Blue Flag is an international annual award which focuses on the environmental management of our coastline and coastal waters to help tourism growth and development. It is an international symbol of quality for beaches that meet a standard of excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and environmental management.

Each year in June or July along the KwaZulu-Natal coast the word gets out and, within hours, crowds of frenzied human predators converge on the area to join sharks, gamefish, marine mammals and birds in a feeding orgy. It is a time of plenty for all as large shoals of sardines move in a band up the coast. 

Throughout the year the Bull shark is encountered on PROTEA BANKS, making it one of the few places in the world where these sharks are seen on a regular basis. Being a solitary species, they are never encountered in large numbers on a reef dive.

Rated as a top dive site, ALIWAL SHOAL, a fossilized sand dune lies about 4km offshore from the small coastal town of Umkomaas, on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast of South Africa.

Emerald Cove works closely with Aqua Planet

The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. It has plentiful sand-bottom point-breaks, which makes for some world-class surf spots. The South Coast is peaceful and green, and tends to attract surfers who don’t like surfing in crowds. In Winter, when the swell comes alive, the South Coast is a world-class surfing destination.

St Michael’s-on-Sea 

This is the mecca of South Coast surfing. The waves are consistent and are always rippable. It offers riders a long wall and often thick barrels. This spot holds many contests, including the SA Champs and SA Masters Champs. Nicknamed St. Mikes by surfers it is a reef point break and sandbar rolled into one.

Heather Clark who started surfing at the age of 16 and was fortunate to become one of South Africa’s most decorated female surfers – is always on hand for a Surf Lesson or two…

The South Coast waters offer some of the richest fishing grounds with an abundance of game fish. 

Sitting at the southern tip of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, Shelly Beach has been a holiday hotspot for years. Tourists flock to the area to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. And they don’t stop at swimming. 

The Golf Coast is undeniably one of the highlights of the South African golfing circuit, with eleven superb courses set in a sub-tropical paradise against the backdrop of the balmy Indian Ocean. This multi-faceted area, earned the nickname “The Golf Coast” as many of the courses are ranked amongst the top 100 courses in South Africa and offers players year-round opportunities due to the fantastic weather and safe playing conditions.

The eleven golf courses are linked by a superb road network, within easy reach of each other. Set up base for you Golf Coast holiday at Emerald Cove and all the courses are within an hour’s drive from each other.

Take your bike out for the ride of its life along the many scenic trails of the South Coast. Fun and challenging with varying distances and gradings, the forest and coastal rides will fit the whole family.

ROCKY BAY RESORT

The 11km, 19km, 29kn and 36km trails meander through indigenous forest and sugarcane, ending with a scenic downhill to Rocky Bay beach.

CLEARWATER TRAILS

Starting at the Umtamvuna Gorge Viewing Deck in Port Edward, take the 4.7km Green Route for an easy circuit, the 20km Blue Route for a moderate ride and extend another 4.6km to the Black Route for the tough out there.

BEAVER CREEK

Experience the 8.5km adult or 2km kiddies  trail at the largest  coffee plantations in the Southern Hemisphere.

BURRY STANDER BIKE PARK

Opened in 2014 to honour world-class cyclist Burry Stander and develop cycling among the youth. Choose from a 2km cross country track or 5km farm track. Features a Kiddies Zone and coffee shop.

The South Coast plays host to the world’s highest gorge swing at Wild 5 in Oribi Gorge, the longest zip tour in Africa at Lake Eland Game Reserve, as well as exhilarating white water rafting and so much more to get those hearts pumping!

The South Coast has long been renowned as residency of many of the greatest names in both classical and contemporary South African Art movements. 

WH Coetzer, Errol Boyley, Walter Battiss and Titta Fasciotti are but a few of the names synonymous with the area and served as a rich inspiration for various art forms which have blossomed in this region. At the heart of the art community are Ramsgate and Southbroom which serve as the creative hub of the South Coast – home to the region’s leading art galleries.

South Coast is blessed to have one of the few Stinekors in KZN based at Shelly Centre – for those rainy days.