June 2022
Walk on the Nahoon boardwalk
The Nahoon Point Nature Reserve is home to over 2km of pristine coastline, as well as a series of boardwalks perched above the fragile dune vegetation – allowing visitors to be part of the beauty without disturbing the plants or habitat under their feet.
We read that the Nahoon Point boardwalk has recently been repaired and improved. So it was a good time to take a closer look at this boardwalk. There is a parking area near the boardwalk and then it is only a few steps before you reach the white sand and continue your walk on the boardwalk.
A new addition to the boardwalk is a platform from which one can watch the sea (and whales). We hope to see the whales sometime during our stay here in East London.
From the platform, the boardwalk continues with a few turns and steps until we reach the beach.
At first glance it is a rocky beach and we found a narrow path between the rocks and dunes until we came to another parking area and a small sandy beach.
There were a few people lying on the beach, while youngsters played in the water β¦ you’d never think it was winter at the moment!
At the end of this beach we saw another boardwalk that wound its way to the top of a dune. We decided to follow it and see where it leads.
To our surprise, a much larger sandy beach was located on the other side of the dune! The boardwalk takes you down to the beautiful Nahoon Beach. And once again we were surprised to see how many people were on the beach. If it looks like this on a winter day, I’d love to see this beach in December during summer time!
We decided not to walk further down to the beach because we had a long way back to our car again. We can always come back on another (warmer) day – then maybe we can dip our feet in the water.
At times, during this walk, the boardwalk ended, which meant we had to follow a narrow path through thick bushes to get back on the boardwalk. Oh, don’t you just love a little adventure on an otherwise easy hike!
On the way back we came across a guy and his two dogs. The one dog followed Berto the whole time. We had to stop a few times to get him to turn around β¦ eventually he reluctantly decided to let us go.
The views back to the small beach were beautiful. It was also now downhill (and hard on the knees), but at least we could enjoy the sea below us.
Back on the small beach we noticed the popular yellow frames of which you can take photos. Unfortunately, the sun was right behind the frame, which meant that our angle of the photo wasn’t ideal.
From here we had to walk up the boardwalk again to the very top to reach the parking area. A hike that was meant to be just a leisurely stroll ended up giving us a good workout!
When we started our walk earlier, we noticed that there was a restaurant at the parking area. We needed no encouragement to head straight to the Reef CafΓ© for lunch!
We ordered two large glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice to quench our thirst. I was also the lucky one to enjoy a glass of wine (Berto was the designated driver). For lunch I enjoyed the Fish Bites Basket (filled with fish bites and scampi prawns) with onion rings and chips, while Berto couldn’t resist a Sleezy Cheesy burger with chips and a side salad β¦ all really delicious.
Oh, and the Reef CafΓ© has a clever idea of how to make sure the beach stays clean. If you come back from your walk with a bag full of rubbish, you can hand it in to the cafΓ© and get a free coffee β¦ we’ll do our part next time!
It was a wonderful walk on a beautiful boardwalk. Although, I have to admit, my legs were quite sore the next day β¦ it’s time we hit more trails!
I always love a walk by the sea. It looks like a decent stretch of boardwalk.
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Yes, a walk by the sea is definitely one of our favourite things to do … and how fortunate are we that it’s right on our doorstep! And to walk on such a nice boardwalk, was a bonus!
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That looks a seriously long walk and with steps no less. I don’t wonder you were sore but what a great beach. I would love to sit looking out for whales, with the breeze (not wind!) on my face. I also love that the cafe is doing its bit for Nature with the coffee for trash. Good for them.
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I was quite impressed that this boardwalk carried on for such a long way. Oh yes, I would love to watch passing whales (agree, with no wind)! There was not really any sign of trash on the beach … maybe the cafe’s initiative works … or maybe people are just generally good with looking after nature (or is this wishful thinking?) βΊοΈ.
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I love a seaside boardwalk and the one you have just done looks so.nice and if the beach looks so inviting in winter, it must be absolutely delightful in summer. What a great I initiative at the cafΓ© for collecting rubbish. More places could take their lead on that! Enjoy your week.
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I’m sure this boardwalk must be one of the gems around East London. They have done a really great job of repairing some of the broken parts of the boardwalk and adding new sections (like that platform). We will definitely come back here again (I seem to say that of every place we visit thus far π), but especially during summer. I agree Marion, high five to the cafe for that initiative!
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You werenβt kidding about this boardwalk and the views it offers π Itβs simply gorgeous. I also must applaud the owners of the cafΓ© for creating this incentive to help maintain the area clean. Bravo!
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See, I told you π. It was such a lovely walk and with those splendid views, it’s worth a visit on a regular basis! And yes, I agree with you about a good deed by the cafe … I will even pay for my (free) coffee just because they care so much for the environment.
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There is a proverb here that says βa hand on its own canβt clapβ, we all must do our part to make our world a bit better.
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I like that proverb very much ππ.
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What a beautiful coast and so nice to have the boardwalk along it, even if it’s not 100 percent done. Maggie
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Thanks Maggie, this is where the Wild Coast and the Sunshine Coast comes together … I can see why! The boardwalk is such a wonderful attraction to both tourists and locals (and I’m happy to see the authorities are taking care of it).
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What a beautiful walk and such a great environmental initiative to swap coffee for rubbish. No doubt you will be back!
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We were pleasantly surprised with this walk … and yes, we will most definitely go there again! Thumbs up for the cafe and that great initiative – just for that, we will make sure to support them each time we get there!
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You are such a martyr! π More beer and burgers!!
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Lyk na n heerlike dag uit in lekker weer!
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Ons kan beslis nie kla oor die weer nie! Ons kon ons amper verbeel dat dit ‘n heerlike somersdag was … dalk is dit hoe die lekker wintersdae hier in Oos-London lyk βΊοΈ.
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Sjoe, dit is pragtig. En ja, ek cover ook my man se rug, met selde βn foto van myself. Mooi foto van jou, mens wil sommer kom saamsit en kuier.
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Dankie vir die inloer Christa … ja, dis regtig mooi. Ons is verbaas oor hoeveel mooi hier is, want ek dink nie die Oos-Kaap word verskriklik baie bemark deur die toerismeburo in SA nie (of dalk het ek dit net nog altyd mis gekyk). Daar is ‘n paar sulke bankies op die “boardwalk” en ek’s seker mens kan sommer lekker lank sit en staar oor die mooie see.
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Beslis, en droom β¦
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Wat ‘n mooie dag het julle gehad om die plankpaaie te gaan verken! Jou foto’s vat mens sommer saam op julle togte. Ai, maar ek verlang see toe…
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Dis waar Tannie Frannie, die heerlike sonskynweer het beslis bygedra tot die heerlike stap. Ag ja, die see is soos medisyne vir mens se siel … ek kan sommer net sit en staar vir ure (alhoewel, Berto se altyd vir my ons hoef nie noodwendig te sit nie, ons kan ook STAP en staar na die see π).
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…en dan oor ons eie voete val? Dis ‘n sleg idee,..
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π … dis wat ek ook gese het (maar blykbaar kan mans dit goed doen – stap en staar) …
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Corna, dit is regtig n pragtige plek waar julle gaan stap het! Lekker om so nuwe plekke te ontdek! Die strande en die uitsig oor die oseaan is so mooi! Bly dat hulle die plantegroei so beskerm met die boardwalk. (kan sowaar nie aan die Afrikaanse woord dink nieπ). Bly hulle hou dit in n goeie toestand.
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Dis heerlik om al hierdie nuwe plekke te sien Aletta. En die strande is almal mooi en die uitsigte ewe lieflik! Tannie Frannie het net-nou gehelp met “boardwalks”, sy noem dit “plankpaaie” (dis so ‘n mooi woord, ne). Ja, dit klink my die owerhede het hier aan die begin van die jaar die boardwalks begin regmaak (en sommer ook die plaaslike mense gekry om te help), dit was so lekker om dit raak te lees.
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Dis n lekker naam! Plankpaaieπ dis n goeie manier om die mense te betrek om hulle omgewing te verbeter.
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Looks like youβve wound up in another beautiful place guys
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It does, hey π. We are pleasantly surprised with what beauty we have seen thus far!
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Oh it’s just beautiful – I absolutely love those views out over Nahoon beach
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It was a big surprise for us! The boardwalk is definitely more than what we expected and to see Nahoon beach on the other side, made us hoping that summer won’t stay away too long π. Thanks for reading and commenting Hannah, have a great week.
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This looks like a wonderful coastal walk. I hope yo go back when there are whales around and share the sight! Your lunch looks delicious too and I love the idea the cafe has to reward litter picking π
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Thanks Sarah, yes it was indeed a great walk (a bit more strenuous than expected, but worth the views)! I would say lunch was well deserved βΊοΈ. We will definitely go back there to support the initiative of the cafe – love it!
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This place is stunning! That upper boardwalk has my name on it and what a great idea picking up trash.
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That boardwalk is like dessert Diane … keep the best for last π. Yes, I should nominate that cafe as “cafe of the year” for that smart initiative, don’t you think?
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That certainly is a beautiful area. The boardwalk seems to go on for miles, and looks quite steep in some places; but well worth the effort to enjoy the gorgeous beaches. Kudos to the cafe for encouraging cleanup!
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That’s true Tricia … it really felt as if the boardwalk had no end (which is a good thing of course). The last part of the boardwalk was quite steep – I felt it in my wobbeling knees going back down, but oh my, the views were just breathtaking beautiful! And I agree 100% with you on that cafe!
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I really like the boardwalk and how it has been nestled right into the greenery. This was yet another impressive walk with the kind of stunning views I have become accustomed to seeing in South Africa through your posts. Going back and seeing the beach is a must while catching sight of some whales would be just… awesome. You really earned those juices and that meal! Another great post Corna, maybe that dog figured life with you guys might be more fun than with his current owner π
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Thanks Leighton – it was a great afternoon exploring (yet) another new place. I really hope we can see some whales … apparently a good time for them to make their appearances here on the southeast coast, is during the last six months of the year … sounds perfect, hey! Ha, that dog will have a heavenly time with us, that’s for sure (if only he knew, he would have slipped into our car π). Thanks for reading and your great comments (as always), have a good week.
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My oΓ« rek ietwat, Corna. Ek vermoed ek sou nie kon byhou op hierdie lieflike staproete nie. Dis wonderlik dat jy soveel detail op hierdie manier met mens deel, so saam met al jou fotos.
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Nee wat Una, rus-rus sal jy maklik hierdie ene kan stap … dink net aan al die mooi uitsigte wat jy gaan kry wanneer jy bo is! Dankie dat jy ingeloer het, ek’s bly jy het dit geniet.
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Enjoyed taking this walk with you. I could go for that tall orange juice right about now!
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Thanks for joining us Ruth. I presume it’s hot there by you (if you’re going for the orange juice π). I just said to my husband the other day: When it’s summer, it’s sometimes too hot and when it’s winter, it’s sometimes too cold … I wish we could have spring and fall forever!
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I like that idea! It’s not too hot here in the mountains, but in Denver, on the plains just an hour away, it does get quite hot. The juice looked so refreshing.
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It seems the mountains or close to the ocean is the place to be (in summer time any way) π.
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What a lovely series of boardwalks to explore. The fresh orange juice and food looks delicious. I love that they offer an incentive to help clean up the beach. What a great idea and a good excuse to return.
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I remember all those lovely boardwalks we have walked in Portugal on our Portuguese Camino … but these boardwalks are just on another level of enjoyment! I totally agree with you regarding the cafe’s wonderful initiative – we will definitely support them again (and do our part for nature).
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That is a clever idea the cafe has! The boardwalk looks interesting with lots of amazing views.
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Absolutely love the cafe’s initiative – they’ve got my full support! As for the boardwalk, that was a great walk … the views are stunning … we can’t wait to go back there π.
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I love how SA and Australia have all these boardwalks along their coastlines, it makes it easier to walk along and to reach the beach (though I appreciate the steps up and down to the actual beach can be an effort). Here in Cornwall a lot of the coastal paths are badly eroded and stony and slippery and getting down to a secluded beach can be tricky. You seem to have landed in a beautiful area.
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Yes, I have seen many boardwalks similar like these on fellow bloggers’ sites in Australia. Maybe it’s because it’s sometimes so bushy close to the beaches and to make access easier. Oh, I love the scenery at Cornwall (of course only from what I have seen on photo’s – never been there) and can’t wait to have a look at your blog!
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I am thrilled to see you 2 are up & running, scoping out local beauty near your new home! This boardwalk is impressive! And the beach, so lovely. How are you settling in to the new routine? π
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And so much beauty Lisa! I am totally surprised with what we have seen so far in the Eastern Cape province. Yes, it’s a lovely boardwalk, that just continued on and on! We are getting there, thanks for asking. We are now in our rented house and I think most stuff are sorted out … we feel blessed πΈ.
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Feeling blessed is a wonderful acknowledgement of life! I am very happy for you & Berto! π
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Absolutely stunning! Thank you for taking me along the boardwalk Corna πΈπ Seems like a really great experience, plus you got to exercise, whilst taking in beautiful views and ending off with a satisfying meal, what more can you asked for? Oh yes, the cleaning up and getting the free coffeeπ
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Thank you so much Henrietta πΈ. And thank you for coming along – hopefully you were not too tired after walking up and down this lovely boardwalk π. This must be really one of the most beautiful boardwalks we have ever walked … yes, you can be sure we’ll be going back there (we still need to collect a bag of trash for that free coffee βΊοΈ).
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The yellow frames are classic South Africa and a great idea. It is surprising that they have not popped up in other countries, to my knowledge anyway.
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Like I’ve said before … I thought the yellow photo frames are in most tourist places around the world π. I think it’s quite a brilliant idea – we saw one on a farm a couple of months ago (made by the local farmer) with a lovely hill as a backdrop, the frame had nothing written on it (like the professional ones), but was just painted yellow and has made lovely photo’s … quite ingenious.
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