The stunning Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa is well worth a visit for its unspoilt beaches, sharp cliff faces, secluded bays and rolling green hills.
It is also the location of one of South Africa’s natural wonders – the Hole in the Wall at Coffee Bay.
The Hole in the Wall is at the mouth of the Mpako River. It is a natural arch pierced through a tidal island by millions of years of the sea eating away at the sandstone and mudstone the island is made of. The hole is big enough for a sailboat to pass under.
The local Xhosa people call it eSikhaleni or “Place of Noise”.
According to legend, a beautiful young woman from a village on the shore of a lagoon separated from the sea by a cliff fell in love with one of the sea-people. After her father forbade the relationship, the young man came with his people one night and rammed a hole through the cliff with the head of huge fish.
When the sea-people entered the village singing and dancing, all the villagers hid except for the fair maiden who was never heard of again.
At times, the waves slap the rocks with a loud crack, which the local residents believe are the sounds of the sea-people ramming the fish into the cliff. During storms, the hole roars, and this is believed to be the sounds of the sea-people singing and shouting.
Where to stay in Coffee Bay
Although less known to the tourist trade, Hole in the Wall is popular among surfers.
There are a couple of expensive resorts and many backpacker lodges here to suit any budget. Those looking for Airbnb options are encouraged to do some research before booking as some can be a little bit dodgy.
Sugarloaf Backpackers was comfortable, with a guarded car park and a protected compound.
How to reach Hole in the Wall in Coffee Bay
The road is decent, except for a patch near the Hole in the Wall that can be muddy during the monsoon season. Google Maps and GPS work well so just follow the directions. It is a four- to five-hour drive from East London airport.
The highway was picturesque with small, traditional South African huts dotting the landscape.
From Sugarloaf Backpackers, Hole in the Wall is about a 15-minute drive and once you reach the car park you may find some children offering to guide you, for a fee, but there is no real need to hire a guide.
Where to eat
There are few cafés and restaurants here, but it is advisable to stick to the hotel or backpacker lodges for dinner. The place is remote and isolated, so sticking to the hotel for food is the best bet.
The Wild Coast is famous for its sunrises, so those who are interested in photography should go to the Hole in the Wall before sunrise to capture it.
Amit and Anindita are Indian Travel bloggers who blog at Travel Like We Do. They talk about affordable travel in India and abroad. They are still travelling and capturing their moments.