Words: Anne Schauffer | Images: Umzimkulu Marina, Ugu South Coast Tourism & Wild 5 Adventures
The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast offers a superb lifestyle, with seaside town residents enjoying the warm Indian Ocean, the opportunities presented by the seasonal influx of tourists, the natural beauty of the area and affordability not found on any other coastline.
If you head south from Durban on the N2 or travel along the little old coast road, you find a smaller or bigger town every few kilometres or so, each with its own personality, identity and residential and tourist attributes. For many, the South Coast is the holiday-maker’s best-kept secret.
The northern-most South Coast town is Amanzimtoti, part of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, but from Scottburgh to Mtwalume, you’re in Umdoni or Ugu (translated as “the edge of the great water”) country. Then the so-called Hibiscus Coast stretches from Hibberdene through Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Margate and Southbroom to Port Edward on the Eastern Cape border.
Holiday homes and accommodation
This coastline has long been popular with retirees, with stylish new mature lifestyle residential developments like Renishaw Hills near Scottburgh accommodating this demand. The retiree label largely comes from decades of holiday-makers from landlocked provinces choosing to retire where the weather is good and where they can spend their days fishing, playing golf and enjoying the beach lifestyle. Property in the South Coast is considerably more affordable than in other areas and, in many instances, the towns are much quieter (particularly out of season). Certain South Coast towns, like Margate, are dominated by holiday-makers in season, while others are more residential.
Guesthouses, B&Bs and camping and caravanning resorts abound, particularly around areas with Blue Flag beaches, spectacular views and natural surroundings. It’s a wonderful, affordable destination.
The area includes apartment blocks, townhouse complexes, palatial freestanding homes and a wide variety of holiday accommodation. With the bounty offered by the warm Indian Ocean, the lifestyle is prized.
Sally Caper has enjoyed many holidays on the South Coast with her husband, John, and their two dogs. “Last year, we sold a vast home in Gauteng and moved into a complex for over-50s here. John fishes, I play golf and, at sundown, we walk on the beach with the dogs or enjoy a sundowner with a sea view that’s beyond belief. And our kids now holiday with us two or three times a year. It’s not often that reality surpasses a dream.”
Explore
This coastline has numerous sea and land-based natural attractions. The warm Indian Ocean makes it a holiday-maker’s dream. For scuba divers, there’s Aliwal Shoal, a dive site which is part of an ancient reef complex, as well as Protea Banks, off Shelly Beach – both are internationally ranked dive (and shark dive) sites.
This coastline is perfect for spotting dolphins and whales. If you’re in the area in winter, you can witness the spectacular sardine run where millions of sardines migrate along the coast in a feeding frenzy trailed by dolphins, sharks, birds and fishermen.
With hiking and mountain biking paths, picnic spots and a variety of birds and animals, the South Coast offers ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. There are great nature trails, wetlands and forests inside and outside nature reserves such as Oribi Gorge, inland from Southport, and Vernon Crooks Nature Reserve near Umzinto. Oribi Gorge is also renowned for extreme sporting options such as bungee jumping.
Resident Jenny Clarke spends a great deal of time hiking and bird-watching in the area. “When it comes to my two passions, the South Coast is really a gem. There are so many opportunities to get out there and enjoy nature.” With 300 to 400 species in the different eco-zones, bird-watchers love the South Coast. TC Robertson Nature Reserve alongside the Mpambanyoni River is a well-run wetland area, with a wide variety of birds and a few bird hides. Southbroom has the Frederika Nature Preserve, a tropical enclave between the Mbizane and Kaba rivers, and the Mpenjati Nature Reserve has guides who can take visitors along the beach at low tide to see the protected marine fossils. Visitors also enjoy visiting the Red Desert, one of the smallest deserts in the world, which looks like the red sands of Mars.
There are also unusual flowers, shipwrecks and coves on walks along the Hibiscus Coast. On the rocks of Glenmore Beach, parts of the 1933 wreck of the Nightingale are still visible. South Coast towns like Pennington are some of the best places for on -shore and deep-sea fishing. Pennington is also a renowned surf spot – one of many along the South Coast.
With a number of superb 18-hole golf courses, the South Coast is also known locally and internationally as the “Golf Coast”. Southbroom has the widely respected San Lameer and Southbroom Golf clubs, while Pennington has Umdoni Park Golf Club. Further south there’s the Wild Coast Sun Country Club and many others. On some courses, you can also find great accommodation to rent on the golf estate or nearby.
Do:
- Explore the many beautiful beaches.
- Go for a coffee tour of Beaver Creek coffee farm.
- Take the family to the Wild Waves Water Park at the Wild Coast Sun.
- Enjoy game viewing, hiking, mountain biking and zip-lining.
- Play a few rounds at one of the choice golf courses in the area.
- Get your adrenaline pumping at Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve with Wild 5 Adventures.
- Discover the South Coast Birding Route.
- Go swimming, surfing, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling.
Sleep:
- The Gorge Private Game Lodge and Spa, Oribi Gorge
- Desroches Hotel, Margate
- Rock Shandy Beach House and Stone Cottage, Marina Beach
- Coral Tree Colony, Southbroom
- Umkomazi Rocks Beach House, Widenham
- Highrocks Beach House, Widenham
- St Helier Cottage, Umkomaas
- Pumula Beach Hotel, Umzumbe
- Clansthal Beach House, Clansthal
- Umbhobe Beach House, Pennington
- Selborne Villas, Pennington
- Botha House, Pennington
Eat:
- The Fish Eagle Restaurant, Port Edward: rated as one of the top five restaurants on the South Coast
- The Waffle House, Margate: for hearty breakfasts and sea views
- Enzo Pizzeria Trattoria, Scottburgh: for authentic Italian cuisine
- Giorgio’s at the View Boutique Hotel, Amanzimtoti: for fusion-style cooking with Italian flair
- Burlesque Cafe, Ramsgate: for home-style, rustic dishes
- Casa Toscana, Trafalgar (reopens 14 March): for a wonderful balance of traditional Italian and a touch of elegant fine dining
- The Cellar Boutique Restaurant, Port Shepstone: for an intimate dining experience
- Stephward Estate Country House, Uvongo: for fine dining in a romantic and relaxed atmosphere
