💱
Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
🗣
Language
English, Xhosa, Zulu
🕐
Time Zone
SAST (UTC+2)
☀️
Best Time to Visit
Dec–Feb
🚢
Typical Duration
100-169 nights
💰
Price Range
From $3,357 pp
⚓
Port Type
Port of Call
🚤
Tender Port
No
Gateway to South Africa's Eastern Cape region, offering access to wildlife reserves, cultural experiences, and scenic coastal landscapes on world cruises.
Cruises that visit East London
- cruises to East London
- East London sailings
- East London cruises
- 124-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 141-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 141-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 152-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 152-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 169-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 169-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in East London
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Vincent Park
Well organized shops in one place fast and excellent service.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Windmill Roadhouse
Some of the best food in East London
🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM
Hemingways Mall
The place is very clean, friendly staff and good quality clothing
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Buccaneers
An East London staple
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Sanook Eatery
The absolute best Food, Restaurant and service in East london.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Gillwell Mall
Shops are clean, always well stocked and staff is super friendly.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Grazia Fine Food & Wine
Fantastic restaurant in East London!
🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
East London China Town
Lots of deals and suprising quality and generaly good hospitality
🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Sanook Cafe
The best restaurant in East London.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8:30 AM
Mdantsane City Shopping Centre
There is a good balance of shops, grocery, clothing, and hardware.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Hemingways Casino
East London's most visited destination.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Table 58 Brewing
Its would be the inly restaurant I would go to everyday in East London
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Beacon Bay Retail Park
Beautiful, clean,good service to shops
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Jules On Jarvis
This is by far 1 of the best restaurants in East London.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Ebuhlanti
Nice braai spots, meet people and beach is close by.
Beacon Bay Crossing
Wide selection of materials, lace, buttons and all things related to sewing.
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
China Mall
The mall where u can find anything at affordable prices
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
The Cow and Milk Shed
Best place to eat in East London .
🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
East London Golf Club
Golf carts·Food
🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM
Sunsets On Beach
A warm atmosphere, plenty of beer and a decent menu to order from.
🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM
East London Zoo
We visited the East London Zoo on December 24th during a public holiday.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Nahoon Reef
We from western Cape being in eastern Cape was quiet nice
East London Museum
Eastern London Eastern Cape South Africa is beautiful place.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
Aquarium
We always visit when we are in East London.
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
East London Grand Prix Circuit
One of my favourite stops in East London.
Berea Mall
Secure space ... variety of top class shop and other services
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Extreme Valley
Team building with my colleagues was super fun.
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Dassie Trail
The Dassie Trail offers stunning views and peaceful surroundings.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Sanook Cantina & Craft
Best place to eat in East London.
🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM
Mr Price East London Union St
Friendly staff, affordable prices.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
Ncibane's Lifestyle PUB & GRILL
Jolly cool place for drinks and good music.
🕐 Closed · Opens 8 AM
TBY The Back Yard
A great place with great staff, good food, drinks and music.
🕐 Closed · Opens 12 PM
The Kitchen Table East London
By far the best food in East London.
🕐 Closed · Opens 7 AM
Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve
A must see in East London!
🕐 Closed · Opens 9 AM
UPPER DECK PUB AND GRUB
Great atmosphere.Always has good music playing.Has good food.
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
Bats' Cave
We went with Desmond, one of the guides.
Nahoon Point Lighthouse
There are some beautiful views over the ocean from the lighthouse.
Eastern Beach
Born and raised in beautiful jewel 💖 ❤️ of South Africa
Slow Lounge
The vibe is great, food good, service excellent.
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
The Ritz
Affordable prices
🕐 Closed · Opens 10 AM
YŌSO
Great Music, Great Food, Immaculate vibes
🕐 Closed · Opens 11 AM
The Rhythm Bar
Good music, nice people & very classy for the location.
East London Tourism
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About East London
East London serves as a compelling cruise destination on South Africa's scenic Eastern Cape coast, offering travelers an authentic glimpse into one of the continent's most dynamic regions. As a primary port of call, this vibrant harbor welcomes discerning cruisers from premium lines including Viking Ocean Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silversea, and PONANT EXPLORATIONS. The port's strategic location makes it an ideal waypoint on extended world voyages and African coastal itineraries, with typical cruises spanning impressive 169-night journeys that connect iconic destinations like Cape Town, London, Walvis Bay, Singapore, and Colombo.
What makes East London particularly special is its blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Passengers docking here enjoy convenient access to pristine beaches, the scenic Amatole Mountains, and the renowned Addo Elephant National Park—one of Africa's premier wildlife experiences. The city itself pulses with creative energy, featuring excellent museums, local art galleries, and a thriving waterfront district perfect for exploration during your port visit.
The port welcomes cruise traffic year-round, with peak seasons occurring during the Southern Hemisphere summer months of December and January, as well as the autumn period spanning April and May. Whether you're seeking wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, or simply a memorable African experience, East London delivers an enriching stop that perfectly complements any world cruise itinerary.
What makes East London particularly special is its blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Passengers docking here enjoy convenient access to pristine beaches, the scenic Amatole Mountains, and the renowned Addo Elephant National Park—one of Africa's premier wildlife experiences. The city itself pulses with creative energy, featuring excellent museums, local art galleries, and a thriving waterfront district perfect for exploration during your port visit.
The port welcomes cruise traffic year-round, with peak seasons occurring during the Southern Hemisphere summer months of December and January, as well as the autumn period spanning April and May. Whether you're seeking wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, or simply a memorable African experience, East London delivers an enriching stop that perfectly complements any world cruise itinerary.
Cruise Lines at East London
- Viking Ocean Cruises (12 cruises)
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (2 cruises)
- Silversea (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From East London
Cruises Visiting East London
Ship Schedule at East London
East London Location
Other Cruise Ports in South Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is notable about East London port?
East London lies at the Buffalo River mouth, offering beaches, history and river views.
Which beaches are popular near the city?
Eastern, Nahoon and Orient beaches are popular for surfing and sunbathing.
What makes East London a good travel base?
Its riverside history, coastal scenery and gateways to the Transkei region.
How can I reach East London?
It's accessible by road from the N2 and by air via East London Airport.