Halfway between Durban and Kosi Bay and with one of South Africa’s largest harbours, Richards Bay lies on the 30km2 lagoon of the Mhlathuze River. Its port transformed the town from a small fishing village into a dynamic industrial city. Richards Bay has one of the largest coal export terminals in the world, and easy access to the N2. It’s becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination, especially for visitors from Gauteng.
What does Richards Bay have to offer?
- An easy drive from Gauteng
- Year-round summer climate
- Warm ocean
Beautiful scenery
Many leisure offerings.
You’ll find some of the most spectacular wetland scenery and unspoilt beaches on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast here, with an abundance of birdlife in its sandbanks, mudflats, extensive mangroves, freshwater pans and forest areas. There are also tours of industrial plants, mines and other operations for business and leisure visitors, and the popular Tuzi Gazi Waterfront.
Locals enjoy the laidback atmosphere, and although property prices have increased about 8% over the last five years, there are still good investment opportunities close to good schools, shops and the CBD. The oldest part of town is the highest-priced residential suburb in Richards Bay: Meerensee.
And the future of this city? The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone is bringin new industry, and there are plans for a new dry dock facility, a new container terminal and a liquefied petroleum gas terminal.
Our favourite foodie spots:
- Family-friendly food at Portuguese on the Bay
- Coffee and cakes at Elephant and I Restaurant and Coffee Shop
- Delicious food at Imvubu Lodge
- The best steaks at Porky’s Seafood and Steakhouse
- Asian-fusion delights at Nam Jai House
Our favourite local activities:
- Visit the Blue Flag Alkantstrand Beach.
- Bike or hike on any of the many trails.
- Shop up a storm at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre.
- Take part in water sports at Tuzi Gazi Waterfront.
- Golf at the Richards Bay Country Club
Our favourite places to stay:
- Protea Hotel Waterfront Richards Bay
- Mzingazi Waterfront Village
- Premier Hotel The Richards
- Imvubu Lodge
- Aristo Manor
- The Ridge Guesthouse
The best local schools:
- Grantleigh Schools
- Richards Bay Christian School
- Felixton College
- BirdsView Academy
- Richards Bay Primary School
- Veldenvlei Primary School
- Arboretum Primary
- Richards Bay High School
- John Ross College
- Umfolozi TVET College
- University of Zululand
Resident’s view:
“We love the lifestyle that coastal living offers. Richards Bay is big enough to cater for all our needs and small enough to not have big city issues like traffic congestion.”
Elaine Chetty, resident
