Africa Deluxe Tours The Spirit of Adventure - Port Alfred

Kowie River boat cruises

The Kowie River on the Sunshine Coast in South Africa is the main feature of the town of Port Alfred. Recently a new boat, the Lady Biscay was launched. It offers boat cruises on the Kowie River. The river can be navigated for 15 km. The cruise up the river is comfortable and relaxing with ever changing views to be enjoyed.

The river banks feature natural bush, game reserves and farmland. Most prominent in the dense bush alongside the river are the River Euphorbias (Euphorbia triangularis) the Aloes and the prehistoric Cycads (Encephalartos altensteinii). A large variety of birds can also be identified.

The Kowie River, has its source in the Grahamstown heights and flows southeast until it empties into the Indian Ocean at Port Alfred. The main tributaries of the Kowie are the Bloukrans, Bak- and Lushington Rivers.

In Port Alfred the Kowie is the heart of many popular activities. The yacht harbour forms the base for many water sport, including deep sea fishing, scuba diving, as well as skiing on the estuary. Fishing marine fish in the estuary is also a popular activity.

Tours that include Kowie River boat cruises

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Private guided tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R57,500 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 2. (±US$ 4,146 )
R38,500 per person sharing - for group between 4 and 6. (±US$ 2,776 )
R30,700 per person sharing - for group between 7 and 14. (±US$ 2,213 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This private guided tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Self-drive tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R38,900 per person - for group between 1 and 1. (±US$ 2,804 )
R24,500 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 7. (±US$ 1,766 )
R8,500 single supplement (±US$ 612 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This self-drive tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Kowie River boat cruises attractions

A storm wave breaks over one of the piers that guard the Kowie River Mouth at Port Alfred on South Africa's Sunshine Coast.

Port Alfred

Port Alfred is known as the Heart of the Sunshine Coast, situated halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London. The Kowie River runs through the town and it is the base for the large small boat harbour and a very successful residential marina development. The town boasts a wonderful blue flag beach and a great variety of water and ocean based activities.

The mouth of the Bushmans River on South Africa's Sunshine Coast and the Indian Ocean beyond.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast in South Africa stretches from the Tsitsikamma Reserve in the South to East London in the North. Aptly named the Sunshine coast, because it boasts more sunshine hours per year than the rest of sunny South Africa. This is due to the warm Mozambique current that runs along this coast and leads to the moderate temperatures.

Aerial shot of Port Alfred on South Africa's Sunshine Coast, with the Kowie River and Port Alfred Marina visible in the foreground.

Kowie River

The Kowie River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, has its source in the Grahamstown heights and flows southeast until it empties into the Indian Ocean at Port Alfred. The main tributaries of the Kowie are the Bloukrans, Bak- and Lushington Rivers. The estuarine section of the river stretches from the mouth for 14 km inland.