The Mcantsi is a temporarily open/closed estuary located in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa, at coordinates approximately 33°08'44"S; 27°42'11"E. It is classified as a warm temperate estuary. This classification indicates that its mouth to the Indian Ocean alternates between being open and closed by a sandbar, a critical factor for paddlers to understand. The estuary's condition has been rated as "Poor," and it is situated near Kidd's Beach on its south bank. The estuary's opening and closing dynamics directly influence water levels, current patterns, and potential access to the open sea. Paddlers must plan around the tidal state and mouth condition, as a closed mouth will result in a confined, still lagoon, while an open mouth can introduce strong tidal currents and potentially hazardous wave action at the inlet. The surrounding area includes residential and resort developments, such as the Agapantha Room on the Mcantsi River, suggesting some level of public access and infrastructure. The estuary is part of a regional system that includes the nearby Gxulu and Goda estuaries. Water quality has been a subject of monitoring, with the Mcantsi River listed in reports concerning microbiological parameters, indicating paddlers should be aware of potential water quality issues, especially after rainfall events. The aesthetic is coastal, with the beachfront setting offering views typical of the Eastern Cape shoreline.