- +27 728050651
- info@kenton.co.za
- Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 16:30
Menu
At the Kenton tourism office, our team embodies passion, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication. We live and breathe this region, with our hearts wide open, eager to showcase its wonders to both local and international visitors. Once you’ve immersed yourself in Kenton and its surrounding beauty, it’s hard not to find yourself wanting to linger just a little longer each day as a “bare-footer.” The area is rich with natural beauty, history, and timeless adventures. Our mission—one we’re absolutely thrilled to have—is to share our story with you, our next guest to The Barefoot Capital of the World!
Below you’ll find a brief overview of the gems of the region, Kenton, Boesmans, Cannon Rocks, Woody Cape and Alexandria. We hope to see you soon, and experience the best kept secret Mzanzi has on offer!
With its breathtaking beauty and distinctive location, this area offers the perfect blend for an unforgettable holiday and an idyllic lifestyle for its residents. Boesmansriviermond is a charming little village, characterized by its narrow streets and shaded by towering milkwood trees, nestled across the river from Kenton. From the Bushmans River Mouth, you can enjoy a 2.5km stroll along the beach to Kwaaihoek during low tide, with an additional 2.5km leading to the historic Diaz Cross.
Kenton is cradled between the Kariega and Bushmans rivers, with a stunning coastline and nature reserve nestled in between. The rivers, flanked by game reserves on both sides, are a sight to behold. The Bushmans River stretches for 32km and the Kariega for 16km, both offering endless opportunities for exploration. Whether you prefer paddling, cruising, water-skiing, or simply drifting with the tide, you’ll be mesmerized by the abundant birdlife and wildlife, including sightings of the Big 5. A beach walk between the two rivers reveals hidden caves, rock pools, and sheltered bays, all sculpted by unusual rock formations. The shifting tides and changing weather create an ever-evolving landscape. Snorkel at Blue Pool, cast a line at Rocking Horse, take a refreshing dip in Mermaids Pool, or simply gaze out at the whales and dolphins from the cliffs of the magnificent Shelly Bay.
Town Life – If you pop into Main street, Kenton on any given day, it’s buzzing with locals opening up their stores for the day, chatting while grabbing a morning coffee or enjoying the local brekkies before work. It’s a Kenton thing…Weekends you can find everyone getting ready for the beach, a group doggie walk or find your friends at any restaurant, because they’re all that good and that vibrant with brekkie or brunch offers.
Meandering along the street, there’s nothing more spectacular than the artwork on show created my renowned artists and budding enthusiasts. It inspires you to pop into a local supplier and be inspired by their passion, the energy and scenery of Kenton.
Kenton-on-Sea History – The origins of Kenton-on-Sea’s name are debated, with two compelling stories. One suggests that Captain Henry Somerset named the coastal town after Kenton, a village in England. Another account credits a man named Mr. Tilt, born in 1867, who had lived in Kenton, England, before purchasing land in the area and naming the resort after his former home. In 1935, developer A.W. Pudney seized the opportunity to buy Tilt’s Farm on the banks of the Bushman’s River. This picturesque part of the Eastern Cape coastline was destined to become the Kenton-on-Sea we know today. Initially, plots along the river were sold for between £25 and £100 per one-sixth of an acre. While many plots were sold, the outbreak of World War II in 1939 halted development, resulting in only seven houses being built in the early years. By 1946, the village was officially registered and named after the English village. Two Norfolk Pines were planted on a hill where the Kenton Hotel would later be constructed, serving as a navigational aid for sailors. These pines remain visible on modern charts, including British Admiralty charts of the South African coastline.
Boesmansriviermond, also known as Bushman’s River Mouth, sits serenely across the river from its more popular neighbour, Kenton-on-Sea.
its beauty is undeniable. Holiday homes line the edges of South Africa’s second-longest tidal river, and the town maintains a charming simplicity with just a post office and a small grocery store—exactly as its residents prefer. The area is blessed with two tidal rivers, offering ample opportunities for fishing and birdwatching, making it a haven for nature lovers. Since the mid-1800s, Boesmansriviermond has been a favored retreat. In those early days, farmers from Paterson, Cookhouse, Cradock, and Somerset East would make the trek by wagon to enjoy their Christmas holidays here.
Locals often speak of Riversbend, a prime location likely where those early wagons rested. It’s prized for its scenic vistas across the river and toward the ocean. A bridge on the R72 road connects Boesmansriviermond to Kenton-on-Sea, branching off the N2 near the N10 interchange at Nanaga, northeast of Colchester. Alternatively, you can reach it via the R343, a route just south of Grahamstown.
For those seeking a bit of adventure, Kwaai Hoek—an imposing, cave-like rock formation—is a leisurely 2-kilometer beach walk from Bushman’s River Mouth. “Kwaai,” meaning “cross” in Afrikaans, hints at the danger these rocks can pose when the sea turns rough. Nearby, the Dias Cross Memorial marks the historic landing site of Portuguese explorers led by Bartolomeu Dias, commemorating their 15th-century voyage with a stone pillar.
Town Life – Boesmans is a stone’s throw away from Kenton and major retailers, getting those necessitates, or joining weekend activities hosted in Kenton won’t be a problem. The host of sites, scenery and experiences create a bucket list on its own!
Kenton and Boesmans offer a wide variety of accommodation, restaurants, activities and experiences that will make the most of your time with us, create amazing memories and leave you wanting!