Overview
The seaside village of Morgan's Bay is located on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast of South Africa and is about 85 km east of East London. Morgan's Bay lies between the famous Morgan's Bay cliffs and a mile-long stretch of unspoilt beach, bordered by the Cape Morgan Nature Reserve.
In the early part of the century, Morgan's Bay was a popular holiday destination for farmers from throughout South Africa's Eastern Cape region. Every year, after the harvest, they packed their families and possessions into wagons for a camping holiday by the sea. These days Morgan's Bay is still a popular camping destination, with families from up country making the yearly trek down to the sea to enjoy the delights of the Wild Coast.
Get in
Situated 10 minutes away from the Kei River and the adventures of the Wild Coast, and 45 minutes from the modern amenities of East London.
Directions from East London: Drive North-East along the N2 highway from East London, take the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for 35.5 km. Turn right at Morgan Bay turnoff and follow the road for 7 km until you reach Morgan Bay.
Directions from Durban: Drive South from Durban along the N2 highway, 31 km past the Kei River Bridge turn left at the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for 35.5 km. Turn right at Morgan Bay turnoff and follow the road for 7 km until you reach Morgan Bay
Get around
There are no buses or taxis in Morgan's Bay.
See
If you're a keen hiker it's worth a ramble over the Morgan's Bay Cliffs. These impressive slabs of dolerite, which drop some 50 m into the pounding surf, are ideal vantage points for watching the sunset. If you're lucky, you may even see the dolphins frolicking in the waves, which crash against the rocks below.
Do
Morgan's Bay is an ideal destination for adventurous family holidays with an excellent swimming beach, patrolled by lifeguards during the festive season, and lagoon in pristine natural surroundings. It's the perfect place to get in some well earned relaxation and breathe in the fresh sea air. During the day you can gaze at passing ships on the horizon or lie on the beach with a book. At night you can lie relaxed in comfortable accommodation while being hypnotised by the dull roar of the sea, glorious stars and the intermittent beam of the Cape Morgan Lighthouse across the bay.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails. Mkulu Kei Horse Trails Cher-a-Don was established in 1998 and provides guided horse trekking vacations along the Wild Coast of South Africa. Riding tours are available from ~2-hour beach rides, full day rides, as well as 2- to 12-day over-night multi-day riding trails. Multi-day tours are flexible.
Wild Coast Horse Trails. Offers a full holiday experience while giving you the chance to sample the undeveloped beauty of the South African Wild Coast. The beach riding along the Transkei is exhilarating and exciting. Torstone Sport Horses are competitive endurance horses and high quality pleasure riding horses.
Buy
Xhosa Crafts. Xhosa women sell beads and other crafts under the trees near the lagoon.
Craft Markets. Local Farmers & Craft Markets are held once a month and regularly during holiday periods. They are advertised on the notice board at the Top Shop.
The Sandhoppa. Forgotten your slip slops, sun hat or sun block in the rush to get here? The Sandhoppa offers popular brands including Roxy, Haviannas, Quicksilver and Billabong.
Eat
The Deck. Enjoy a choice of breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner menu options. Meals can be enjoyed as a take-away or eat in. Relax and enjoy the 180-degree view of the Indian Ocean while you eat.
The Krans Kombuis restaurant and bar. Situated on the seafront to provide dining guests with uninterrupted views of the waves and krantzes. Dining at the Mitford Lodge includes sumptuous meals that range from table de hote to an à la carte menu with meals that include seafood platters, deliciously prepared ribs, steak and Italian cuisine.
The Mudhutters. Open school holidays, long weekends and other times by arrangement for homebakes, homemade jams, pickles, pestos, chilli sauces, etc., Tea, cake and light meals served in our indigenous riverine forest garden. Guided walks with Picnic Lunch.
The Shed. Come and braai, they supply every Friday evening. Had a hectic week? Relax on their deck with an ice cold beer. They can even braai for you. Braai packs, salads and extra goodies supplied. 5 km from Morgan's Bay
Sleep
Cane Castle. Cane Castle is a double story beach house comprising 2 self-contained units and is located within a 1 minute walk of the beach. Sleeps 6 & 12.
DoubleView. Newly built, spacious modern home with two large, luxurious bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom. One bedroom has a view of the lagoon and sea, the other the indigenous forest.
The Lower Deck. Situated in a quiet cul de sac, approximately 200 m from the waters edge, The Lower Deck sits a top a hill and is blessed with beautiful sea views.
The Morgan Bay Bed & Breakfast. A charming old colonial home, situated in a beautiful garden, with the beach and safe swimming lagoon at the bottom of the garden path.
Patty's Place. Patty's Place comprises three self-catering units and is located in a quiet cul-de-sac close to the shop and a short walk from the beach.
Tanglewood House. Tanglewood House sleeps up to 6 people and is a thatch house set in a lush green belt, a 2 min drive or 10 min walk from the Morgan Bay beach.
Yellowwood Forest. Family friendly caravan park and campsite situated in the woodlands just above the Morgan's Bay Lagoon. There is plenty of shade and it is sheltered from the wind.
180 Degrees. 180 Degrees is a large double story wooden house, located high above the beachfront and boasting a spectacular 180-degree sea view, the best in Morgan Bay.
The Corner House. Situated high on the hill with a panoramic view of the lagoon. The Corner House sleeps 7 in 3 bedrooms and has a large open-plan kitchen and lounge that leads out onto the large wooden deck. Minimum 3-night stay out of season and 2-week stay in season.
Flame Lily House. Offers affordable self-catering holiday accommodation with sea views for 2 - 8 people. Situated above the coastal milkwood trees on the central beachfront of Morgan's Bay, it is 25 m from the bathing beach with the lagoon, dunes, fishing spots, hotel facilities and magnificent cliffs in easy walking distance.
Georgett. Georgett offers self-catering accommodation, from an ideal location up on the hill, with un-obstructed views of the beach and ocean. Sleeps 10 & 8.
Lagoon Islands. Spacious self catering accommodation for 4 people in a large house with upper & lower decks, covered outdoor entertainment area and birds-eye-view of the lagoon. All bedding is supplied, with towels. There is a satellite tv in the main bedroom - please bring your decoder and DSTV card. The main bedroom has a lounge/reading area, giving you a choice of staying in bed or relaxing in the chill-out area. There is one bedroom on each floor, each with its own deck and spectacular lagoon view.
The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse looks out over the lagoon and offers spacious, comfortable accommodation for up to 10 people.
The Mitford Lodge. Self catering (2 sleeper to 6 sleeper) apartments and bed & breakfast. Accommodation is only 35 steps away from the sea. Great food and an amazing view.
Ocean Valley View. Comfortable self-catering accommodation in modern fully furnished house that sleeps 8 persons. Beautiful views of the sea, valley, bush and cliffs and within very easy walking distance of the sea.
On The Rocks. On the Rocks is a seafront house, situated less than 50m from the sea and is a 5-minute walk past bully fishing pools to the swimming beach and lagoon. It is the perfect house for a fuss free family holiday and has 3 double-bed sea facing rooms and 2 big, bright back rooms sleeping 3 and 2.
Oystercatcher. Situated a mere stone's throw from the sea on the Morgan Bay beachfront, Oystercatcher Self Catering offers uninterrupted panoramic views of the bay and comfortable accommodation for up to 7 people. The open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge leads out onto a wooden deck where you can relax and take in the scenery. To the side of the house is a sheltered patio and braai area that is ideal for socializing with friends and family.
Sea View Cottage. Situated on the hillside and only a shell-throw from the warm Indian Ocean, Sea View Cottage offers stunning sea views and magnificent sunsets. This idyllic retreat provides comfortable self-catering accommodation for up to 12 people, with a daily maid service included.
Spinnaway. Double-storey, seafront house, consisting of two self-catering apartments, with a shared double garage. Each sleeps 5 people in two bedrooms & has an open-plan kitchen & lounge that lead out onto a deck with braai place.
Stuart's Place. Stuart's Place offers secluded self-catering accommodation for 5 people in a house in Morgan Bay. The house is situated within 100 m of the shop and boasts a large wooden deck with jacuzzi that overlooks the green-belt and lagoon. Accommodation consists of one double bed bedroom and a second bedroom with a double and single bed.
Turn Inn. 2 luxury units each with private entrance and patio on ground floor, secure off-road parking, magnificent lagoon views and access.
The Beach House. Situated in a prime location, only metres from the mile-long beach and safe swimming lagoon, The Beach House in Morgan Bay is ideal for relaxing holidays with family and friends, providing self-catering accommodation for up to 12 people with a daily maid service included.
Brandon. comfortable family home overlooking the lagoon 110 paces from the Morgan Bay beach and swimming lagoon.
Keromescory. Kermescory is a large, modern, timber-frame home in Morgan Bay, providing luxurious self catering accommodation for up to 10 people in an ideal location, only 2-minutes walk from the beach and lagoon, boasting views of both the river and sea. There are 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms in all, 4 of the bedrooms are en-suite.
Milla Villa. Milla Villa is a well-appointed family beach cottage in the Plankton Development 100 m from the Morgan Bay Beach and with uninterrupted views of the lagoon. The cottage, which sleeps 9 people, runs down to the jetty on the lagoon and is surrounded by grassy lawns.
Morgan Bay Hotel. Family accommodation establishment. Their mission is to be the best family run Hotel on the Wild Coast. Their aim is to make your holiday a memorable one, so that you will speak of Morgan Bay with fond memories and always return for more. Run by the Warren-Smith family since 1946. Come and join the Morgs family as it is commonly known.
The Ree. Newly built, modern holiday home with stunning lagoon view. 6 bedrooms (sleeping 14), 3 bathrooms and large open plan living area. Fully equipped kitchen, under cover braai area and double garage.
Sip-a-way. Situated in a prime location, very private, 50 m from the sea. Sip-a-way has a magnificent view of the sea and cliffs and is only 600 m from the main beach. The house is ideal for a relaxing holiday with family and friends, accommodating 8 people. There are 4 Bedrooms, comprising 3 double beds and 2 single beds, all en-suite. All linen and pillows provided, but no bath or beach towels.
Sole Mare. Completely renovated and refurnished house with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (2 en-suite). "Sole Mare" is situated on the front row, approximately 60 m from the Morgan Bay beach and lagoon. The house will sleep 10 in comfort.
Make Morgan's Bay your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 5235971 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2026-03-25. This is not a date of field verification.
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