Port St. Johns

Port St. Johns is a town on the Wild Coast, situated at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River. The town is thought to be mistakenly named after a Portuguese ship (the São João), which was actually wrecked at Port Edward. The town was established in the 1880s by the British, and used as a port until 1940. Near the town Travertine and Sandstone is excavated.

EMERGENCY:
Hospital no. for Isimilela Public Hospital. Bakery within the Superspar. Ferry/Pontoon Services Nearby. Doctor no. given for Dr Lutchman.

TOW-INS:
R.C.R towing and tyres in Port St Johns offers tow-in services and tyre repairs: +27(0)73 388 8637; rcrtowing1@gmail.com.

“The Story of Port St. Johns, Wild Coast Port St. Johns is a small town on South Africa’s Wild Coast, set at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River. Its steep forested cliffs, tropical climate, and mix of Xhosa culture and informal tourism give it a distinctive character. But its history stretches back long before it became known as a laid back destination. The area was originally inhabited by the San and Khoikhoi, and later by Bantu-speaking peoples, including the ancestors of the Xhosa. These communities lived off the land, herded cattle, and developed local cultural and spiritual systems that remain strong today. The name “Port St. Johns” has no confirmed origin. One theory links it to the Portuguese ship São João, which wrecked in 1552, but that wreck happened near Port Edward, not the Umzimvubu River. Another possibility is that a nearby rock formation reminded early sailors of St. John the Baptist. It’s also possible the name evolved over time from earlier Portuguese names for the region, such as “São Christovão.” The real source is still debated. In the 19th century, the region was part of Mpondoland. In 1878, Mpondo chief Nqwiliso ceded land on the west bank of the river to the Cape Colony in exchange for official recognition and military protection. The town of Port St. Johns was established in the early 1880s, with a colonial trading post and rudimentary port facilities. River shipping was possible for a few decades, but by the mid-20th century the Umzimvubu had silted up, ending commercial use.Port St. Johns stayed relatively isolated for much of the 20th century. Today it remains off the beaten track, with no large scale development. Its surroundings include Silaka Nature Reserve, high cliffs known as the Gates, and the Isinuka sulphur pools - a place of cultural importance for the Mpondo people. While it attracts tourists for hiking, fishing, and traditional healing practices, it is still shaped by the rhythms of rural Eastern Cape life. (Origins 22 - Genealogy & History )” - Chris Smit, 2025/06/03

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