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
Free WiFi, easy access and wide range of shops and services.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Windmill Roadhouse
The pizza is the best in all of South Africa.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Hemingways Mall
Sunday chill out, and It's usually quite which is perfect for shopping.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Buccaneers
Great service , delicious food, and a heartwarming atmosphere.
Open · Closes 12 AM
Sanook Eatery
Great service from friendly, well trained staff and the food is to die for.
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
Gillwell Mall
Clean, variety of shops and get assisted quickly in shops.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Pinecreek Restaurant & Events Venue
The food is excellent value for cost and very well prepared.
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Tue
Grazia Fine Food & Wine
The food is out of this world and the atmosphere and service are amazing.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Sanook Cafe
The beef and lamb sliders are the most amazing burgers I have ever eaten.
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
Spargs Mall
Parking calore and awesome variety and shopping experience.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
Mdantsane City Shopping Centre
Literally a one stop mall, from banks, to clothing,fast foods, sit ins.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Heavenly Pancake House
Very comfortable, good service and yummy food and coffees.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Lavender Blue Market, Café & Deli
The food, especially the freshly baked sourdough bread, was delightful.
Closed · Opens 7:30 AM Mon
Hemingways Casino
Venue for gaming, live music & cinema
Open · Closes 4 AM
Table 58 Brewing
Great food, delicious beer tastings and super fast and professional service.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Tue
Beacon Bay Retail Park
Ample parking and a large Variety of shops.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Jules On Jarvis
Tasty food, excellent service and wonderful atmosphere!
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Café Neo
800g Tomahawk steak for only R350 is absolute value for money.
Closes soon · 8 PM
THE BEACH BREAK
They make the most devine sourdough bread and their cakes are heavenly.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
China Mall
Great variety at reasonable prices with safe secure parking.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Ebuhlanti
Picnics·Barbecue grill
Open 24 hours
Beacon Bay Crossing
Wide selection of materials, lace, buttons and all things related to sewing.
Closes soon · 8 PM
The Cow and Milk Shed
A perfect ambience with good music, delicious food and a friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Mon
East London Golf Club
Golf carts·Food
Closed · Opens 11 AM Mon
Sunsets On Beach
The food is top quality and their cocktails are delicious.
Open · Closes 11 PM
East London Zoo
Zoo with animals & a 19th-century home
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Nahoon Reef
Restaurant
Open 24 hours
Ginger & Co
Lovely place to sitbandvenjoy good company and great coffee and food.
Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Mon
The Reef Café
Delicious food beautiful view very kind staff overall Amazing cafe
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Mon
East London Museum
Exhibits exploring local natural history
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
East London Aquarium
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Salt.
Outdoor seating·Great cocktails·Vegan options
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
Nahoon Corner
Soft sand beach with cooler water.
Dot Com Restaurant and Delicatessen
Free WiFi, great coffee and generous portions.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
Berea Mall
Secure space ... variety of top class shop and other services
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Bonza Bay Beach
Nice location, not crowded so it gives that private beach kinda vibe.
Open
Elahleni Food and Braai
Mouthwatering food, generous portions and professional, friendly staff 👌🏽
Open · Closes 9 PM
Urban Junction.
Lovely venue, delicious food and coffee, service great.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
Extreme Valley
Restaurant
Closed · Opens 10 AM Mon
Dassie Trail
Picnics
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Sanook Cantina & Craft
Divine atmosphere, wonderful service and authentic food
Closed · Opens 11 AM Mon
Orient Beach
Lovely clean beach
Nahoon Beach
Great place to be, clean beach and very friendly people.
Brazas Portuguese Fusion
Portuguese Steak 💰 R189 The visual appeal of this dish was outstanding.
Closed · Opens 4 PM Mon
Ncibane's Lifestyle PUB & GRILL
Beautiful place to chill with friend , braai is the best, and it's safe
Open · Closes 2 AM
Zaza Beach Club
Outdoor seating·Private dining room·Great cocktails
Open · Closes 11 PM
Drifters Raceway Theme Park
there is also a kiddies play area with jumping castles.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
TBY The Back Yard
A great place with great staff, good food, drinks and music.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Wed
Pedros Buffalo Street
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
The Kitchen Table East London
The food is well priced, well prepared and well presented.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Mon
Jade Garden Fusion Restaurant
Lovely atmosphere, outstanding food and wonderful hosts.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Tue
Gyoza Home
Great Eastern food, super flavourful and well priced.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Mon
Kofini & Co
The Matcha Latte and Lavender Latte were both delicious.
Closed · Opens 6:30 AM Mon
Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve
Picnics
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
UPPER DECK PUB AND GRUB
Great atmosphere.Always has good music playing.Has good food.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Bats' Cave
Go with friends or a group, and it will be both safe and memorable.
Nahoon Point Lighthouse
Mermaid's Pool
The best beach in EAST LONDON
Open
Balfour Park Shopping Centre
Easy access 😎 Close to Vincent Park and other shops
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Cove Rock Eatery
Awesome setting , great food and excellent service.
Open · Closes 9 PM
Eastern Beach
Fun fun and lots of sand
Café Jardin
Lovely relaxed atmosphere, suitable for kids, there is a play area.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Cove Rock Beach, East London
Closed
Slow Lounge
The vibe is great, food good, service excellent.
Open · Closes 10 PM
The Ritz
Dancing
Open · Closes 2 AM
The Grillroom
Great cocktails
Open · Closes 10 PM
YŌSO
Great Music, Great Food, Immaculate vibes
Open · Closes 9 PM
East London Golf Course Restaurant
Outdoor seating·Great cocktails
Open · Closes 10 PM
Blue Bend Beach
Beautiful sand dunes but not suitable for swimming.
Open
Azzuro
Outdoor seating
Open · Closes 2 AM
Club Eden
Dancing
Closed · Opens 7 PM Thu
Umtiza Nature Reserve
Picnics
The Rhythm Action Bar
Great place to let loose and have some fun 😁
Open · Closes 2 AM
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.