The South Coast, also known as the Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, is a string of coastal towns, cities and villages that runs along the KwaZulu Natal south coastline of South Africa, offering unique holiday activities and relaxed living for permanent residents. The South Coast runs from just South of Durban in Amazinimtoti. It continues through to Port Edward, a coastal stretch of approximately 140 km that encompasses one of South Africa’s favourite holiday destinations.
The KZN coastline offers pristine beaches, some of which have achieved Blue Flag status and some based in protected areas, giving you spectacular sea views, beautiful wildlife and exciting adventures. Some of the main towns, cities and villages of the South Coast, KwaZulu Natal are listed below for your convenience.
Bazley or Bazley Beach – Residential Beach Town
Doonside – Tiny Coastal Town
Elysium – Small Coastal Village
Glenmore – Village
Harding – Town
Hibberdene – Town
Ifafa Beach – Town
Kelso – City
Kingsburgh – Town
Margate – Town
Melville – Coastal Resort Village
Mtwalume, also known as Umtalumi, – Seaside village
Munster – Coastal Town
Oslo Beach – Small Coastal Village
Palm Beach – Town
Park Rynie – Small Resort Town
Pennington – Small Coastal Town
Port Edward – Small Resort Town
Port Shepstone – Main Town
Ramsgate – Village
Saint Micheal`s on Sea – Town
Scottburgh – Town
Shelly Beach – Town
Southbroom – Village
Sunwich Port – Small Coastal Village
Trafalgar – Seaside Resort Village
Umkomaas – Small Coastal Village
Umzumbe – Seaside Resort Town
Uvongo – Town
Most towns on the South Coast have good Spar or convenience store access, several good medical facilities, phenomenal beaches, astounding wildlife, clear skies with little to no pollution, hiking trails, river cruises and all sorts of outdoor adventures.
Looking for accommodation in any of these gorgeous seaside villages and towns is easy with hotels, holiday rentals and Airbnb aplenty. Most of the towns have beautiful beaches, but not all have stationed lifeguards which can make these beaches unsafe for swimming. Remember whenever you are on the beach it is important to respect the sea and pay attention to the lifeguard’s instructions.
The KZN South Coast offers over 50 beaches with 5 being 2024 Blue Flag Beaches. While the ocean is almost always warm enough to swim – many of the swimming beaches are closed for swimming during winter as the annual sardine run takes place bringing whales, sharks, dolphins and more to the waters.