How to make the most of 48 hours in Port Elizabeth

Art

With the variety of South African, British and Oriental art housed in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Port Elizabeth, take in some of the rich creativity it showcases. Due to limited space in the museum, the works of art are rotated regularly from the permanent collection. If you only have 48 hours in Port Elizabeth, a walk along Route 67 is a must to take in the 67 artworks. Symbolising Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of selfless work and contribution to South Africa’s freedom, the artworks have been created by local artists.

Beaches

A visit to either Hobie Beach or Humewood Beach should be high on your bucket list of things to do in Port Elizabeth. Hosting several popular events, such as world boardsailing championships, beach volleyball, and the Splash! music festival, Hobie Beach is a great spot for body-surfing, tanning or swimming, while the rock pools are home to a variety of marine life.

As South Africa's oldest Blue Flag beach, Humewood Beach offers snorkelling, fishing, swimming under the watchful eyes of lifeguards, as well as rock pools to explore.

Dining

If you’re not sure what to do in PE when you have 48 hours to spare, then a visit to Kipling’s Brasserie should be at the top of your list! Named after the famed author, Rudyard Kipling, who frequented the Eastern Cape, Kipling’s Brasserie is located at the Boardwalk’s five-star hotel. It has a reputation for being one of the top fine-dining restaurants in Port Elizabeth and has a superlative menu. Enjoy incredible views of Algoa Bay while tempting your taste buds with the chef’s latest creations. Download the menu here.

Diving

Are you an adrenaline junkie with 48 hours in Port Elizabeth to kill? Then don your diving gear to explore the 18m Haerlem wreck, which sank in 1987. Split in two, it's inhabited by a variety of sea creatures including batfish, Cape salmon, pyjama sharks, cat sharks and leopard sharks. Or take a trip out to dive Thunderbolt Reef, named for the HMS Thunderbolt which hit the reef in 1847. Thunderbolt Reef offers furrows and drop-offs, extending to a 30m dive. You'll see a wide range of corals, including sea fans, basket stars, pink noble corals, as well as silvertip nudibranchs, white ascidians that look like mushrooms, and grey, spiky, tube sponges.

Golf

There's nothing like the gentle tap of your iron against a golf ball while the sun warms your back. And having the opportunity to play at one of South Africa's top golf courses should be on your bucket list of things to do in Port Elizabeth. Humewood Golf Club is just 10 minutes from the Boardwalk hotel and offers wide, rolling fairways and fast greens with views of Algoa Bay from the clubhouse – the perfect spot to celebrate at the 19th hole.

Leisure

Wondering what to do in PE when you have 48 hours? The Boardwalk Hotel and Casino offers not only five-star accommodation, but is also a top entertainment destination for the whole family. Choose an afternoon to catch the latest movie at Nu Metro cinemas. Go shopping or sign up for an afternoon of fun with the kids ー there’s go-karting, adventure golf and tenpin bowling. Make sure not to miss the multimedia musical fountain which shoots water 60m high, illuminated by 800 lights.

Nature reserves

The Addo Elephant National Park is a must for your bucket list of things to do in Port Elizabeth! Home to more than 550 elephants, this famous wildlife reserve offers the chance to view a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. The Addo Elephant National Park is well worth a visit if you only have 48 hours in Port Elizabeth as it's also South Africa's third-largest national park.

Kragga Kamma Game Park gives you the chance to see buffalo, cheetah, white rhino, zebra, giraffe and nyala, or you can visit Shamwari Game Reserve's big cat sanctuary after a game drive or learn more at their wildlife rehabilitation centre.

Whale-watching

Have you ever seen a Southern Right or Humpback whale breach? During winter, Port Elizabeth offers whale-watching opportunities as these mammoth mammals make their way up the coastline for breeding season. Take a charter to see them during July and August if you're spending 48 hours in Port Elizabeth.