’S 24°56'E)
St Francis Bay: anchor off the marina if a berth is not available. Sandy flat bottom. Very sheltered. Port St Francis is a privately owned harbour, with fishermen on one side, yachts on the other. 34°11'2.4"S 24°52'13"E (approx.)
Port St Francis YC Richard Fulford info@sfb-skiboatclub.co.za
Plettenberg Bay: Call Mike Jacobs +27 82 566 7851 or OJ Grinaker +27 76 660 9776 for advice. Anchor off the east side of Robberg Beach. Sandy bottom, 6m water. Can be a bit rolly at times.
You can also anchor off Plettenberg Bay main beach (34°03'31"S 23°22'47"E). Sandy bottom, can contact Plett Nsri 082 990 5975 or Plett skiboat club 044 533 4147.
Can anchor off Buffalo Bay, best in calm conditions as it can get rolly (34°05'07"S 22°58'40"E), again sandy bottom.
None of the above is suitable in a South Easter, but fortunately that wind only blows in the day, gets up around 10am, goes down at sunset.
Stil Baai
Sandy bottom, not great but it works in an emergency. (34°22'S 021°25'E) approx
Sebastian Bay/Cape Infanta
Great anchorage, sandy bottom. Anchor close to the headland. NB This needs to be checked to see if cruising yachts can use this Bay. TBA
Struis Baai
Anchor close to where the small fishing boats are, in sandy bottom. Although it is exposed, the bay is generally flat. (34°47'S 020°03.5'E) approx
Port Owen: Call Port Owen on channel 71 www.portowenyc.co.za
If you have not already cleared out of South Africa, Port Owen may be worth a short visit? A safe bay and a wide slow river on which to sail. (32°47' S 18°9' E) approx. Contact info@portowenyc.co.za
See www.osasa.org.za South African Ports for more detailed information.
Remember always – Africa is the place where every day is a surprise!
Thanks to Graham Wentworth for initial content. The remainder put together by Jenny Crickmore-Thompson, Mike Jacobs and OJ Grinaker. Please advise any corrections sailingjenny@osasa.org.za
Updated 26 April 2025
