Sizzling Summer plans along the Sapphire Coast this December
Sapphire Coast Tourism (SCT) welcomes holidaymakers with fun-packed holiday programme, overflowing with great activities for all ages, from Tuesday, 18 December to Saturday, 5 January.
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A SIZZLING Sapphire Coast Summer is what residents and holidaymakers of the Upper South Coast are in for this festive season.
Sapphire Coast Tourism (SCT) welcomes holidaymakers with fun-packed holiday programme, overflowing with great activities for all ages, from Tuesday, 18 December to Saturday, 5 January.
The warm, sandy beaches, inviting sub-tropical climate and unending natural beauty make KwaZulu-Natal’s Sapphire Coast one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations year-round.
SCT chairman, Romy Wenzel explained the Sapphire Coast embraces its position as a prime holiday destination and the tourism team looks forward to sharing the area’s warmth and beauty with visitors.
“The holiday events’ programme has been carefully planned, promising a diverse line-up that caters to all interests,” she said.
“In line with this year’s Durban Solid Waste (DSW) campaign, ‘#No Litter on My Beach’, Sapphire Coast Tourism has themed the 2018/2019 holiday season ‘Go green – Keep our Sapphire Coast Clean’.
While we want every person visiting the Sapphire Coast this holiday to have a truly memorable experience, we ask that they are environmentally responsible, leaving nothing behind but their footprints.”
Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme (Sapphire Coast Tourism in conjunction with local companies and non-profit organisations):
• Amanzimtoti Beach, Pipeline Beach and Winklespruit Beach on the Upper South Coast will all play host to the holiday programme with DJs entertaining crowds daily at the three locations from 9am.
• Guided nature walks
On Wednesday, 19 December at Amanzimtoti Bird Park at 6:30am, and Saturday, 29 December at Burchell’s Coucal Eco-Trail at 6am.
• Dive presentation
On Thursday, 20 December and Friday, 4 January at 10am, beachgoers will learn how to blow bubbles with the Aliwal Shoal Scuba crew at Inyoni Rocks Pool, Amanzimtoti Main Beach.
• Meet Father Christmas
A special guest will surprise beachgoers on Monday, 24 December at Pipeline Beach, Amanzimtoti Main Beach and Winklespruit Beach.
• Ten-pin bowling
On 18, 21, 22, 28 and 29 December, the Funland and Dolphin Bowl crew will entertain young and old with a mobile ten-pin line at Amanzimtoti Main Beach. There are loads of fun giveaways to be had.
• MTN Summer Campaign
On Sunday and Monday, 30 and 31 December from 10am to 5pm, MTN will host outdoor activations with music and prize-giving. This will include a gig rig truck with sound and on-stage screens.
• Stranddiens
There will be ongoing beach entertainment at Amanzimtoti Main Beach from 9am to 2pm daily. The daily programme includes a puppet show, fun for children, including musical chairs, treasure hunt, hula hoops, face-painting, beach games, including water balloons, flagging, egg throwing, obstacle race, soccer, baseball, cricket and tug-of-war, sport competitions in volleyball, touch rugby and basketball, talent competitions, including Miss Bikini and eating contests, and family fun, including water Olympics, sandcastle building, juksei and golf chipping.
• Christmas parkrun
On Saturdays at 8am the Amanzimtoti parkrun, an organised, free, weekly, timed 5km run and walk takes place on the beachfront. Join the Christmas parkrun on 25 December at 8am.
• Clean Surf Project (CSP) presentation
On Tuesday, 18 December at 10am at Amanzimtoti Main Beach, CSP educates the public about the harmful effects of plastic consumption and disposal on the ocean. The team has planned a fun presentation involving games and challenges – including its famous scavenger hunt – to create awareness about plastic in the environment.
• Lighting of Christmas tree
The amphitheatre at the end of the promenade, next to Amanzimtoti Lagoon will be switched on at a date and time yet to be confirmed.
• Lifeguard presentations
eThekwini lifeguards will demonstrate CPR and boat rescues at Amanzimtoti Main Beach during the holidays, to ensure the safety of all beachgoers during this time.
• DSW litter awareness
DSW mascot ‘Nono’ will provide educational awareness on Thursday, 20 December and Thursday, 3 January.
SCT thanks the sponsors involved in the Sapphire Summer Sizzling programme which include: Aliwal Dive Centre, KFC, Gary’s Horses, 305 Guest House, Thirsty Whale, Clear Waters Spur Amanzimtoti, Splash Waterworld, Funland/Dolphin Bowl, Valentino’s, Giselle’s Coffee Shop, Lords and Legends, Tiago’s, Debonairs and Pick n Pay Galleria. The holiday programme will be in recess on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.
Other holiday activities in the area include:
• 15 December from 6.30pm to 9.30pm: Christmas Lights 2018 at Remax Toti, 14 Lewis Drive, Amanzimtoti.
• 16 December at 8am: Winkle-Toti-Winkle Sea and Sand Marathon.
• 16 December from 2pm to 9pm: Christmas Market at Sweetwaters Church, Winklespruit.
• 16 December at Mnini Dam: Mnini Dam Extravaganza.
• 23 December (early evening): Christmas Carols at Winklespruit Beach.
For more on the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za, SCT’s Facebook page or https://www.facebook.com/totitourism/.
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