It’s almost time for the World Oceans Day (8 June) celebrations which will kick off the inaugural Ocean Festival, taking place in Scottburgh on the KZN South Coast from 8 to 11 June. Visitors can look forward to surfing and surfski action from the country’s top athletes, as well as a host of family-friendly activities and entertainment – all focused on ocean conservation.

“We’ve put together a really fun programme for our first-ever Ocean Festival as a way to educate and entertain the public about the need to protect our oceans,” explained Ocean Festival Founder, Russel Symcox. “This is one of the best times of year to visit the KZN South Coast, with our sunny skies and warm Indian Ocean, and we want to ensure the first year is memorable as we change the tide on ocean conservation together.”

Four times South African National Freediving Champion, ocean conservationist, filmmaker, and Guinness World Record holder, Beth Neale, said she fully supports the Ocean Festival, along with her freediving family Miles and water-baby, Neve.

“World Oceans Day is my favourite day of the year! This special day is a global reminder that our actions matter. It's a wake-up call to protect and preserve our oceans for future generations. It's about recognising that everything we do, even the smallest choices we make, has an impact on the oceans and the incredible creatures that call them home. It's a day to raise awareness, celebrate biodiversity, promote sustainable practices, foster global collaboration, and educate ourselves and others. I support the Ocean Festival because we can all come together to celebrate our oceans and the beauty and diversity of our marine life. Together, let's make waves for our oceans and create a brighter, bluer future for all.”

Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day and Research Associate at SAAMBR commented: “The Ocean Festival is a great way to raise awareness about the need to protect the ocean and the role that each of us can play in caring for the ocean. I am especially happy that the Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge will highlight the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area [MPA] to a group of ocean users who can share information about the role of MPAs in ocean conservation. I am excited that the surfski community will become ambassadors for MPAs and better protection of the ocean after this innovative race.”

Thursday, 8 June (World Oceans Day)

Beach Clean-up in partnership with SAAMBR, ORI, and Sea World – Open to all with the Scottburgh Caravan Park also joining to clean the stretch of beach with the help of caravaners and community members.

Time: 2pm to 3.30pm

Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach

World Oceans Day River Clean-up in partnership with Legends Kayaks.

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm    

Venue: Mahlongwa River

MPA Aliwal Shoal Reef Clean-up led by Scuba Co.

Venue: Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA)

Friday, 9 June

Conservation Speaker Session in partnership with SAAMBR, ORI, and Sea World featuring Maryke Musson sharing turtle research and Dr Ryan Daly on the Shark Tagging Project.

Time: 12.30pm to 2pm

Venue: Premier Resort Cutty Sark Auditorium

Ocean Festival Coastal MTB Social Ride in partnership with Renishaw Hills and Badgers Cycles.

Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Cutty Sark / Renishaw Farms

Ocean Festival Movie Night where audiences can watch the first official screening of the highly anticipated documentary, Cutting the Line. The film follows husband-and-wife team, Naude and Katja Dreyer, and their three children as they embark on a mission to rescue seals entangled in deadly plastic pollution along the Namibian coastline.

Time: 6pm to 8pm

Venue: Premier Resort Cutty Sark Auditorium

Saturday, 10 June

Yoga session by The Yoga Studio

Time: 7.30am to 8.30am

Venue: Premier Resort Cutty Sark

Cost: R150 per person  

Contact: Lauren on 072 306 8541

Cutty Sark Pro presented by SMTH Shapes sponsored by SMTH Shapes, Premier Resort Cutty Sark, Halfway Toyota, and Instinct.

Time: 7.30am to 4pm

Venue: Cutty Sark Beach

Divisions: Opens Mens and Ladies, Boys and Girls U18, Boys and Girls U14

Cost: R350 with R10 000 in prizes up for grabs!

Contact: Gill at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 083 965 4344

Keep Scottburgh Beautiful Beach Walk / Clean in partnership with Keep Scottburgh Beautiful and Halfway Toyota.

Time: 10am to 12pm

Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach

Made for More Surf Contest

Time: 12pm to 1pm

Venue: Cutty Sark Beach

Contact: Julia van Zyl on 063 455 4976

Ocean Festival Event & Live Music featuring Qadasi & Maqhinga

Hailing from the heart of Zululand, David ‘Qadasi’ Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe are a South African Music Award-winning duo on a quest to revive the powerful sounds of traditional Maskandi music.

Time: 5pm to 7pm

Venue: Premier Resort Cutty Sark

Sunday, 11 June

Cutty Sark Pro presented by SMTH Shapes sponsored by SMTH Shapes, Premier Resort Cutty Sark, Halfway Toyota, and Instinct.

Time: 7.30am to 4pm

Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach

Divisions: Opens Mens and Ladies, Boys and Girls U18, Boys and Girls U14

Cost: R350 with R10 000 in prizes up for grabs!Contact: Gill at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 083 965 4344

Leatherback Rum Surfski Challenge

Time: 8am to 1pm

Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach and Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA)

Cost: Early entry - R250, late entry – R300, on-the-day entry - R350

Contest registration: 7.30am and start at 9am

Prizegiving: 1pm with R50 000 in prizes up for grab

Divisions: Men’s, Women’s, Juniors (U18s), Vets (40+), Masters (50+).

Information: @aliwalshoalsurfski on Instagram and Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge on Facebook

Visitors can also catch local artist, Giffy Duminy, in action as he paints a mural on the bridge to Premier Resort Cutty Sark in Scottburgh, with sponsorship from Apex Environmental. In celebration of World Oceans Day and the Ocean Festival, Giffy is creating an ocean-themed mural that acknowledges the incredible marine life found at the nearby Marine Protected Area, Aliwal Shoal.

Thanks are extended to all partners involved in the Ocean Festival: South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), SMTH Shapes, Premier Resort Cutty Sark, Halfway Toyota, Instinct, Leatherback Rum, SAAMBR, Gladiator Security, Renishaw Hills, Legend Kayaks, Badgers Cycles, Keep Scottburgh Beautiful, Scuba Co., Made for More, and Feral Marine.

*Please note the programme is subject to change. Please check @theoceanfestival on Instagram and Facebook, and www.oceanfestival.co.za website for the most updated Ocean Festival programme details.