The South Coast is a special, diverse region – situated on the southern coast of KZN, South Africa – that offers glorious outdoor experiences, charming holiday towns and beautiful beaches for visitors and locals to enjoy.
It’s no surprise to learn that the South Coast also offers plenty of local attractions, outdoor adventure and of course, family-friendly fun for all to soak up.
Here, in no particular order, are the top ten things to do in and around the South Coast:
#1 Make a Splash at Wild Waves Water Park
Home to some of the best slides around, Wild Waves Water Park, situated at the family-friendly Wild Coast Sun resort in Port Edward, is an unmissable attraction for anyone in and around the South Coast.
With a range of exciting slides, like the Superbowl, Boomerango and so many more, this water-based attraction park is a thrill for families to enjoy.
Best of all, there is also a designated kiddies’ area to ensure that everyone (parents included) can have fun and relax at Wild Waves Water Park.
Please contact Wild Waves Water Park directly for prices and other information.
Contact: +27 (039) 305 2701/2801/2803, wildcoastmvg@suninternational.com
Website: www.suninternational.com/wild-coast-sun/activities/wild-waves-water-park/
Address: Wild Waves Water Park, Wild Coast Sun, Main Bizana Road, Port Edward, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#2 Explore Lake Eland Game Reserve
Located some 40 minutes outside of Port Shepstone, one encounters the amazing Lake Eland Game Reserve – the ultimate Oribi Gorge getaway for all to enjoy.
Here, amid the tranquility and natural landscapes, guests can enjoy a host of incredible activities, everything from self-drive game drives, wild life spotting, a fun zipline tour (adults only), horse rides, scooter tours, single track mountain bike trails, paintball, fishing and much more.
There is also a great restaurant, complete with a licenced bar and children’s play facility for guests to enjoy… Their famous gourmet burgers are not to be missed!
Please contact Lake Eland Game Reserve directly for prices, gate opening times and other information.
Contact: +27 (039) 001 1010, (083) 257 9468, reservations@lakeeland.co.za
Website: www.lakeeland.co.za
Address: Lake Eland Game Reserve, Oribi Gorge, Port Shepstone, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#3 Spend a While with a Crocodile at Riverbend Crocodile Farm
For those looking to enjoy a more unique experience, Riverbend Crocodile Farm is the perfect place to go.
Here, at this popular croc farm in Southboom, guests can enjoy being entertained and educated on crocodiles.
Highlights include watching crocodile feedings, seeing the other residents (some 19 snake species), enjoying the weekly snake demonstration and much more.
Once you have worked up an appetite, grab a nice meal at the Crocodile Café, which is loved for its breakfasts, light lunches and afternoon teas. There is also a good playground here for kids to enjoy.
Please contact Riverbend Crocodile Farm directly for prices and other information.
Contact: +27 (039) 316 6204, info@crocodilecrazy.co.za
Website: www.crocodilecrazy.co.za
Address: Riverbend Crocodile Farm, Old National Road, Southboom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#4 Swim with Sharks at Aqua Planet Dive Centre
At Aqua Planet Dive Centre, visitors can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with sharks.
The dive centre, located in Shelly Beach, offers PADI scuba diving courses for everyone from beginners to pros, as well as some specialty courses too.
Once you are trained up and ready to dive, you will head to Protea Banks, a unique local reef system. Here, you can swim among a range of different shark species – everything from Bull sharks to Hammerheads. As a bonus, dolphins and whales (during whale season) are also regularly sighted!
So suit up – and get ready to swim with the sharks!
Please contact Aqua Planet Dive Centre directly for prices, available courses/training and other information.
Contact: +27 (082) 877 3966, info@aquaplanet.co.za
Website: www.aquaplanet.co.za
Address: Aqua Planet Dive Centre, The Emporium (Shop 3), corner of Marine Drive and Kings Road, Shelly Beach, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#5 Enjoy Craft Beer at Basset Breweries
For anyone seeking quality craft beer in KZN, look no further than the popular Basset Breweries. Here, in picturesque Pennington, guests will find an exciting new taproom, called the The Doghouse Craft Cafe, where they can enjoy great beers.
When visiting, why not also book one of the brewery tours? You will learn all about the process of beer making, as you watch each step of the process – from the raw malted barley and hops to the delicious end-result foaming in your chilled glass…
Other on-site facilities and attractions include a fully licenced bar (featuring Basset Brews, specialty gin, wines and cocktails too), a great children’s play area, a pet-friendly beer garden (pets must be leashed) and nature trails that take you past two bass dams and through the beautiful Yellowwood Private Nature Reserve.
Please contact Basset Breweries directly for prices, hosting functions and other information.
Contact: +27 (083) 778 8988, beer@bassetbreweries.co.za, bassetbrew@gmail.com
Website: www.bassetbreweries.co.za
Address: Basset Breweries, Yellowwood Farm, R102, Old South Coast Road, Pennington, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#6 Visit Bellevue Eco Park with the Kids
Situated at Bellevue Guest Lodge in Ramsgate, Bellevue Eco Park is an excellent park home to some 200 species of indigenous trees and plants, natural wildlife (everything from birds to frogs and even dassies), an obstacle course, play facilities for kiddies and much more.
Here, young and old can enjoy endless hours of fun in the sun, while also educating themselves on nature and its conservation. Best of all, the park is wheel-chair and pram-friendly, so everyone can enjoy it safely.
Highlights ideally suited to children include the sensory play area, sand pit, slide, swings and roundabout and more.
Please contact Bellevue Guest Lodge and Eco Park directly for prices, hosting functions and other information.
Contact: +27 (039) 316 6097, (073) 775 2861, bellevue@telkomsa.net
Website: bellevuekzn.co.za
Address: Bellevue Guest Lodge & Eco Park, Old Main Road, Ramsgate, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#7 MTB at Clearwater Trails
Found on the pretty Clearwater Farm, Clearwater Trails is one of the best places in the South Coast to enjoy thrilling MTB rides.
Here, guests can enjoy a range of multi-purpose tracks, suitable for mountain biking, running and trail walks alike.
In addition to their well-maintained tracks and trails, Clearwater Trails also offers a lovely café, restrooms, secure parking and more for guests to utilise and enjoy.
Please contact Clearwater Trails directly for prices, trail details and other information.
Contact: +27 (083) 549 6710, info@clearwatertrails.co.za
Website: www.clearwatertrails.co.za
Address: Clearwater Trails, Clearwater Farm, Izingolweni Road, Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#8 Head to the Magical Butterfly Valley
Another excellent, family-friendly attraction in the beautiful South Coast is the magical Butterfly Valley.
This amazing butterfly farm in Ramsgate breeds its own incredible array of butterflies and provides young and old alike with a fascinating outing.
Farm highlights include exploring the breeding centre, craft shop and butterfly dome. Inside the dome, the butterflies actually fly around you so it is an enchanting encounter with these majestic insects.
Please contact Butterfly Valley directly for prices and other information.
Contact: +27 (073) 422 5357, butterflyvalley@ymail.com
Website: www.butterflyfarm.co.za
Address: Butterfly Valley, 46 Fascadale Road, Ramsgate, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#9 Have Fun at Mac Banana
Mac Banana near Port Edward is your South Coast one-stop for everything from excellent shopping to family entertainment and fun.
On-site, they offer an amazing shopping experience, four great restaurants (including their famous pancake house), some twenty different adventure activities and much more.
Highlights include the Mac Banana Farmstall, Banana Cafe – Pancake House, Mac venture golf, Mac Farmyard, Mac Quads and Mac Butterflies, to name only a few.
The animal farm/farmyard not only allows the chance for adults and children to see a range of adorable farm animals up close – but there is also a giant trampoline and pony rides available to enjoy.
These are just some of the incredible activities and experiences adults and children alike can find and enjoy at the diverse Mac Banana!
Please contact Mac Banana directly for prices, available activities and other information.
Contact: +27 (039) 319 1033, (039) 319 1454, macbanana22@gmail.com
Website: www.macbanana.com
Address: Mac Banana, R61 National Road between Palm Beach and Munster, Port Edward, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
#10 Visit Oribi Gorge
One of the most amazing natural attractions anywhere in South Africa is Oribi Gorge. So it is only right for anyone visiting the South Coast – or KZN in general – to make a plan to visit this unique outdoor attraction.
Although Oribi Gorge is perhaps better referred to as a canyon than a gorge – whatever you choose to call it, there can be no doubt that it is a glorious thing to behold!
Visitors can enjoy exploring the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, which (aside from the obvious main attraction of the Oribi Gorge itself) offers some scenic nature trails, picnic spots along the river and of course, the chance to spot some local wildlife too.
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is located some 25 kilometres inland from Port Shepstone.
For more information on the nature reserve, prices and general visitor guidelines, please contact local/tourism authorities directly.
Contact: +27 (072) 042 9390, +27 (033) 845 1000 (central reservations), bookings@kznwildlife.com
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
Address: Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
These are just ten of the best things to do in the South Coast… so pack your bags and head to the South Coast because adventure awaits!