Storm – into Port St Francis…  Sunday, 11/05/2025

Well, I succeeded in leaving Durban! The first day’s sail was great, we made 150 nautical miles in 24 hours. From then on it was slow going, the wind light and variable. As a result, it was very clear that I wouldn’t make Knysna by Friday afternoon. 

And that was a problem, because there was a major front coming from the southwest, which would hit the coast by early Saturday afternoon. Knysna is not an easy place to get into – a narrow entrance between the heads, best negotiated an hour before high water (which was at 15:00 on Saturday). That would have been taking quite a chance – with a strong wind it might have been impossible to enter, leaving us stuck out at sea in a storm. Winds were forecast up to about 45 knots, which would have been very unpleasant – if it’s possible to avoid this sort of thing, it’s always a good idea. 

So, passing Port Elizabeth, I decided on Port St Francis, a little harbour just up the eastern side of Cape St Francis. I managed to get a berth and came in at about 15:30 on Friday afternoon. It’s a lovely little harbour, well protected and clean. It is both commercial and leisure – there are about 40 brightly coloured fishing boats crammed into one end, with the remainder being a conventional marina layout accommodating yachts and other small boats. It is the only privately owned harbour in South Africa, and the contrast to Durban harbour could not be greater – no sewage in the water here! (Basically, anything run by the South African government is a mess). The harbour was built in 1995, and is surrounded by apartments – this area is a popular, and fairly upmarket, holiday destination. 

The berth I have belongs to Nexus Yachts, who build a small number of Balance catamarans each year. I was welcomed in by one of the proprietors, and then got the key for the harbour from the harbour master – a friendly chap who I had called seeking a berth, and who had given me the numbers of two companies to call. A very friendly place – I have eaten and showered at the Port St Francis Ski Boat & Yacht Club, where the atmosphere is very welcoming. So this has turned into a pleasant stop. 

Yesterday I walked the 5 kilometres or so down to Seal Point, where there is a lighthouse. This is the most southeasterly point of Africa, and the views along the coast are great. Although the wind was picking up, it was sunny with very blue skies until mid-afternoon. Walking back, I stopped at a cafe and got talking for the best part of an hour to a man from Cape Town, who was out for a spin on his motorbike. One of those people one occasionally meets and talks to as though you have known them for years…

By late evening there was a full gale blowing. Even in the sheltered harbour the boat was jumping around at times, with lots of creaking and whistling. It certainly felt good to be securely tied up in here. It remained very windy this morning, but the wind has been lightening this afternoon. Tomorrow will be fine, and I shall set off for Cape Town, which is just under 400 nautical miles away. It looks like the wind will be light, so it is very likely to take me 4 days to get there.