Morgan Bay began as a small coastal settlement in the late 1800s, growing around farming, fishing, and tourism. Its dramatic scenery, safe swimming beach, and proximity to the Great Kei River quickly made it a popular holiday destination. The famous pont crossing at the Kei River, one of the last remaining vehicle ferries in South Africa, helped connect travellers to the rugged Wild Coast beyond.

For thousands of years before the arrival of settlers, these lands and shores were home to the amaXhosa people, whose rich cultural heritage remains an important part of the area’s identity today.