Residents say they live in Paradise. Here's what Paradise is all about
Port Alfred offers all the amenities one needs for a fantastic lifestyle. We boast two shopping centres. Our new shopping experience is ROSEHILL MALL . This modern eco mall is at the entrance to town on the Port Elizabeth side and boasts a Woolworths -with a Food Hall - and Super SPAR as well as Ackerman's, Clicks, Truworths, Foschini , Miladys, Edgars Red Square and Markhams. There are several smaller independent stores such as a jeweller, an interior decorator, hairdresser, beauty salon, estate agency, travel bureau, gift shop, two cinemas and a state-of-the art gym PLUS several restaurants and coffee shops with eye-catching views out to sea.
In the centre of town is HERITAGE MALL where the anchor tenant is Pick 'n Pay. Other national stores in town are Mr Price, Sheet Street, Jet Stores, Mica, Midas and CNA as well as several independent furniture, clothing, fashion, sports and speciality stores. .
The Courtyard is a chic boutique mall offering fashion, home decor, antiques, crafts & gifts, a Greek deli and a delectable eatery - Zest - where you can sit in the sunshine and soak up the local gossip!
Other amenities in town include a modern art gallery, museum, gym, several beauty salons, hairdressers, numerous restaurants, nurseries, major banks, a tote, motor dealerships, tool hire and boating franchises. And we have the one-of-a-kind Royal Alfred Marina where every home has its own waterfront and jetty with access to the Kowie River and out to sea.
For young families this is an excellent area to relocate to if you're after a better lifestyle for childrem. Here they can run free and enjoy the normal pursuits of childhood - swimming, cycling, surfing, running on a beach, fishing, exploring - all much better than living imprisoned behind high, electrified walls or touring shopping malls.
Port Alfred offers top-quality schooling and there are also groups for toddlers and pre-schoolers. As well as Port Alfred High School - that boasts amazing academic and sporting records - there are smaller private establishments offering quality teaching. Grahamstown is only 40 minutes away and there are several renowned private schools there. Many local children travel daily or check in as weekly boarders. Grahamstown's Rhodes University has a reputation second to none and is the university of choice for students from all over the country. And no wonder - Port Alfred is just down the road for weekend and holiday enjoyment. This is why so many families choose Port Alfred for their holiday home base.
Port Alfred High School offers outcome based education for boys and girls from Grade 1 through to Matric. PAHS actively participate in a wide variety of Sports & Recreation including Rugby, Cricket , Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Hockey, Netball, Chess, Art & Drama, Choir & Steel Band. Phone: 046 6242440 Fax: 046 6245340.
  
Port Alfred also boasts one of the most lively and switched-on Tourism Offices in the country. It's very visible in town being painted in bright African designs and colours. Our Tourism Director is a large-than-life lady Bev Young - also know on line as The Lioness because of her flaming red hair and roaring laugh. She also rides a Harley Davidson with great amusement and aplomb.
Port Alfred offers many and varied medical facilities - doctors, chiropracters, physiotherapists, naturapaths, clinical psychologists, opticians and dentists. Netcare was awarded the tender to upgrade and run the local hospital and the new facility is open and doing great work. A private wing is part of the new hospital. Top-quality medical facilities and care are available. Specialist surgeons visit regular and carry out major orthopaedic procedures.
Pets are not forgotten and there are two veterinary clinics. There is also a well-run, busy SPCA.
Sport enthusiasts could be forgiven for thinking they've landed in a sporting paradise with river and deep-sea fishing, diving, sea and beach surfing, canoeing, horse-riding, quad biking, hiking trails and bowling greens. The town's beautiful Kelly's Beach boasts Blue Flag status so it's a safe haven to take small children to enjoy building sandcastles and take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean. There are several other beaches where many residents take daily walks with their dogs. The exercise is great and the views stunning.
And let's not forget the golf for as well as the famous Royal Port Alfred course, Fish River Sun is a mere 20-minute drive and less than an hour away Bushman Sands at Alicedale. Both boast Gary Player designed courses
Royal Port Alfred Golf Course is very special as you'll see a lot more than golfers while you play. You may stop and chat to a giant tortoise or tip toe quietly past a fallow dear as it makes a snack of the garden blooms. And you'll most likely be watched by a herd of springbok, gemsbok or eland or maybe a couple of shy bushbuck. There are no predators on the course so all the buck lead a peaceful life - except when an errant golf ball whizzes past them,
Annual attractions in the area are The Mad Hatter Golf Tournament at the end of April each year, the Bathurst Ox Braai, Bathurst Vintage Show, Pineapple Cricket Festival and there are several International Rowing Regattas and Fishing Competitions held at the Ski Boat Club on the banks of the Kowie River.
Port Alfred Business Forum is a vibrant organisation that welcomes newcomers to town and offers information on business prospects as well as help and encouragement to those relocating to the area and taking over an exisiting or setting up a new business.
Local education institutions are top-rated and there are also pre-primary and play schools. Grahamstown, with its acclaimed private schools, is 56km inland and offers day and boarding schools. Rhodes University is one of the country's tops for further education.
43 Air School is 5 minutes from town. This is where aspiring pilots from all over the world come to train - including future SAA pilots. Just a few kilometres further along the road is the historic Settler Village of Bathurst – boasting the world's largest pineapple, many historic churches and the country's oldest pub The Pig and Whistle and The Corner Art Gallery, Farm Stall and Nursery. Some folks say Bathurst is poised to become the Dullstroom of the Eastern Cape. Their Sunday Farmer's Market attracts folks from near and far every week.
There are several 5-star game reserves barely an hour away – among them Shamwari, Kwandwe, Pumba, Lalibela and closer to home Intsomi and Kariega Reserve that also boasts the Big Five. The superb Oceana Reserve which is right on the beach is just a 5-minute drive out of town on the East London road. This amazing place has been featured on Morning Live and Top Billing. Where else can you see rhino on the beach?
St Francis Health Centre – 15 minutes out of town - attracts clients from all over the world. Visitors to this facility and the game reserves fly in from all over via either East London or Port Elizabeth Airports or by private aircraft to 43 Air School which is a mere 5 minutes out of town.
 
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