Lightleys Holiday Houseboats Port Alfred

For houseboat enthusiasts, Lightleys Port Alfred offers an unbeatable experience in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, so named for its warm, temperate year-round climate. Be the captain of your own holiday in a catered or self-catered, self-drive houseboat, on the glorious Kowie River, and enjoy a fantastic family holiday or a romantic getaway. Whatever your choice, you’ll be able to navigate your Lightleys Holiday Houseboat along 15 km of tranquil waters and anchor overnight at numerous peaceful spots along the river.

It is a holidaymaker’s paradise, situated halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London, Port Alfred is accessible from two international airports and is an easy drive from Bloemfontein via Cradock and Grahamstown, or from Cape Town along the N2 through the Garden Route. The holiday town is a year-round paradise with beautiful beaches along the warm Indian Ocean, excellent surf, many wonderful sea and river watersports, and a quaint, vibrant town with a number of good restaurants.

Lightleys Holiday Houseboats is located at The Royal Alfred Marina, a magnificent residential and recreational feature of Port Alfred. Built close to the mouth of the Kowie River, it consists of 45 ha of prime property on a network of canals, which boast numerous luxury homes, a small boat harbour with mooring for all types of boats, and a variety of hotels, restaurants and coffee bars.

For the Lightleys holidaymaker the marina, the river, the town and the surrounding area provide endless opportunities for entertainment in an unspoiled and tranquil environment. Spend your holiday on the river swimming, fishing, bird watching or sun tanning on the deck. In the evenings, watch the stunning sunset while you prepare a braai, or tie up at Ocean Basket or Mansfield Black Rock Restaurant, in season, and treat yourselves to a night out.

For the more adventurous there is scuba diving at Fountain Rocks, which is one of South Africa’s most colourful reefs, canoeing, water skiing, hiking, horse riding along the beach, dune boarding or mountain biking. Two nearby golf courses, the famous Royal Port Alfred Golf Club and Fish River County Club, are rated amongst the top 100 courses in South Africa. Spa-lovers will enjoy the St Francis Health Spa or Port Alfred Health Hydro. The area also boasts many world-class Big 5 game reserves within half an hour’s drive of Port Alfred, while world-renowned parks such as Shamwari, Kwandwe and Pumba, are within an hour’s drive.

Port Alfred also plays host to inter-varsity rowing races in September, the Powerzone Festival and the Vintage Fair in Bathurst. In December, holidaymakers can attend the annual ten day Neptune Festival and Bathhurst Ox Braai, one of the highlights of the festive season in the Eastern Cape. Craft markets and art festivals are also held over the Christmas holidays and throughout the year on public holidays and long weekends.

Live it up in style on one of our four sleeper houseboats, equipped with all the comforts to make your stay on board stress-free and enjoyable. Just bring your groceries, clothing and towels. We take pride in our customer service and will ensure that you receive a personalised orientation session.

So book your Lightleys houseboating holiday now. There is no better way to enjoy the beautiful holiday town of Port Alfred and explore the river, the beaches, the town and the surrounds. You don’t need any experience or a skipper’s licence - we’ll show you how it is done. You will love being captain of your own holiday.