About Kenton on Sea

The village of Kenton on Sea lies almost mid way between the South African east coast cities of Port Elizabeth and East London and nestled between the Kariega and Bushmans tidal rivers. These rivers are navigable for 16 and 30 kilometers respectively. They meander through the beautiful Valley Bushveld verging on numerous game parks on their way. This provides opportunities for:

Swimming, boating, cruising, sailing and canoing.
Fishing and crabbing.
Game Viewing.
Good birding, especially in the early mornings during the summer months.
And for the more adventurous of course there is waterskiing, wakeboarding, kite surfing and windsurfing.

Between the two river mouths some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches and sand dunes are to be found.

The Kariega lagoon is safe and ideal for toddlers and small children.
The main Kenton beach which extends from Kariega river mouth to Middle beach is for serious swimmers, surfers, boogey boarders and body surfers. The Kariega beach is a Blue Flag beach and is watched over by professional lifeguards.
The dunes between Main and Middle beach are sand skier's paradise.
Middle beach, Blue Pool and Mermaid’s Pool are for the wallowers and less energetic.
Carriage Rock and Shelly Bay beaches are for those seeking solitude and seclusion in the sun.
The many interesting gullies and reefs between the two rivers mouths will gladden any snorkeller's heart.

The fishermen are spoilt for choice having the following options:

Deep sea ski boat angling and whale and dolphin watching with the choice of launching at Middle beach or the Kariega river mouth.
Scuba diving and spearfishing.
Rock, surf and gully fishing between the two river mouths.
River angling and crabbing in the two tidal rivers.

For the unfit, overweight and slothful there is:

St Francis Health Centre near Keinemonde. Be warned however, develop a taste for carrot juice and lettuce leaves before venturing forth!

The conservationists will be overwhelmed by the surfeit of wonderful malaria free game reserves/parks where big five game viewing and wonderful birding can be undertaken and all this within an hour's drive of Kenton:

The private reserves include: Kariega, Sibuya, Amakala, Pumba, Kwandwe and Shamwari.
SAN Parks' Addo Elephant (the only park with the big seven!) is a beautiful park and very affordable for those who do not want to lose an arm and a leg!

The fit and sporty are also well catered for:

Kenton has squash, tennis and bowls facilities and active clubs in these sports. The Kenton Gym is situated at the Threeways Centre.
Golfers can tee off at the Royal Port Alfred or the Gary Player designed Fish River Sun courses.
Hikers can step it out on the Alexandria Forest, Belton and Assegaai hiking trails. Assegaai also caters for mountain bikers.
Lovely beach walks to Kasouga or Diaz Cross at low tide can also be undertaken.
For the horsey there is Beachcombers horse trails.

For the arty, Kenton and surrounds are blessed with numerous galleries and talented artists some of whom are:

Jenny Harvey Art Studio.
Tessa Lovemore Art Studio.
Fog Arty Art Studio.
Graeme Arnott of bird illustrations fame.
Quin Sculpture Garden in Alexandria.
Bathurst Art Gallery
Bob MacKenzie Art Studio in Port Alfred.

For the historians, you have come to the right place as Kenton and surrounds are rich in the history of the Frontier Wars and 1820 Settlers. Visits to historical sites/villages/towns/forts and institutions can be recommended:

Diaz Cross.
The villages of Salem, Southwell and Bathurst.
Grahamstown where the Observatory, Natural History and Historical Museums and 1820 Settlers Monument are well worth a visit.

Kenton also has very active Round Table and Rotary Service Clubs if visiting Tablers and Rotarians would like to attend meetings.