Photo and Words: John Garay, Cruise Critic contributor
Hugging Algoa Bay, pleasant Port Elizabeth is a popular port, thanks to its proximity to the excellent Addo Elephant National Park. Often overlooked, however, the city itself is well worth a poke around, time permitting; cruise lines typically offer some sort of city highlights tour here, by foot or by coach. Beaches and water sports are omnipresent here, but don’t miss the more interesting city centre, where revitalization projects have revived lovely historic Victorian buildings and coated public spaces with intriguing public art projects.
Tip: On the southern tip of Algoa Bay, visitors can check out the pretty Cape Recife lighthouse, dating to 1851. For a closer look, as part of a private city tour independent of the ship, hook up with the fine guides at Alan Tours; it’s the only tour company that can get you access to the charming lighthouse’s interior.
