South Africa is blessed with excellent weather and superb beaches, making the coastal holiday the ultimate vacation for families in need of some serious rest, relaxation and fun in the sun. And every possibility is covered from bucket-and-spade breaks to designer options.
The Perfect Beach holiday
A family holiday is all about bonding; about taking time out to play together and create those special memories with your loved ones. The challenge, however, is to find a destination that can fulfil the diverse needs of each and every family member.
Look no further because there are a number of South African coastal towns that offer your perfect beach holiday.
Hermanus
The small town of Hermanus in the Overberg region of the Western Cape is renowned as the ‘Whale Capital’ of South Africa. Each September the annual Whale Festival takes place, promising fun and festivities.
However, no matter what time of year you visit Hermanus there is always a load of family fun to be had. Enjoy swimming and surfing at the popular Grotto and Voëlklip beaches, or go boating on the Kleinriviersvlei lagoon.
There are a number of walking trails in the area, and if history interests mum and dad they can spend an afternoon browsing the Old Harbour (which is now a national monument). Why not pop into the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and learn about the local fynbos and other plant-life.
For food lovers there are fantastic restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries in town. And don’t forget to feast on the local seafood. It’s simply sublime.
Plettenberg Bay
The Garden Route is one of the most scenic areas in the country, and when it comes to superb family holidays then Plettenberg Bay is a sure winner. ‘Plett’, as it is affectionately known, is a veritable playground for the whole family. For your fix of sea and sand there are great beaches on offer at Lookout and Robberg.
The area is also popular for its nature trails. If your kids love wild animals then visit Monkeyland or the Elephant Park. If the teens are the adventurous types then abseiling, quad-biking and blackwater-tubing are all up for grabs.
Then there are the Uthombo Tours to Qolani township or a game of polo at Kurland. Plett also boasts a wide range of restaurants and excellent hotels. Accommodation ranges from five star establishments to cottages, holiday flats and a few excellent caravan parks.
St Lucia
On the surface the small town of St Lucia is just a typical coastal fishing town, but with a few surprises on offer. It’s a lot more rugged than the aforementioned Plett, and quite a bit more rustic that Hermanus. And that’sjust part of the charm.
St Lucia is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Here you can laze on the beach, go deep sea fishing or view game at the St Lucia Game Reserve. Or visit Cape Vidal for snorkelling excursions and walks along this perfect stretch of beach; hike through the swamp forests near Dukuduku; go bird watching on Fanie’s Island; or enjoya barbeque (and great views) at Mission Rocks.
Margate
Margate is one of the biggest and most popular coastal towns along the KwaZulu-Natal Hibiscus Coast, for good reason.
Apart from a number of great beaches there are a range of activities and excursions available in the area. For adventure enthusiasts there is abseiling, deep sea fishing, kayaking and surfing. And why not give the Oribi Gorge Swing a try? There are also fantastic picnic spots, birding get-togethers and horse-riding.
Margate’s Main Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status, which means that it is extremely safe and environmentally sound.
Other notable Coastal Towns
Then there is Clifton in Camps Bay for the jet set; Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape for fantastic surfing; Umhlanga Rocks near Durban for bathing beauties; Lambert’s Bay along the West Coast for superb hospitality; Knysna for oysters; and Kei Mouth on the Wild Coast for those who hanker afterthe rough and ready.
So whatever it is you’re looking for in a beach holiday, there is something for you along South Africa’s fantastic coastline.
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