From the warm East Coast (stretching north of Durban down to East London in the Eastern Cape) to the cold Benguela stream around Cape Town and the West Coast, you are guaranteed to find scenic beauty, lovely beaches, dolphins playing, lots of world class and luxury accommodation, restaurants, social activities, peace and quiet, etc.
The coastline is dotted with some hidden gems of towns and resorts which continue to live up to earned glowing reputations. Cape Town in Western Cape, Durban in Kwazulu-Natal and Port Elizabeth in Eastern Cape are all surrounded by these seaside towns which are worth exposing.
Cape Town
The list of top and luxurious tourism destinations in South Africa can’t be complete without mentioning Cape Town. It is the place where majestic mountains meet the wild, open seas roaring with clean and breath-taking sandy beaches, a place of rolling green valleys and vast, untouched plains and busy harbour and boats heading for Robben Island and various sea trips and destinations. Cape Town is simply stunning, but the city doesn’t thrive by its looks alone. The local people have made Cape Town a city with distinction because of its clean environment, world class luxury accommodation, active social and nightlife and mouth-watering cuisine.
Which attractive seaside locations are worth knowing and visiting in and around Cape Town?
Pringle Bay
The charming coastal village of Pringle Bay is just 85km outside of Cape Town, located on the famous Whale Route. The pristine white beach is definitely a calling card. The village itself is surrounded by mountains, overlooks the ocean and is part of the World Biosphere Reserve. This means you will find few other areas as naturally beautiful and free of expansive development. The village has eight restaurants to choose from and plenty of activities on offer, including water sports, hiking trails, a vibrant penguin colony and more.
Hermanus
Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town. Situated between a mountain and sea, this is a stunning destination which has become one of the best whale-watching spots for anyone visiting South Africa.
Hermanus has something for everyone. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is perfect for moderate to strenuous walks in the beautiful mountains which form an imposing backdrop to the town. The pristine stretches of beach offers daytime fun and boating activities. Enjoy world renowned wines on the Hermanus Wine Route, the southernmost in Africa, or shop for jewellery and crafts at the popular Craft Market at Lemm’s Corner. When it comes to accommodation in Hermanus, you can be sure to find luxury accommodation ranging from hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments that fit your budget.
Arniston
For those seeking a relaxed holiday away from the commotion and stress of city life, Arniston is the place to be, only an azure sea, cobalt sky and peace and quiet. Activities in Arniston include angling, swimming, hiking, whale watching. Be sure to also take some time to explore Kassiesbaai, a 200-year-old fishing village, which is a national heritage site. Characterised by unassuming white thatch cottages, this is where you can experience the customs of the locals, as many who live here still make a living from the sea.
Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas is the geographic southernmost tip of Africa. It is located 169 kilometres southeast of Cape Town, and is the official dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Cape Agulhas is a popular destination for fishing, camping and whale-watching in season, where you can relax, unwind and get into the full holiday spirit. With majestic beaches stretching across kilometres of uninterrupted coastline, resort accommodation near Struisbaai and L’Agulhas offer you prime location on the southernmost sandy beach in Africa.
Durban
Durban (eThekwini in Zulu) is South Africa’s third largest city and one of its leading vacation destinations, with many top attractions. It’s also a haven for surfers. Long beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, a mild subtropical climate and excellent infrastructure lure tourists in their millions. Durban also offers unparalleled cultural tourism which attracts many to learn about the Zulu kingdom and rich Indian heritage in this city.
In Durban, you can attractions such as the Inanda Heritage Trail, Golden Mile, Umgeni River Bird Park, Sun Coast Casino and Entertainment World and Moses Mabhida Stadium. Visiting these sites will definitely leave you with memories to last you a lifetime.
All these attractions in Durban are in close proximity to luxury and affordable hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments.
KwaZulu-Natal has a number of attractive seaside locations worth knowing and visiting. These include:
Amanzimtoti
Amanzimtoti is a coastal town just south of Durban. The town is well known for its warm climate and numerous beaches, and is a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers, and the annual sardine run attracts many to the beaches in Toti, as it is affectionately called by the locals.
Amanzimtoti is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including Cape clawless otters, blue duiker and spotted ground-thrush. Vervet monkeys are common and can be seen throughout the suburban parts of the town and in the nature reserves. Fine dining restaurants, safe and secure beaches with plenty of activities, affordable accommodation as well as the warm hospitality of the locals makes Amanzimtoti a tourism jewel.
Ballito
Ballito is about 40 kilometres north of Durban. This small serene resort town enjoys a reputation for its warm sub-tropical east coast climate. Dolphins are common on this stretch of the North Coast shoreline, hence the nickname Dolphin Coast. Ballito, the heart of the Dolphin Coast lies nestled between rippling fields of KwaZulu-Natal’s famous Green Gold and is flanked to the east by golden beaches with trending events & activities, food, businesses, shopping & services. In Ballito, you are guaranteed luxury accommodation with no reservation costs and at great rates.
Margate
Margate is a seaside resort town on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. The warm Indian Ocean flows across this coastline, providing it with an abundance of tropical fish and coral reefs. Vast shoals of game fish and large groups of sharks can be found around diving sites such as Protea Banks. Scuba diving, snorkelling and diving is a must in Margate.
Margate has immaculate beaches, including a blue flag beach, with warm waters, plenty of sunshine and an endless-summer vibe. If you’re an avid fisherman, surfer or just someone that loves glorious beaches, coastal forests, magnificent coral reefs and endless sunny days, then the South coast is the place for you.
If you’re planning a vacation to Margate, we recommend booking your accommodation early.
Umhlanga
Umhlanga which means ‘place of reeds’ in Zulu is an affluent residential, commercial and resort town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Here you can explore the beautiful coastline or head to the ocean for deep-sea fishing, whale and dolphin watching, scuba diving and surfing. As the sun begins to set, take a beachfront walk on the iconic beachfront promenade. In Umhlanga, you can spend your day on one of the sun-kissed beaches and then dress up and spend the evening at one of the town’s popular eating spots. Why not end off the perfect day in Umhlanga by taking the opportunity to enjoy a night or more at a luxury hotel, guest house, B&B.
Beyond the beaches, Umhlanga is all about shopping and entertainment. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping has over 400 stores and 70 eateries. This giant mall is one of the best shopping experiences on the continent from high-end fashion to independent boutiques.
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth or Nelson Mandela Bay often known by its initials PE and colloquially as “The Friendly City” or “The Windy City”, is a major seaport city. PE boasts spectacular beaches and is a superb value-for-money holiday base. Port Elizabeth is not only home to stunning beaches, interesting museums and award-winning wildlife destinations, but also some of the friendliest people in the country. The city is an outdoor lover’s paradise, so don’t miss out on boat cruises, scuba diving, and a visit to the Seaview Predator Park. Port Elizabeth has earned its tourism reputation by developing luxury and world class hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments.
PE is surrounded by attractive seaside locations worth knowing and visiting. These include:
Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a relatively small town of about 20,000 inhabitants which attracts many tourists and holiday makers. During the summer season the Kowie River hums to the sounds of small boats filled with families riding up the river to enjoy water-skiing, wake-boarding or just a pleasant cruise. Port Alfred also offers visitors access to a dive school and a number of boats offering deep-sea fishing charters.
For walking, surfing or sand-boarding the best beach is East Beach with its amazing waves and huge sand dunes.
Port Alfred offers many guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments. Self-catering is an especially easy option with plenty of local amenities and stores.
Kenton-on-Sea
Just 25km further down the R72 from Port Alfred, is a pretty seaside town called Kenton-on-Sea. Kenton is bordered by two rivers – the Kariega River and Bushman’s River. Between the Bushman’s River mouth and Middle Beach is where the popular Carriage rock is located, the perfect backdrop for some amazing photos.
The beaches at Kenton-on-Sea are a mix of wonderful sheltered bays and long sandy beaches. The beach at Shelly Bay is one of the many great family spots with rocks around the bay that almost form an amphitheatre and create a perfect windbreak for those occasional windy days.
The whole family can enjoy hiring canoes and taking a trip up the Bushman’s River. The town is in close proximity to both the Kariega Game Reserve and Sibuya Game Reserve where visitors have the opportunity to experience seeing the Big 5. With many guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering establishments, you don’t need to worry about accommodation options in Kenton-on-Sea
East London
East London is a picturesque port city in the Amatola region of the Eastern Cape. This small resort town sits as the gateway to South Africa’s spectacular Wild Coast on the estuary of the Buffalo River which flows into the Indian Ocean. The beaches here are some of the finest in the world and a few, like Nahoon Reef, are a surfer’s paradise and host to international surfing competitions. The beach, vibrant nightlife, local cuisine and cultural activities all add to the natural beauty of this town, while holiday accommodation is easy to find at the many options East London has to offer.
Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay, or “J–Bay” as it is known to the locals, brings to mind surfing, sunshine and beautiful beaches situated about 75 km southwest of Port Elizabeth. Doesn’t matter what the size of your budget is, there are a vast variety of amazing places to visit and things you can do. This includes adventures, day tours, sandboarding, surf lessons, kayaking, kloofing, hiking, paintball, horse riding, waterpark and much more. When it comes to accommodation, Jeffreys Bay offers top of the range hotels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering establishments.
While the list of seaside destinations is not conclusive, it’s clear to see that you are not short of options when it comes to choosing your next travel destination. You can count on Afristay to be your reliable travel partner as you plan, choose and book your destinations and accommodation.
