Port St Francis Sailing Guide

Port St Francis Sailing Guide. Port St Francis lies on the south side of St Francis Bay, approximately 40 nautical miles west of Gqeberha. It is a privately managed artificial harbour built for the local chokka squid fleet, commercial fishing vessels, charter craft and yachts. The basin covers about 2.5 hectares of protected water and contains roughly 200 moorings. Commercial landing, vessel movement and quay access control daily harbour activity. The port functions as a working fishing base and must be treated as such by every visiting skipper.

Cape St Francis forms the southern limit of the bay and marks the transition between the Agulhas Bank and the exposed Eastern Cape coast. Seal Point Lighthouse remains the principal fixed coastal reference in this sector. The local maritime economy is based on chokka squid, line fish, hake and supporting vessel activity. Offshore conditions are controlled by Southern Ocean swell, frontal systems and the western boundary flow of the Agulhas Current. These factors produce short operating windows and rapid changes in sea state around the cape.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - History

Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias passed this coast in 1488 and named the wider bay Golfo dos Pastores. Manuel de Mesquita Perestrelo used the name Bahia de São Francisco during a coastal survey in 1575, establishing the name that later became St Francis Bay. European settlement developed around farming, fishing and access to the Kromme River. A land grant recorded in 1765 preceded permanent settlement and the later development of Humansdorp as the district service centre. Fishing activity expanded as small craft began operating from the bay and nearby river entrance.

The coast contains Later Stone Age shell middens associated with Khoisan occupation, including remains of shellfish collection, stone tools, beads and pottery. Archaeological sites occur along Cape St Francis, St Francis Bay and near the Kromme River mouth. Modern canal construction began in 1968, with the main canal system completed during the 1970s. Construction of Port St Francis started in the mid-1990s, using excavated basin rock to form the breakwaters. The harbour opened in November 1997 and initially accommodated more than 50 chokka vessels, with Core-Loc concrete armour units used on the breakwater works.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Ocean Currents and Tidal Flow

The Agulhas Current flows southwestward outside the continental shelf and commonly reaches 3 knots, with sections exceeding 5 knots. Its strongest axis normally lies near or beyond the 200-metre contour, but meanders and inshore intrusions can carry current effects across the shelf toward St Francis Bay. Inshore flow is less consistent and can include weak countercurrents, wind-driven reversals and eastward coastal flow. A southwest wind opposing the Agulhas Current produces steep, short-period seas and breaking wave crests offshore. Do not cross the current axis during an established southwest gale.

Tides are semi-diurnal, with two high waters and two low waters during each lunar day. The dominant M2 constituent has a period of approximately 12 hours 25 minutes. The general south-coast tidal range is about 0.5 metre at neaps and between 1.5 and 2.0 metres at springs, although the actual Port St Francis height must be taken from the current tide table. Tidal flow at the harbour entrance is normally less significant than swell, wind and surge, but the additional depth near high water affects the margin available over the nominal dredged entrance. Offshore and bay currents can set a yacht across the final approach before the breakwater opening is reached.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Weather

Port St Francis lies in the transition zone between South Atlantic frontal systems and the subtropical circulation of the southwest Indian Ocean. Cold fronts pass from west to east throughout the year and occur more frequently during winter. A front normally produces falling pressure, north or northwest wind, a westward shift, then southwest wind with rising pressure behind the front. The frontal southwest flow can persist after the cloud band has passed and can maintain a sea state that prevents harbour entry. Swell generated south of the continent can reach the harbour approaches after the local wind has reduced.

Summer weather contains longer periods of east or southeast wind, coastal cloud and afternoon convection over the interior. Thunderstorms can move toward the coast with gust fronts, rain and electrical activity. Winter conditions contain lower air temperatures, frontal rain and stronger west or southwest pressure gradients. Fog and low cloud occur when moist marine air crosses cooler coastal water, reducing the visibility of the breakwater opening and land features. Harbour entry remains dependent on actual swell at the breakwaters rather than the wind recorded inside the basin.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Local Winds

The main operational wind sectors are east to southeast, west to southwest and the pre-frontal north to northwest sector. East and southeast winds blow directly into St Francis Bay and build a short sea across the final approach. A sustained easterly also sends swell toward the harbour entrance and can produce reflected water between the breakwater heads. Southwest wind is partly offshore within the southern bay but creates severe conditions where it opposes the Agulhas Current farther offshore. West wind generally reduces wave generation inside the bay but can remain strong and gust across the land.

The regional named wind is the berg wind, a dry offshore flow from the interior that normally arrives from north or northwest ahead of a coastal low or cold front. A berg wind can produce high temperature, low humidity and reduced coastal visibility from dust or smoke. Its termination can be followed by a rapid west or southwest change. Local passage planning must use the pressure sequence and frontal timing.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Approaches

From the east, remain outside the coastal shoals while passing the southern side of St Francis Bay, then approach the harbour from seaward after identifying Cape St Francis, Seal Point Lighthouse and both breakwaters. Do not cut close to Seal Point because rock ledges and breaking reefs extend from the cape. Maintain water deeper than 20 metres until the harbour sector is positively identified, then reduce the distance offshore on a controlled track toward the entrance. Fishing vessels, squid boats, lines, marker buoys and small craft operate throughout the bay. Radar and visual bearings must agree before the yacht crosses the 10-metre contour in reduced visibility.

From the west, clear Cape St Francis and Seal Point before turning north toward Port St Francis. Allow for set around the cape, particularly when an inshore eastward current has developed. The harbour entrance is narrow and must not be attempted in high swell or when breaking water crosses the approach. The entrance is published as dredged to approximately 2.8 metres, but this is a maintenance figure rather than a guaranteed depth at every state of tide. Obtain current depth, swell and traffic information from the harbour master before leaving the 10-metre contour.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Navigation

The entrance lies between the south breakwater head at approximately 34°11.008′S, 24°51.125′E and the north breakwater head at approximately 34°10.977′S, 24°51.138′E. Call Port St Francis on VHF Channel 16 before committing to the entrance. Confirm that no fishing vessel is departing because a loaded commercial vessel has limited manoeuvring room between the breakwaters. South Africa uses IALA Region A buoyage, with red marks kept to port and green marks kept to starboard when entering. Align with the opening before closing the breakwater heads and do not approach diagonally across the entrance.

Reduce to manoeuvring speed before crossing the breakwater line, but retain enough speed for rudder control against surge. Do not stop in the entrance and do not turn until fully inside the basin. The nominal dredged entrance depth of 2.8 metres provides limited under-keel clearance for deep-draught yachts, and published visiting-yacht information gives about 2.2 metres as the practical maximum draught. Commercial unloading quays, fuel access and fishing-vessel lanes must remain clear. Proceed only to the position allocated by the harbour master.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Lighthouses and Lights

Seal Point Lighthouse — D6386: Position 34°12.752′S, 24°50.171′E. The lighthouse was completed in 1878. The masonry tower is approximately 27.75 metres high, with a focal height of about 36 metres. The light characteristic is Fl W 5s, with a nominal range of 28 nautical miles. The fog signal is Morse C every 30 seconds. It is the primary coastal light for identifying Cape St Francis but does not define the harbour approach line.

Kromme Bay Light — D6386.1: Position 34°11.695′S, 24°52.094′E. This is an active local light east of the port sector. It must not be confused with either breakwater light when approaching from the east. Its current colour, period, elevation and nominal range must be taken from the current South African List of Lights and the corrected large-scale chart.

Port St Francis South Breakwater Light — D6386.2: Position 34°11.008′S, 24°51.125′E. The light is recorded as active and marks the southern side of the entrance. Confirm its current characteristic and operational status from the current List of Lights and Notices to Mariners.

Port St Francis North Breakwater Light — D6386.4: Position 34°10.977′S, 24°51.138′E. The light is recorded as active and marks the northern side of the entrance. Do not rely on the two breakwater lights as the sole means of entry because background harbour lighting and spray can reduce their definition.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Chart Accuracy

Use the current South African Navy Hydrographic Office chart coverage. SAN 124 covers Cape Seal to Cape St Francis at 1:150,000, SAN 125 covers Cape St Francis to Bird Island at 1:150,000, and small-craft chart SAN SC9 covers Cape St Francis to Bird Island with a Port St Francis inset at approximately 1:5,000. The inset is required for the final approach and entrance. Apply every current Notice to Mariners and check the status of all lights before departure.

Electronic charts reproduce the fixed breakwaters and coastal topography adequately when based on current hydrographic data. They do not provide a live record of dredging, silt movement, berth depth, fishing gear or harbour construction. Satellite imagery can confirm the geometry of the breakwaters but cannot establish water depth or current obstruction clearance. GPS accuracy does not correct outdated source soundings. Harbour-master depth information and direct sounder readings control the final entry decision.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Anchorages

St Francis Bay Roadstead. The open roadstead north and northeast of Port St Francis is the only external anchoring area available to a cruising yacht without entering the harbour. Charted depths of about 8–12 metres can be selected over sand outside the surf line, with holding dependent on locating a clear sand patch. The roadstead is exposed to east, northeast and southeast wind, ocean swell and refracted swell around Cape St Francis. It is not an all-weather anchorage and becomes untenable when swell enters the bay. Use is restricted to settled conditions with an offshore west or southwest wind and no forecast easterly change.

Port St Francis Harbour Basin. The harbour basin is not a free anchoring area. Moorings and temporary positions are allocated by the harbour master, and anchoring without instruction can obstruct the turning area, commercial fishing berths and access lanes. The basin provides the only protected yacht position between Gqeberha and Knysna, subject to entrance conditions and berth availability.

Cape St Francis and Seal Point. There is no viable yacht anchorage off Seal Point or the exposed coast south of Cape St Francis. The seabed contains rock, reef and surf-affected ground, with no protection from Southern Ocean swell. Do not anchor close to the lighthouse, surfing areas or reef margins.

Kromme River and Marina Glades. The Kromme River and canal system do not provide an alternative sea-going yacht anchorage. Access is controlled by a shallow, mobile river entrance and waterway rules intended for local shallow-draught craft. Private canal berths are not visitor moorings and do not replace an assigned Port St Francis berth.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Port St Francis is not a South African maritime port of entry. An international yacht must complete Customs, Immigration, Border Management, Port Health and applicable agricultural clearance at a designated maritime port before proceeding to Port St Francis. Gqeberha lies to the east and is the nearest designated clearance port for a yacht approaching from the Indian Ocean side. Mossel Bay is the corresponding clearance port when arriving from the west. Port St Francis has no resident international clearance service.

Complete the South African traveller declaration and all yacht-arrival notifications required for the designated port of entry. Declare firearms, animals, plant material, restricted food, controlled medicines and goods subject to Customs control. Retain passports, clearance documents, vessel registration, insurance and the port-of-entry release on board for inspection. Harbour management can inspect registration, insurance, safety equipment and pollution controls before allocating a position.

Starlink and other satellite terminals remain subject to ICASA electronic communications, spectrum licensing and equipment type-approval requirements. ICASA investigated unauthorised Starlink service in 2025, while 2026 regulatory submissions continued to treat direct South African Starlink service as requiring the applicable licences. Do not assume that foreign roaming activation removes domestic regulatory requirements.

Drone operation is restricted because St Francis Field aerodrome lies about 2 kilometres west of the harbour. Civil Aviation rules prohibit unapproved drone operation within 10 kilometres of an aerodrome, above 150 feet, near manned aircraft, within 50 metres of people or property without permission, or outside visual line of sight. Harbour land, fishing facilities and private property also require owner or operator permission.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Marina Facilities

Port St Francis is the only sea-access marina and commercial harbour at the destination. The protected basin covers about 2.5 hectares and contains approximately 200 commercial and recreational moorings. Visiting yachts are placed on an assigned berth, catway, alongside position or rafted position according to vessel dimensions and commercial fleet movements. The published practical yacht draught is about 2.2 metres, while the entrance is nominally dredged to about 2.8 metres. Confirm length, beam, draught and arrival time with the harbour master before entry.

Facilities include electricity and water at parts of the berthing area, toilets, showers, waste points and access to the Port St Francis Ski Boat and Yacht Club. Wi-Fi and shore-power availability depend on berth position and connection type. Commercial quays, unloading areas, forklift routes and fish-processing access are not visitor berths. There is no unrestricted waiting berth inside the entrance. If no position is available, the operational alternatives are Gqeberha to the east or Knysna to the west; the open St Francis Bay roadstead is not a substitute during an easterly or swell event.

The Marina Glades canal system is separate from Port St Francis. Its berths are predominantly private and its access route is governed by Kromme River depth, bar conditions and local waterway controls. It is not a general visiting-yacht marina.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets. SUPERSPAR Village Square, Village Square Shopping Centre on St Francis Drive, is approximately 4–5 kilometres by road from Port St Francis. Published normal trading hours are 07:00–19:00 Monday to Saturday and 07:00–18:00 Sunday. Village on Main SUPERSPAR at 78 Main Street, Humansdorp, is the main full-line alternative when local supply is unavailable. Humansdorp is approximately 20–25 kilometres from Port St Francis by road. Published hours are 07:00–19:00 Monday to Saturday and 07:00–18:00 Sunday. A road vehicle is required for bulk transport from Humansdorp to the harbour.

Markets. St Francis Morning Market operates at the St Francis Market Grounds, 3 Assisi Drive. The normal schedule is the last Saturday of each month, weather permitting, with additional dates during long weekends and the December period. Published operating hours are 09:00–13:00. Produce varies with local supply and includes vegetables, fruit, eggs, baked goods, preserves and products from farms within the Kouga district.

Fish Markets. Balobi Seafood Market and Deli is located in the Porthole Building on Triton Avenue inside Port St Francis.  Local fish include red roman, kob or cob, geelbek or Cape salmon, hake, yellowtail, snoek and basterman. Chokka is the local name for Cape Hope squid. Fish can also be purchased through authorised harbour processors and vendors when a landing is released for retail sale. Catch availability changes with fishing closures, weather, vessel schedules and species controls.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Local Cuisine

Chokka is the defining local seafood product. The species is Cape Hope squid, Doryteuthis reynaudii, also recorded under the older name Loligo reynaudii. It is prepared as grilled calamari tubes, fried calamari strips, stuffed squid or whole cleaned squid cooked over a braai. Correct preparation requires short high-temperature cooking or a controlled slow cook; intermediate cooking produces a firm texture. The local fleet, processing plants and food trade are structured around the chokka fishery.

Local line fish dishes use kob, geelbek, red roman and yellowtail according to legal landings and seasonal supply. Fish braai consists of whole or split fish cooked over coals with salt, lemon, butter or a spice baste. Seafood potjie is a cast-iron pot preparation using fish, squid, mussels or prawns with vegetables and stock. Hake is normally fried, grilled or used in fish cakes. Roosterkoek is bread cooked over coals and is served with fish, meat or preserves throughout the Eastern Cape.

Regional meat dishes include lamb potjie, boerewors cooked over a braai and bobotie made with spiced minced meat and an egg topping. These are South African and Eastern Cape dishes rather than harbour-specific foods. The operationally relevant local product remains fresh or frozen chokka landed through Port St Francis.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Local Beverages

St Francis Brewing Company operates at St Francis Drive in the village. Its named beers include Beach Blonde Lager, Wildside IPA, Kromme River Witbier, Lighthouse Ale and Storm Rider Stout. The producer also handles cider and artisan spirits. National beers commonly stocked locally include Castle Lager, Castle Lite and Carling Black Label. South African brandy, cane spirit, gin and Amarula are available through licensed outlets.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Diesel Fuel Supplies

Marine diesel is available through Port St Francis, but access is controlled by harbour operations. Fuel can be dispensed from the harbour fuel installation where berth access permits or delivered by road tanker for commercial quantities and vessels unable to reach the dispensing point. There is no verified unrestricted 24-hour self-service facility for visiting yachts. Confirm fuel type, quantity, berth position, payment method and delivery time.

Road-service-station diesel is available in St Francis Bay and Humansdorp for transport in approved containers. Moving large quantities by portable container requires harbour permission and compliance with fuel-storage and fire-control rules. Do not carry loose or unsealed fuel containers through public marina areas.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Water Supplies

Fresh water is available from connection points at parts of the Port St Francis berthing area. Connection availability depends on the allocated berth, hose reach and current harbour restrictions. The supply is municipal mains water, but potable status at the yacht depends on the condition of the shore outlet, hose and onboard tank. Confirm that the outlet is assigned for potable use before filling.

Flush the shore outlet and hose before connecting to the deck fill. Do not allow a hose end to enter harbour water or rest on the commercial quay surface. Use the yacht’s sediment and carbon filtration where installed and disinfect tanks after any suspect fill. Water pressure can vary during municipal restrictions, maintenance or high seasonal demand.

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Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Marine Services

Port St Francis supports a commercial fishing fleet and has access to general mechanical work, welding, fabrication, hull work, rigging assistance and vessel maintenance arranged through harbour operators and local contractors. Seaport Supply provides boat equipment and marine electronics from the St Francis Bay area.

St Francis Marine and Balance Catamarans maintain yacht-building operations in the district. Their facilities are production yards rather than unrestricted public repair yards, and work on a visiting yacht requires direct commercial agreement. Local composite and structural capability is therefore present, but haul-out, crane capacity and workshop access must be confirmed for the specific vessel.

No locally verified authorised Volvo Penta, Yanmar, Nanni Diesel, Vetus or Beta Marine inboard-diesel agent operates inside Port St Francis. No locally verified authorised Raymarine, B&G or Simrad service agent is based within the harbour.

OSASA - South African Yacht Assistance

The Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa (OSASA) came into being during the COVID pandemic crisis where they actively assisted entry to South Africa by cruising yachts into its various ports. It is a non-profit company created to liaise with Maritime officials to facilitate entry to South African ports at the time.  OSASA was assigned by the SA Department of Transport to handle the mandatory pre-arrival authorisation (PAN) for all incoming non-SOLAS yachts, both local and foreign. OSASA services include the following:

• Manage and update the online registration portal for incoming non-SOLAS vessels
• Manage the pre-arrival authorisation (PAN) process with the Department of Transport for incoming small vessels at the Ports of Entry
• Provide up-to-date information for cruising yachts navigating South African ports and coastal waters
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with SA maritime authorities and port officials, and with local offshore yacht clubs and marinas
• Work with local offshore clubs and marinas to develop and enhance their facilities

Cruising yacht visitors are encouraged to contact OSASA. They are a group of willing and like minded volunteers along the South African coastline and will assist with the needs of cruising yachts. This group is known as the OSASA Port Ambassadors and will assist cruising yachts with anything that may be required. Anything from entry procedures right down to directing you to the nearest dentist or barber and anything in-between. There is a published list on the OSASA website as well as on the Sail to South Africa WhatsApp group of the individual OSASA port Ambassadors.  Ports and marinas that are covered are Richards Bay; Durban; East London; Port Elizabeth; Port St. Francis; Knysna; Mossel Bay; Gordon's Bay, False Bay YC (Simon's Town), Hout Bay, Saldanha Bay; Port Owen; Cape Town (V&A Waterfront and Royal Cape YC).

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Local Etiquette

Port St Francis is a working fish harbour. Commercial vessels, unloading operations, forklift routes, ice handling, fuel delivery and processing access take priority over pedestrian and recreational-yacht movement. Do not leave tenders, bicycles, hoses, shore-power leads, sails or equipment on a working quay. Move immediately when directed by the harbour master, vessel skipper or unloading supervisor.

Ask permission before entering a commercial vessel, processing area, workshop or restricted quay. Do not photograph workers, vessel interiors, catches or processing operations without consent. Direct communication is normal, and operational instructions are often given without extended explanation during a landing or vessel movement.

English and Afrikaans are widely used, with isiXhosa also spoken in the district. A greeting before making a request is normal interpersonal practice. “Molo” is an isiXhosa greeting to one person, while “Goeie môre” is Afrikaans for good morning. Do not assume that access to a public restaurant or retail area permits access to the adjoining commercial harbour zone.

Port St Francis Sailing Guide - Summary

Port St Francis is a narrow-entry working fishing harbour with a nominal entrance depth of 2.8 metres and a practical visiting-yacht draught near 2.2 metres. Entry depends on swell at the breakwater heads, current harbour depth and clearance from the harbour master. The port provides assigned berthing, controlled fuel and water access, local provisioning and limited independent marine support, but it is not a port of entry. These operating limits define the Port St Francis Sailing Guide for all you want to know.