Mazeppa Bay Hotel

Nestled in a beautiful setting of palms and tropical plants above the broad beach, Mazeppa Bay is characterized by its own island. Depending on the tide, this is sometimes only accessible by a quaint suspension bridge which joins the island to the main beach. Mazeppa derives its name from the ship, the Mazeppa. The ship was captained by a CJ Cato, on its way to Delagoa Bay from Port Natal in 1842. The Mazeppa was in search of a British man-of war to rescue the garrison, which had been besieged by the Boers. The captain steered the ship into what is now known as Mazeppa Bay for shelter and ran aground. Legend has it that its ruins are buried under the sand dunes at Mazeppa Bay.

Mazeppa Bay Hotel was taken over by its current owners in 1995. The hotel itself was in quite a state of disrepair and much love and hard work was put into the hotel to make it what it is today. Mazeppa Bay Hotel offers a choice of family or double rooms as well as two honeymoon suites. Our rates are very affordable and include three home-cooked meals per day. We also offer a seafood dinner on Saturday nights and a mini seafood dinner on Wednesday nights, with favourable rates for children. In addition a baby-sitting facility is available for parents that feel they need a break.

Hotel facilities include a tennis court, full-size snooker table, beach volley ball, table tennis, a trampoline for the children, DStv in the communal TV lounge, and two bars in which to enjoy sundowners after a long day on the beach and rocks. Mazeppa Bay has a 550 metre landing strip for light aircraft, as well as a helipad. The hotel also offers transfers to and from East London airport, which is a two-and-a-half hour drive away.

There are many attractions at Mazeppa, the main one being angling due to the steep continental shelf. Mazeppa has much appeal for the game and shark fisherman and there is always a place to find shelter and a good fishing spot when the wind is blowing. Mazeppa also has its own registered boat launch off the beach. Tackle and bait are for sale at the hotel and there are also rods and reels for hire.

The bird life at Mazeppa is quite spectacular and this can be experienced by going on one of the many walks around the hotel, the Manubi Indigenous Forest being a particular delight for bird and plant lovers alike. Other walks include the one across One Mile beach to the One Mile rocks at the end of the beach, where a patrol plane crashed during World War II while trying to make an emergency landing on the beach.

Mazeppa Bay Hotel has kept its old-style charm which keeps families coming back generation after generation, where friends are made and people have a chance to take a step back from their busy lives to really relax with their loved ones. So take your shoes off, and relax. Come and experience our little piece of paradise.