Article

17 September 2025

Isinuka Springs: The Healing Heart of Port St Johns

By: Aphilile Dolwana

The striking pink waters of Isinuka Springs in Port St. Johns, believed to have healing and detoxifying properties for the skin and body. (Photo by Aphilile Dolwana)

Hidden in the green hills of Port St. Johns, Isinuka Springs is not just a nice place to visit, it is a special place where nature, culture, and health come together. The springs are known for their mineral-rich mud caves and sulphur pools. For many years, the local Pondo and Xhosa people have used them for healing and spiritual refreshment.

The name “Isinuka” means “place of smell” because of the strong sulphur smell you notice when you arrive. People believe the springs and mud have healing powers. Each spring has different types of water and mud, each with its own benefits. The pink water is said to help with skin problems and cleaning the body. The white, black, and red mud are put on the skin to make it soft, heal rashes, and give energy. One spring called Vicks is a special place where visitors breathe in warm steam to clear blocked noses from colds or fever.

One of the natural sulphur pools at Isinuka Springs, known locally for its soothing and cleansing properties. (Photo by Aphilile Dolwana)

“It’s more than just water or mud”, says local healer Nomvula Mtya. “Each spring has a different job. When you come here, your body and spirit feel fresh again. The mud, water, and steam from Vicks work together to heal and fix you”.

Visitors often say their time at Isinuka changes them. They enjoy soaking in the warm pools, covering themselves with the healing mud, and breathing in the soft steam from Vicks. This helps to calm both body and mind. One visitor, Sibongile Dlamini, says, “When I first came, I had a rash no doctor could fix. After a week at Isinuka, my skin got better. I felt lighter and healthier, like the water and mud washed away more than just the sickness”.

Isinuka Springs is more than a place for health, it is part of the local culture. Local guides and healers take care of the springs. They explain the stories and traditions behind each spring and how to use the mud and water. There are also efforts to protect the plants and animals around the springs. Tourism here is small but growing, helping local guides, artists, and businesses. Visitors learn about a culture that lives in balance with nature and community.

If you want to see beautiful nature, learn about local culture, and experience traditional healing, Isinuka Springs is a place to remember. It is where the hills of the Eastern Cape meet ancient knowledge, leaving visitors feeling fresh, inspired, and connected to the land and its people.