PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
22 December 2025

KZN South Coast Remains Open and Ready to Welcome Visitors

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) notes the recent thunderstorms and localised flooding experienced across parts of the Ugu District, including Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni Municipalities, following heavy rainfall on Sunday, 21 December 2025.

While intense weather conditions resulted in isolated incidents such as localised flooding, fallen trees, temporary service disruptions and safety-related closures in certain areas, municipal teams and emergency services responded swiftly, with assessments and clean up operations currently underway.

Temporary Beach Closures – Umdoni Municipality

SCTIE acknowledges the temporary closure of selected beaches within Umdoni Municipality due to high river inflows and muddy water conditions that may pose health and safety risks. These precautionary closures affect the following beaches, Scottburgh, Park Rynie, Rocky Bay, Pennington,Sezela, Nkomba, Ifafa and Bazley.

Water quality testing is currently underway and beaches will reopen once conditions meet required safety standards. Updates will be communicated through official municipal channels.

Tourism Operations Continue Across the South Coast

Importantly, the broader KZN South Coast remains open, operational and welcoming visitors.

Outside of the affected Umdoni beaches, beaches across Ray Nkonyeni Municipality remain open, with lifeguards, shark safety systems and beach management teams on duty. Tourism establishments, accommodation facilities, restaurants, attractions and shopping nodes across the destination continue to operate, with only isolated impacts reported.

Visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying the South Coast’s wide range of experiences beyond the beach, including Golf courses and leisure resorts, nature-based, adventure and hinterland experiences, cultural, heritage and township tourism offerings, family-friendly attractions and festive season events, dining, shopping and entertainment precincts

SCTIE CEO, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya said: “While certain areas have experienced temporary weather related disruptions, these impacts are localised and being actively managed. The South Coast remains very much open for business, with a diverse range of tourism experiences available to visitors. Our destination is resilient, well-prepared and we continue working closely with municipalities and emergency services to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season.”

SCTIE continues to coordinate with Ugu District municipalities, emergency services and tourism stakeholders to monitor conditions, support recovery efforts and prioritise visitor safety.

Visitors are advised to heed safety notices, respect temporary closures and remain informed through official communication platforms. With its variety of attractions and experiences, the KZN South Coast continues to offer a memorable holiday destination rain or shine.

The KZN South Coast is welcoming, resilient and open for holidaymakers.

Whether you seek thrill, tranquillity, culture, or family fun, the KZN South Coast promises the ultimate summer escape across both its stunning coastline and vibrant hinterland.

Visitors are encouraged to browse SCTIE’s full holiday events calendar at www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za for more festive-season happenings.

Get in Touch!

Unlock adventure on the KZN South Coast! Unlock more by downloading the Explore KZN South Coast app, visiting the KZN South Coast website www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za; 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 the KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.

 

Follow the hashtags #visitkznsouthcoast #unlockadventure #kznsouthcoast #itssummertime

/ENDS

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

High Resolution Images: https://we.tl/t-hS4hkWnMmb

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.

For more information please contact:
Vanessa Gounden
Email:  vanessa@sctie.co.za