Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is a beach city on the Indian Ocean coast, where you can spend a relaxed day on the sand and still reach Addo Elephant National Park for a safari.

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Port Elizabeth, renamed Gqeberha in 2021, is a port city on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. Both names are still in use, and booking sites list the city under either one. Visitors come for the long sandy beachfront, the historic area on the hill above the harbor, and the working port that gives the bay its shipping traffic.

The city works well as a base for beach days and wildlife trips. Addo Elephant National Park is about an hour's drive north, close enough for a day trip to see elephants, lions and rhinos in one park. Plan two or three days in the city, plus one day for Addo if you want a safari. Late spring and early autumn bring mild weather and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. The wind can be strong at any time of year.

Port Elizabeth in five

Book Addo entry through SANParks aheadAddo Elephant National Park is about an hour's drive north of the city. Book entry through SANParks before you go, because the park can be full in peak season.Tours and tickets
Set up an eSIM or South African SIM before you landCheck that your phone supports eSIM, then buy data from Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Telkom. Signal can drop in some parks and on quiet coastal roads, so download maps before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
Carry small rand coins for car guardsInformal car guards watch parked cars on many streets and expect a small tip when you leave. Keep small notes and coins in your pocket for this, separate from restaurant bills.
Use a ride app after darkBook a ride-hailing app at night rather than hailing a car on the street. Check that the app works in Gqeberha before you rely on it, because coverage varies by area.Getting around
Base yourself in Summerstrand or HumewoodThese two suburbs on the bay have beachfront hotels and restaurants, so you can walk to dinner without a car.Where to stay

Things to do in Port Elizabeth

See all attractions in Port Elizabeth

Sight · Port ElizabethSANCCOB Gqeberha

Museum · Port ElizabethBayworld

Museum · Port ElizabethSouth End Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Port ElizabethPut the places you like in Port Elizabeth on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; check Home Affairs rules before flying Read more
Emergency: 10111 police, 10177 ambulance, 112 from a mobile phone
Tipping: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants if no service charge; small tips for car guards
Time: UTC+2, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Holiday peak, windy
FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Warm, fewer crowds
MarchPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm, mild
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Mild, calmer
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Cool, quieter
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Cool, whales start
JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Cool, whale season
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Cool, whale season
SeptemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Spring, windy
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Spring, mild
NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, mild
DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Holiday peak, busy

Average daily high and low in Port Elizabeth, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Port Elizabeth

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 18°
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Port Elizabeth

10:39 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today21°16°100%Monday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue22°16°27%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 27%.
Wed23°18°20%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 20%.
Thu25°19°27%Thursday: Fog. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 27%.
Fri22°17°24%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 24%.
Sat19°13°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun20°12°70%Sunday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 70%.

Updated 07:21 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 16.69 ZAR

Amount

Converted to

ZAR · South African Rand

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Addo Elephant National Parkabout 1 hour by carElephants, lions and many other animals in a large park. Book entry in advance.
Jeffreys Bayabout 1 hour by carThe best-known surf beach on this stretch of coast, with cafés and beach walks.
Storms River, Tsitsikammaabout 2 hours by carCoastal forest, suspension bridges and the gorge trails of the national park.

Before you go to Port Elizabeth

Stays on the bay or in the centreBeachfront, central and suburban basesRead the guide

Tours and tickets for AddoPark entry and day trips without a carRead the guide

eSIM for Port ElizabethMaps offline for parks and coast roadsRead the guide

Insurance for Port ElizabethCover for park trips and lost bagsRead the guide

Rules for Port Elizabeth, checked

Check your passport and entry requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website before you fly to South Africa.Source
South Africa enforces strict drink-driving laws, so do not drive after any alcohol. Check the road safety rules on the Arrive Alive site.Source
Addo Elephant National Park entry and park rules are set by SANParks. Check current tickets and conditions on its official site before you travel.Source

Plan around Port Elizabeth

Getting around the city

Buses, ride apps, car hire and the drive to Addo

Read the guide Money and costs

Rand cash, card use and typical daily spending

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa-free stays and what to check before you fly

Read the guide Where to stay

Beachfront, central and suburban bases compared

Read the guide Sport and events

Matches and events to check before you book

Read the guide All of South Africa

Regions, national parks and entry rules

Read the guide

Port Elizabeth FAQ

Is Port Elizabeth still called Port Elizabeth?

The city's official name is Gqeberha, but many hotels, maps and search results still say Port Elizabeth. Use both names when you search or book.

Is Port Elizabeth worth visiting?

Yes for a few days of bay walks, beaches and as a base for Addo Elephant National Park. It is a weaker choice if you want a big museum scene or lively nightlife.

Is Port Elizabeth safe for tourists?

Use the same city sense as in any South African city: book ride apps after dark, keep valuables out of sight, and ask your host which streets to avoid.

Can you visit Addo Elephant National Park from Port Elizabeth?

Yes, as a day trip by car, about an hour each way. Book entry in advance through SANParks in peak season and leave early in the day.

When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth?

March, April, October and November offer mild weather and fewer crowds. December and January bring holiday crowds, and the wind can be strong in summer.

Is Port Elizabeth good for surfing?

The best-known surf is further along the coast at Jeffreys Bay.