PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
26 August 2022

 

KZN South Coast beaches ready to welcome all bathers and ocean users

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 Beach
• Trafalgar Beach
• Southport Beach
• Umzumbe Beach
• Ramsgate Beach
• Hibberdene 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/

/ENDS

 

All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct image credit is included and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.

High resolution images are available upon request.
(Images: Supplied by SCTIE)

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Marina Beach.

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Trafalgar Beach.

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Southport Beach.

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Umzumbe Beach.

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Ramsgate Beach.

Blue Flag beach, pictured: Hibberdene Beach.

Umtentweni Beach.

Margate Beach.

 

About KZN South Coast

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom’, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts a number of permanently managed Blue Flag beaches, and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous bird and wildlife, and it holds the title for ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which also plays host to a number of high-profile events including the The Bike Fest, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu Film Festival and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series.

Issued on behalf of:

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)

Disseminated by:
Olivia Jones Communications

For more information please contact:
Olivia Jones Communications
Cell: 083 653 1720
Email: media@oliviajones.co.za