The South Coast Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom

The South Coast, stretching from Scottburgh in the North to Port Edward in the South and inland as far as Harding, offers numerous unspoilt beaches, lush forests, adventure tourism, golf courses and traditional African culture.

The South Coast is an exciting adventure zone thanks to ample natural resources and plenty of open spaces. The sea is the main playground for adventure seekers with world-class scuba diving, surfing, fishing and sea kayaking.

Ideal for kite surfing, the Coast offers long, wide beaches and stiff breezes, attracting kite surfers from all over the country. The beaches are ideal for launching and the summer winds allow for high speeds.

Surfing at the South Coast is in a league of its own where the warm water, favourable offshore winds and lack of crowds make for ideal riding conditions. In summer, waves are generally between two and four feet high, but in winter the swell can jump to the six to eight foot bracket. Green Point, near Clansthal, is one of the most outstanding points on the coast and surfers flock to ride the waves that break for several hundred metres across the bay.

South Africa is the first country outside Europe to be awarded Blue Flag beach status for its excellent standard of beach management and for providing clean and safe beaches. Needless to say, the South Coast offers five blue flag beaches to choose from and together they offer a combination of everything you could desire for your coastal holiday.

Trafalgar beach, close to San Lameer, is a rare gem that incorporates two kilometres of shoreline and reaches 500 metres out to sea. The area has been declared a marine reserve and contains rich and valuable fossil beds estimated to be about 90 million years old. The combination of rock pools and reefs makes it a beautiful snorkelling experience.

The possibilities for deep sea and shore fishing are numerous. Opportunities are best taken at first light and within an hour fishermen are reeling in Stumpies, Rock Cod, Salmon and Tuna, to name a few. The area also boasts sport fishing for larger game fish and many prize-winning trophies are caught in these waters. Fishing off one-man skis is rapidly gaining popularity. The specifically adapted skis can launch just about anywhere and come with handy little watertight compartments for stowing fishing tackle and fish.

Excitement mounts on the South Coast every year in anticipation of the eco-phenomenal Sardine Run. During June and July millions of shimmering silver sardines migrate northwards from the oceans off the Cape, all the way up the waters of KwaZulu-Natal, as far as Durban. When the fish venture close enough to shore as they move en masse, they beach or are netted by the seine fishermen. It is then that the frenzy begins as the hoards of coast dwellers rally to watch the spectacle. Dolphins and whales also accompany the moving feast, providing thrilling viewing from the shore or from chartered boats. An added bonus for visitors is the multitude of birds that follow the tide of fish, revelling in the banquet set before them.

Besides the Cape Gannets and other feathered visitors that add spectacle to the Sardine Run, the South Coast has an abundance of indigenous birds, which frequent the estuaries, rivers, natural forests and seashores. This makes the area a magnificent and rewarding paradise for bird watchers.

Adventure activities available on land are equally enticing. Oribi Gorge, just inland from Port Shepstone, is an adventure hotspot with a massive gorge swing, abseil and foofy slide. The area also lends itself to whitewater rafting, horse riding, 4X4 trails and hiking trails. A number of operators offer horse trails through the coastal bush or along the beaches, including overnight trips along the Eastern Cape Wild Coast.

The South Coast is one of the golfing circuit’s best kept secrets and offers superb courses set in a subtropical paradise against a backdrop of the Indian Ocean. There are nine eighteen-hole courses and two nine-hole courses – all within easy reach.

The South Coast has also become a popular destination for bowls players and the area is frequently used for major bowls tournaments taking place during the annual Sardine Run.

Considering all the action found on the South Coast, a sleepover is definitely in order. Nolangeni Lodge in St Michaels-on-Sea offers laid-back elegance on the beachfront for those wanting to absorb the South Coast from a pool deck. The lodge boasts panoramic views of the ocean, lagoon and St Michaels-on-Sea beach, accompanied by bright cocktails and sumptuous meals. If you are looking to be pampered, the lodge also offers aromatherapy, reflexology and Swedish massages.

Possibly the most alluring trait of the South Coast is its all-round good weather. But with all the possibilities the area has to offer, even if the weather does take a turn for the worse, there are still more than enough reasons to pack your bags and head south.