PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Attention
10 November 2025

The KZN South Coast continues to set the benchmark for coastal excellence, boasting 8 of KwaZulu-Natal’s 20 Full Blue Flag Beaches. This is a remarkable achievement that highlights the region’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and visitor safety. We are proud that these numbers are growing each year with last year boasting 7 blue flags and 5 pilot status beaches.South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) proudly congratulate Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) and Umdoni Municipality on their exceptional achievements at the 2025 Blue Flag Award Ceremony, held on 31 October at the Royal St. Andrews Hotel in Ndlambe Municipality, Port Alfred.

Full Blue Flag Beaches:
• Trafalgar
• Marina
• Ramsgate
• St Michaels (First-time awardee!)
• Umzumbe
• Southport
• Hibberdene
• Pennington

Pilot Blue Flag Beaches:
• Port Edward
• Umtentweni
• Rocky Bay (Umdoni Municipality)
• Preston (Umdoni Municipality)
• Umthwalume (Umdoni Municipality)
• Scottburgh (Umdoni Municipality)

Special Recognition Awards:
• Hibberdene Beach – 10 consecutive years as a Blue Flag Beach
• Umzumbe Beach – 15 consecutive years as a Blue Flag Beach

Green Coast Awards:
• Trafalgar Marine & Surrounds
• Leisure Beach

The internationally recognised Blue Flag Programme, administered by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), represents the global gold standard in coastal management. It assures visitors that certified beaches meet the highest standards of water quality, safety, environmental education and amenities, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The addition of St Michael’s Beach to the list of Full Blue Flag Beaches marks a particularly exciting milestone. One of the KZN South Coast’s most popular family beaches, St Michael’s is renowned for its warm waters, golden sands and consistent surf, making it a favourite among swimmers, surfers, and bodyboarders. The beach’s lagoon also offers calm conditions ideal for canoeing and paddling, while its vibrant promenade and nearby eateries provide the perfect blend of relaxation and seaside fun. This new Blue Flag status further cements St Michael’s as one of the region’s signature coastal attractions.

This recognition comes at the perfect time as we approach the summer holiday season, when thousands of domestic and international visitors flock to the KZN South Coast to enjoy its sun-soaked beaches, rivers and adventure attractions. Beyond its pristine coastline, the region offers an impressive array of water-based experiences from shark cage diving at Aliwal Shoal and scuba diving in world-class dive sites to kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddling along scenic estuaries and rivers.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Oribi Gorge’s Wild 5 Adventures delivers heart-pounding thrills with abseiling, ziplining, the Wild Swing and suspension bridge walks. Inland, visitors can enjoy hiking trails, birdwatching and quad biking, making the KZN South Coast a truly diverse and adventure-rich destination.

Dr. Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), said this recognition further strengthens the region’s tourism value and international appeal:

“We are immensely proud to have the majority of KwaZulu-Natal’s Blue Flag Beaches right here on the KZN South Coast. This achievement demonstrates our collective dedication to environmental stewardship, community involvement and tourism excellence. Blue Flag status not only assures visitors of a safe, clean and well-managed beach experience, but it also strengthens our positioning as a premier sustainable tourism destination. I commend both Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni Municipalities, as well as our tourism stakeholders, for maintaining these world-class standards that inspire confidence among travellers.”

SCTIE commends the ongoing efforts of local municipalities, environmental officers, lifeguards and communities (Tidy Towns, CPF)  for ensuring that the KZN South Coast remains one of the most desirable and sustainable seaside destinations in South Africa. These accolades reaffirm the region’s reputation as a top-tier coastal getaway and a leader in eco-conscious tourism development, setting the stage for an unforgettable summer season on the beautiful KZN South Coast.

Keep updated on all on South Coast activities by visiting the KZN South Coast website; 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. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here. Check out the latest Southern Explorer Route Guide for the KZN South Coast here.

/ENDS

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Trafalgar Blue Flag Beach

Marina Blue Flag Beach

Ramsgate Blue Flag Beach

St Michael’s Blue Flag Beach

Umzumbe Blue Flag Beach

Southport Blue Flag Beach

Hibberdene Blue Flag Beach

Pennington Blue Flag 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 several 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 birds and wildlife, and it holds the title of ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which has played host to several high-profile events including The Bike Fest, The Conservation Symposium, The Ocean Festival, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu International Film Festival, and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series, The Ugu Maskandi Festival, South Coast Marathon.

For more information please contact:
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE)
Cell: 039 682 7944
Email:  vanessa@sctie.co.za