Small ‘getaway’ seaside town known for fishing, horse riding, and its scenic beaches voted as one of the best in South Africa

Kei Mouth in the Eastern Cape was a finalist in kykNET’s Kwela Dorp van die Jaar (Town of the Year) competition in 2026.

The small town is a popular getaway location for South Africans, featuring coastal forests, stunning beaches, and a thriving fishing culture.

A coastal town, Kei Mouth is situated on the coast, almost 100km from East London (KuGompo City) in an area known as the Wild Coast.

It is located on the western bank of the Great Kei River, from which it derives its name.

“Kei” originates from a Khoi word meaning “sand”, and the town is situated at the mouth of the Great Kei River, which explains the rest of its name.

Kei Mouth was established as a military outpost by the British in the early 1850s, after the War of Mlanjeni, also known as the 8th Frontier War.

Shortly thereafter, civilians began to settle and establish farms in the surrounding area.

Throughout the 1800s and into the 1900s, Kei Mouth evolved into a rustic, secluded retreat for settlers and inland farmers.

It quickly became a popular holiday destination thanks to its stunning views.

Kei Mouth also gained fame for its rowboat service, used to cross the river to the Transkei (Centane) side.

The service was popular because the only other way to cross the river was a 154-kilometre detour, due to a lack of bridges in the area.

In 1990, a motorised, cable-guided Pont replaced the rowboat service, serving as a means to cross the river.

The Pont can carry two vehicles at a time, and is also used to transport people and livestock.

The service is now one of only three car-transporting river ferries in South Africa, and comprises three ponts.

Even though it is a popular tourist destination, Kei Mouth remains a very small town in off-peak seasons.

A 2022 census put the population at 2,439 people when the nearby township is included, while the core Kei Mouth area is significantly smaller.

Town of the year finalist

The Town of the Year competition is run annually through a partnership between kykNET and Lottoland.

Any town with a population smaller than 500,000 can be nominated by the public, and the top three towns from each province face off to advance to the finals.

Though it didn’t win overall, Kei Mouth was crowned the Eastern Cape regional winner.

“We are so excited to have been voted the Eastern Cape Finalist in Kwela’s Dorp van die Jaar competition,” said Kei Mouth Tourism.

Kei Mouth today

South Africans are attracted to Kei Mouth for its scenery, remote location, and solitude.

The small town offers scenic hiking routes, pristine beaches, and attractive forest areas.

Its beaches are famous for their stunning views as well as the Nguni cattle, which wander around on the sand.

It also has a famous hiking route along its beach, where hikers trek around 60 kilometres over four days down the coastline towards Gonubie.

Local industries include The Pont, an active equestrian scene, and extensive fishing.

Aside from offering a vital service to many locals, The Pont is also a popular attraction, as many tourists cross the river just for the experience.

Horse riding adventures are popular in the area, with tourists choosing between quick two-hour rides and multi-day safaris.

The well-developed fishing scene also means that water activities extend beyond just angling.

The Kei Mouth Ski-Boat Club offers deep-sea charters, with anglers targeting estuarine species like Spotted Grunter, Kob, White Steenbras, and Leervis.

Shore species like Bronze Bream, Galjoen, and Musselcrackers are also popular, while deep-sea anglers target Geelbek, Red Roman, and Tuna.

Photos of Kei Mouth