Chokka Trail
Cape St Francis is probably best known as a surfing and holiday village, what is not so well known is that it is the centre of the Squid (Chokka) fishing industry in South Africa. It starts with a fairly testing but fascinating walk over the extensive inland dune fields before joining up with a coastal path that passes through Cape St Francis and finishing in the St Francis Bay village and marina. It includes visits to the chokka processing plant and a chokka tasting, as well as a tour of the SANCOB coastal bird (mainly African penguins) rescue centre. A moderately easy hike, although the section across the dunes can be quite strenuous, depending on weather conditions.
Trail Details
Trail location
Greater St Francis – St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Oyster Bay – Eastern Cape.
Nearest city
Port Elizabeth
Transport options
Self-Drive or shuttles to and from Port Elizabeth Airport
Trip Duration / Options
Option 1: 4 days/ 3 nights
Start / Finish
Start: Oyster Bay – GPS: 34˚09’66.40 S / 24˚ 38’15.70 E
(vehicles are parked at the Cape St Francis Resort GPS: 34˚11’56.39 S / 24˚49’53.04 E, and hikers transported to Oyster Bay)
Finish: Cape St Francis Resort – GPS: 34˚14’63.55 S / 24˚83’02.94 E
Daily Time / Distances
Day 1: up to 19km Day 2: 18km Day 3: 16km Day 4: 12km
Day 1: 4 – 6 hours Day 2: 6 – 9 hours Day 3: 5 – 6 hours Day 4: 4 hours
Trail Grading
On a scale of Easy – Moderate – Strenuous
This trail is moderate. A reasonable level of hiking fitness is required but most active hikers will manage.
Physical Fitness
Moderate fitness required. Difficulty is related to the weather on the day.
Technical detail / Terrain
Beaches, dunefield, footpaths, coastal forest and thicket.
Accommodation
3 and 4 star guest houses and a Resort
Food Supply / Catering
All food included – warm breakfast, lunch pack, cooked dinner plus calamari tasting and farewell meal. You only pay for your drinks.
Logistic support / Guiding
Accompanied by the owner on day 2, 3 and 4. Support vehicle can fetch hikers in need.
Highlights
Visit to SA’s only working harbour, Port St Francis. Calamari Tasting – unique in SA. Diverse route which includes sightings of middens, shipwrecks, the Seal Point Lighthouse situated on the south-eastern most tip of Africa, sunset cruise on the famous St Francis canals, the Oyster Bay Dune Bypass System – hiking 14km on a moving dunefield.
Other Activities
Swimming, snorkling, paddling
Fauna & Flora
Coastal forest and thicket, dune bypass system.
250 species of birds counted.
Climate
Moderate winters.
Seasonality & Best Time Year
Jan – Feb can be hot.
March – November ideal, might have 4 seasons in a day though!
Group Size
4 – 16
Price P/P
Option 1: R7100 pp sharing (2023 rate)
Option 2 to 4 alternatives on application
Price Includes
Option 1 – 3: accommodation, all meals, canal cruise, calamari tasting, transfers
Here you'll find any scheduled trails that you can join. Trails may be booked up to one year in advance, so be sure to scroll ahead using the arrows on the left to find if there are any available. The trail operator page will also list any scheduled trails.
If you would like to enquire about different dates, please fill in the form below. Trails are initiated when someone makes an enquiry, and go ahead once the minimum numbers are confirmed.
Scheduled Chokka Trails
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