The elegant, upmarket suburb of Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth is close to the beachfront, the Boardwalk Casino complex, the Summerstrand village shopping centre, the Humewood links golf course, the oceanarium (Bayworld), all three university complexes, and the airport is only 5 minutes’ away.
From 1814 to 1821 the Strandfontein farm, which later became the Summerstrand beach suburb of Port Elizabeth, was in possession of Piet Retief, who later became a Voortrekker leader and was killed in 1837 by Zulu king Dingane during negotiations about land. An estimated 500 men, woman and children of his party were massacred. After Retief the Strandfontein farm was owned by Frederik Korsten after whom another suburb of Port Elizabeth is named today.
Accommodation in Summerstrand:
- 25 Summerseas
- 80 Brighton B&B
- Alcyone
- Aquasands Guesthouse
- Cottage Retreat
- Kasama Lodge
- PE Guest Cottages
- Wilmot Cottages
- Access Guest House
- Admiral’s Lodge
- Africa Beach
- Al-Beit Lodge
- Algoa Guest House
- Beachwalk
- Brighton Lodge
- Calico Guest House
- Cape Flame
- Cardiff Lodge
- Carribean B&B
- Endless Summer
- Hobie Beach
- Jabula Lodge
- Kingfisher Guesthouse
- Martins Guest House
- Palm Beach
- Shamwari Townhouse
- Singa Lodge
- Sta-Plus Guest House
- Summer Blue Guesthouse
- Summerstrand Beach Lodge
- Tiran Guest House
- Villa Tuscana
Summerstrand provides a combination of golden beaches, warm waters, and access to the stimulating historic centre of Port Elizabeth. Hobie beach (the scene of the annual ‘Splash Festival’ close to Shark Rock pier) and Pollock beach are very popular nearby beaches, home to windsurfers, hobie-cats, yachts and surfers. If Port Elizabeth is the watersport capital then Summerstrand is the head office.
The Boardwalk Casino complex, touted as ‘the’ entertainment centre for all ages and a must for days that don’t involve beaches, is a heady mix of shopping, entertainment, gaming and fun set out around a series of man-made lakes and gardens lit at night by 40 000 Tivoli lights. The Supersport Arena alone features a regular line-up of comedy and music acts, whilst the casino has no fewer than 700 slot machines and 20 gaming tables.
There is no limit to activities in Summerstrand. From the Humewood golf course to the Oceanarium Museum, just opposite Humewood Beach. Here visitors can observe some of the most beautiful underwater creatures, and the most dangerous snakes around.
