As the warmer weather approaches, many are searching for seaside destinations for swimming, surfing or simply relaxing. The KZN South Coast’s 58 golden beaches – six of which have prominent Blue Flag status – are all open and ready for tourists.

“The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom is a well-established beach destination, and we’re happy to announce that our beaches are clean, safe and ideal for those seeking a relaxed seaside adventure,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “This time of year is extra special for beach visitors as the annual humpback whale migration is underway, and these magnificent creatures can be seen breaching across the coastline, with dolphins frolicking closer to shore!”

Besides having some of the best surf in the country, the KZN South Coast also holds the title of ‘highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN’. The internationally recognised Blue Flag programme is an eco-award given to beaches that meet strict standards of excellence in safety, cleanliness, provision of amenities, environmental information and management.

Managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and locally by the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA); Blue Flag status encourages an improved ecosystem and environmental management, providing tourists with safer, cleaner and better-managed facilities.

On the KZN South Coast, the Blue Flag beaches found in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality include:

 Marina BeachTrafalgar BeachSouthport Beach Umzumbe BeachRamsgate BeachHibberdene Beach

In addition to this, the 2021/2022 Blue Flag announcements honoured two local Blue Flag beaches – Marina and Trafalgar – for maintaining a long history of excellent care. Marina was honoured for 20 consecutive years within the programme – the only beach in South Africa to have achieved this – while Trafalgar Beach was honoured for 10 consecutive years, shared by only two other beaches in the whole country.

Visitors to the KZN South Coast’s beaches can also enjoy protected bathing in any of the 20 tidal pools found along the coast – also the highest number in KZN – with fantastic rock pools for curious young minds. Added to this, the region is home to two Marine Protected Areas, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, considered to be two of the top diving sites in the world.

To find out more about the KZN South Coast’s tourism offerings, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores; visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn; www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more!

To access previous SCTIE press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/