Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth)

Set on the sun-warmed shores of Algoa Bay, Gqeberha is a cruise port that stands apart thanks to its maritime heritage, year-round water sports, and doorstep access to South Africa's Eastern Cape wilderness. Unlike many ports, the city threads history into every mile of coastline—from the Donkin Heritage Trail's Victorian elegance to the modern bustle of the harbor where seafront promenades and green-blue bays invite explorers. Shore excursions pulse with signature experiences: a short sail to Addo Elephant National Park's savannas where the big tuskers roam, a lazy day cruising the Sundays River Estuary to glimpse Cape seals and flamingos, and Cape Recife's lighthouses guarding a marine reserve famous for dolphins and waves. The port itself is a gateway to diverse destinations—magnificent coastal towns, rolling malaria-free safaris, and coral-rich dives along the Algoa coast—while offering convenient, ship-friendly berthing, efficient embarkation, and welcoming onboard services that echo South Africa's warmth: wine-and-dine evenings featuring Cape-inspired cuisine, bilingual guest services, and enrichment programs that connect travelers to local culture, wildlife, and history. In short, Gqeberha's blend of natural beauty, heritage immersion, and practical, passenger-first facilities makes it a standout hub for modern cruise adventures in Africa.