Place in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Cannon Rocks is a small seaside town on the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, between Boknes and the boundary of the Greater Addo Elephant Park. It is situated 135 km east of Port Elizabeth and 180 km west of East London approximately 15 minutes from the town of Kenton-on-Sea. Port Alfred is approximately 40 km to the East of Cannon Rocks via the R72 Road.[2] Cannon Rocks is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality in the Sarah Baartman District of the Eastern Cape.
The town is named after two cannons of historical importance and is close to the Diaz cross, erected five centuries ago by Bartholomeu Diaz, the first Portuguese ocean explorer to sail along the eastern coast of South Africa.[3]
Cannon Rocks is a major marker for weather forecasts for the coastal belt. It divides two coastal sections: Plettenberg Bay to Cannon Rocks; and Cannon Rocks to Kei Mouth.[4]
Cannons and anchors
The South African coast – especially the Cape coast – is notorious for its stormy weather, making it one of the most treacherous in the world. A combination of strong winds, unpredictable currents, freak waves and hidden shoals or reefs come together to give our coastline its hazardous reputation. In early times, the rudimentary barometers used on ships were able to give a short term weather forecast. However, there was no long-term nor predictable means of weather forecasting which meant the voyagers did not know what weather systems they were sailing in to, nor what systems were coming up behind them.[6]
Geology
There are outcrops in the sea close to Cannon Rocks of a coastal marine formation, the Salnova Formation. This formation occurs about 20 metres above sea level and comprises calcrete with quartzitic sandstone boulders and shell material.[7]
Activities
Cannon Rocks is a great kitesurfing location. The town used to host the yearly Cannon Rocks Kiteboarding Classic competition. Since dune movement encroaching on the car parking area, it has been suspended.
The major attraction is the unspoilt and uncrowded nature of the beaches, coupled to a stable and predictable south westerly and easterly wind which are both cross shore. These conditions are also enjoyed by windsurfers.
The town is a premier rock and surf angling destination. There is a charter company (Big Blue) in town that takes visitors on deep sea angling, snorkeling or scuba diving excursions.
The community hall is available for rental for local functions and get-togethers.
The nature trail is very popular. We are very privileged to be on the border of the SANPARKS Woody Cape/ Addo National Park. The trail, leaving from The Cannons carpark, is approx. 7 km – a 2 – 3 hour circular walk through a variety of habitats, including the beach.
There is a two-hour drive that takes visitors through the Golden Mile dairy farms on the spectacular cliffs overlooking Bird Island and the world's biggest coastal dune field. The road turns into the state forest where century old trees form a dense canopy over the road. The road ends in Alexandria, where it branches back over the mountain to Cannon Rocks.
Two hiking trails begin in Cannon Rocks. The first (7 km) starts right at the western end of town at the Cannons and winds through the bush to a look-out over the coastal dunefield. It then goes back on the beach. It is advisable to wear a sun-hat and take water.
The second trail is a two-day trail that can be booked through the Addo Elephant Park offices.
Economy
Cannon Rocks is close to an area called "The Golden Mile" of dairy farming. It is a strip of land between the sea and the Woody Cape forest that is very well suited to dairy farming. This historically drove the development of the area. Recent price collusion between major milk-buying companies Clover, Parmalat and Woodlands have left the once prosperous farmers facing bleak futures, with herds reduced and many farmers opting for beef cattle.
The economy of Cannon Rocks is primarily retirement housing, holiday houses and weekend visitors. The beaches are immaculately clean and safe due to the very low number of visitors and the fact that there is approximately 100 km of untouched bush and beaches to the west. Since the pandemic started in 2020 there has been an influx of early retirement and laptop class workers who are able to work remotely and fulfill their work duties online. These include engineers, information technology, and entrepreneurs equipped with computer and internet connection.
Cannon Rocks does not have a retail outlet and residents and visitors buy basic commodities in Boknesstrand or Kenton-on-Sea. Basically the only commercial activity is the Post Office Agency and convenience shop for essential snacks and food items. Kenton-on-Sea also provides several banks and associated commercial activities. One local established restaurant and bar called Roes caters for daily meals and get togethers. The local resident artisan baker specializing in Ciabatta[8] provides fresh artisan bread weekly to locals and the surrounding area.
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