The East London Coast Nature Reserve is some 3,424ha in extent and consists of ten coastal reserves and two inland State Forests.
The coastal reserves are located between the Great Kei River in the north-east and the Tylomnqa Rivers in the south-west. The ten coastal nature reserves include (from north-east to south-west) Cape Morgan, Double Mouth, Cape Henderson, Chintsa West, Kwelera, Nahoon, Cove Rock/ Gulu, Kidd's Beach, Kayser's Beach and Chalumna. These reserves represent 57% of the 250km coastline between the two rivers.
The State Forests, Umtiza Forest and Fort Pato Forest, are located inland approximately 14km and 25km north of East London along the northern banks of the Buffalo River.
The climate for the broader incorporating East London Coastal Reserve area mild to warm and humid, tending towards sub-tropical. Most of the rainfall occurs during the spring and summer months.
Average annual temperatures range between 8°C 26°C in the Great Kei area and between 13°C 25°C in the Buffalo City area.
The spring months generally tend to be the windiest months with January to March being the calmest months. Berg winds tend to be common.
