Swim, surf or scuba dive at this popular and family-friendly Port Elizabeth beach, known for its diverse marine life, scenic parks and entertaining festivals.
Hobie Beach welcomes visitors to its shores for swimming, sunbathing and coastal adventures. It is an exciting destination for watching watersports competitions, spotting majestic whales and enjoying live music and cultural events. Hobie Beach is one of several beaches set on Algoa Bay and is within easy reach of Port Elizabeth’s city centre.
This scenic stretch of sandy beach has calm and enticingly warm waters. Relax in the glorious sun of South Africa’s Sunshine Coast and take a refreshing swim in the Indian Ocean. Lifeguards patrol the beach, making it a safe environment for children, too. Find changing rooms, snack bars and cafés at various points along the beach.
Watch local fisherman cast lines off Shark Rock Pier and walk to the end of the pier to enjoy uninterrupted coastal views. Tidal pools form beneath the pier at low tide, presenting the chance to look for starfish and octopus, among other sea life. Take in stunning views of the shoreline by windsurfing, kitesurfing or Jet Skiing along the coast. Join a scuba-diving trip and explore intriguing offshore shipwrecks.
Hobie Beach has plenty to offer year-round. Visit in April for the Splash Festival, which hosts sandcastle competitions, volleyball tournaments and a world boardsailing championship. Also during this time, you can watch free concerts or shop at food and handicraft markets. Come between June and December to see whales migrating past the beach.
Take a stroll along palm-lined Marine Drive to find a dive centre, casino, amusement arcades, bars and restaurants. Another pleasant walk follows the esplanade and winds through a park at the back of the beach.
Situated in the suburb of Summerstrand, Hobie Beach is just a 10-minute drive from Port Elizabeth’s city centre. Public buses travel at regular intervals between the beach and city centre. Otherwise, take a taxi or drive a rental car. There’s a free parking area at Shark Rock Pier and additional parking bays at the south end of the beach.
