The winter holidays have arrived, and while that might mean keeping warm indoors elsewhere, it’s time for fun in the sun on the sunny KZN South Coast! The Sardine Winter Festival is bringing beach and hinterland family fun until 16 July, with the Sardine Run still in action, and a number of great events on the cards – it’s time to uncover all the holiday fun in the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom.

“The calm, sunny, winter weather of the KZN South Coast makes this the ideal holiday location, particularly in the winter months,” explained Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “We’re fortunate to have had a bumper Sardine Run season with visitors catching glimpses of the dolphins, sharks, and sea birds chasing the silver shoals. Sightings of this and the whale migration have been made from our many Blue Flag beaches and whale-watching decks, with close-up experiences with marine life diving at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, or snorkelling from charter boats. The Sardine Winter Festival provides family fun in our beautiful outdoor spaces, free of charge, and we’re also excited to announce the launch of our Beach-to-Beach Adventure Hike for those seeking adventure.”

The Sardine Winter Festival

Dates: 16 June to 16 July

Times: 10am to 2pm daily

Venues: Changing daily between Hibberdene Main Beach, Wild Coast Sun Water Park, St Michael’s Main Beach, Ramsgate Main Beach, Margate Main Beach, Scottburgh Main Beach, Wild Coast Sun Main Beach.

Description: Outdoor games, competitions, and fun organised by One Way Productions.

Contact: 078 988 5575 or follow @infosouthcoast on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out what’s happening where.

Crocworld Conservation Centre Holiday Programme

Dates: 23 June to 19 July

Times: 10am is the reptile demonstration and interaction; 11am and 3pm is the Nile Crocodile feeding and juvenile crocodile interactions; and 2pm is Feeding of Marabou Storks (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) and Cape Vultures (Tue, Thurs, Sat).

Venue: Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh

Contact: www.crocworld.co.za or 039 976 1103

Night Market at Serenity Hills

Date: Friday, 30 June

Times: 6pm to 10pm

Venue: Serenity Hills, The Packshed in Margate

Description: Almost 50 local vendors selling high-quality food and crafts. A beautiful space to enjoy a meal and drinks with live music. Little ones are kept engaged with a number of activities.

Contact: www.thepackshed.co.za

Zippie's Adventure Club

Date: Saturday, 1 July

Venue: Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge

Description: This is an edutaining adventure for youngsters who will get to learn more about the plants of southern KZN.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 039 687 0395

Educational Kids Hiking by Monate Outdoor Activities

Date: Saturday, 8 July

Venue: Umzumbe River Trail

Ages: 8 to 16 years

Description: Guided hike along 6km Umzumbe River Trail including transport and meal.

Cost: R450pp

Contact: 073 356 6936 or 073 092 9818

SCTIE’s Sardine Run Tour Package

Description: This is a comprehensive three-day tour package that includes diving, fishing, surfing, ocean safaris, helicopter or microlight flips, as well as hinterland experiences.

Contact: Check ‘Tour Packages’ at www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za

SCTIE’s Beach-to-Beach Adventure Hike

Venue: From Port Edward Beach to St Michael’s Beach

Description: This is a 38km guided hike that takes visitors along some of the area’s Blue Flag beaches, across estuaries and through coastal forests, with sightings of local wildlife and historic shipwrecks.

Contact: www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za

Keep updated on all KZN South Coast events by downloading the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores, visiting the website, checking out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more! Don’t miss out on any KZN South Coast action following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Follow the hashtags #greatestshoalonearth #sardinerun #sardinerun2023 #kznsouthcoast #extendyourstay #seakznsouthcoast