On the water
Surfing & lessons
Lesson packages come with a coach, a board and a wetsuit — and you keep the kit for the rest of the day. When Chintsa is flat, Queensberry Bay, Yellow Sands and Nahoon Reef are all within reach.
Things to do
Fill the day, or don’t
Everything below is booked at reception. Most of it is a five-minute walk from your room.
At the lodge
On the property, or a few steps off it
Ask at reception the night before and it’ll be waiting for you in the morning.
On the water
Kiteboarding
Chintsa is one of the best kiting spots anywhere. Learners use the flat water of the lagoon; advanced kiters take the ocean. Bring your own gear or learn here. Water sits above 23°C in summer and 18–19°C in winter.
On the water
Canoes & the lagoon
Hire a canoe and paddle up the lagoon, or take a boogie board down to the beach. Both are at reception, and the lagoon is flat enough for children.
On land
Beach horse rides
Run with Newhampshire Rehabilitation Horse Farm, with horses to suit different ages and abilities. Safety briefing and helmet included, then out through the Chintsa bush and down onto the sand.
Slow down
Yoga in the pagoda
Cher teaches on Sundays and Fridays in the yoga pagoda, with mats provided — just book at reception. We also host six or more yoga retreats a year.
Slow down
Massage
On-site massage, bookable at reception. Best taken after a day in the surf, when your shoulders have opinions about it.
On the beach
Beach, rock pools & walks
Eighteen kilometres of unspoiled beach for walking and collecting shells, with rock pools and a tidal pool within walking distance — the best free entertainment we have for kids.
Around the pool
Volleyball, ping pong & the pool bar
A beach volleyball court, a ping pong table and a swimming pool. The pool bar opens in peak season and does the best pizzas in Chintsa — we’ll take that argument on.
Quiet hours
Fishing & birdwatching
Fish the lagoon, or take the forest paths early with binoculars. The eight hectares of indigenous forest behind the rooms is busier at dawn than the beach is.
Give something back
The Soup Kitchen hike
A guided walk across the beach to our local township to help make lunch for the Chintsa kids. It runs on a R100 donation, paid directly, and it is the thing guests write to us about years later. Book it at reception.
Around Chintsa
Worth getting in the car for
All of these are within about fifteen minutes. Reception will book what needs booking.
Quad biking & ziplining
Nine lines strung through a gorge full of aloes and indigenous plants, with a decent chance of spotting giraffe on the way. All ages; the zipline tour needs a minimum of five people.
Olivewood Golf Course
Rated in South Africa’s top 100, laid out inside the Eastern Cape coastal forest. Book through the Pro Shop on 087 350 4310.
Chintsa Deli
Deli goods, bakery, fresh produce, craft beer and gin at the Atalia Centre in Chintsa East, with garden seating and pizza and platters if you stay.
Tea in the Trees
A licensed café doing freshly made brunch and coffee, Thursday to Sunday 9am–2pm, with a gallery on site. At the Chintsa West turn-off, 25km from East London. There’s a bike park for the kids too.
Hey Clay
Pottery painting for all ages at the Atelier Centre, Chintsa East. Open weekends, school holidays and public holidays — contact Lynne on 082 327 3917.
Emerald Vale Brewery & walks
A craft brewery 4km from the Chintsa East coastline, brewing since 2012 with natural ingredients and rainwater. Walk it if the weather’s good.
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