⚡SMALL Beach Towns in South Africa ~ It’s not difficult to get swept up by the wildness of Kruger, the elegance of the Winelands, or the sophistication of Cape Town.
⛱️ But it is the small beach towns in South Africa that get to the heart of what it is to experience the country’s diversity – its different climates, cuisines and cultures.
🐳 Right around the coast, from Alexander Bay on the west coast to St Lucia on the east coast, are beach towns worth visiting and exploring.
⛵ So many, in fact, that choosing just 25 is rather difficult…
Explore the best small beach towns in South Africa, arranged from the west to the east coast…
St Helena Bay
Located a scenic drive from Cape Town, St Helena Bay is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the spring wild flower season, with visitors from all over the world. It is also one of the most popular bays for whales to visit and calve.
Things to Do in St Helena Bay
- From August to November, the Southern Right Whales come to the bay to calve and can be viewed from the shore all around the bay.
- Play a round of gold at the Shelley Point Country Club & Golf Course. The views are amazing.
- Visit the Stompneus Point Lighthouse.
- Spend an hour or two building sandcastles on Shelley Bay.
- Long walks on the beach.
Where to eat in St Helena Bay
Try JP’s Grill & Bistro for casual dining, pizza, steakhouse and seafood and Alegria Restaurant is also recommended.
Langebaan
Famous for its brilliant blue lagoon and Caribbean-style beaches, Langebaan is only 100 km from Cape Town, so it’s popular, particularly its beachside restaurants. But even on a busy weekend you’ll manage to find a space for solitude, making it a top pick for this list of Beach Towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in Langebaan
- A Highlight of a visit to Langebaan is the Langebaan Lagoon. It’s a large saltwater lagoon, regarded as a wetland of international importance, protected by the West Coast National Park.
- Learn kite-surfing! The Langebaan Lagoon is an ideal playground for amateur kite-surfers.
- Visit the West Coast National Park. It’s beautiful especially in spring when the spring flowers bloom. Add it to your #BucketList if you haven’t already been.
- Play a round of golf at Langebaan Golf Club.
- The Postberg Flower Reserve is not always available for you to visit. Even though it forms part of the National Park, this part of it is disturbed as little as possible so that, when spring comes, great swathes of flowers can erupt.
- For the visitor, the highlight of the West Coast Fossil Park is the ‘live’ exhibit of an ongoing excavation of early Pliocene fossils (fossils from 5 million years ago).
- Include Seeberg Viewpoint on your visit to the West Coast National Park.
Dining Out in Langebaan
There are plenty of good restaurants in Langebaan. On the beach, go to Die Strandloper Restaurant for lunch or dinner and a great time. It’s a favourite with locals. La Petite Maison for seafood and French, Kokomo Beach Bar & Restaurant and many more.
Paternoster
This West Coast fishing village has a long, sandy and boulder lined beach rung round by whitewashed cottages and a couple of sophisticated restaurants. It’s become something of a weekend mecca for Capetonians and top of our list of our best small beach towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in Paternoster
- Visit the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve lies just south-west of the popular weekend town, its manual lighthouse – the last of its kind – a draw card to many.
- Try kayaking with an experienced guide with double, sit on top, Epic kayaks.
- You will obviously want to spend some time taking a long walk on the beautiful beach and maybe while away a few hours reading a book on the beach.
- Go birding – The area has recorded over 250 bird species.
- Whale watching … keep eyes open for them especially during whale season.
- Have a drink at The Panty Bar in the hotel. Yes, the ceiling is covered in ladies’ panties.
- Beer lovers will want to taste the artisanal beers at Paternoster Brewery.
- Wine tasting at the Paternoster Wine & Tasting Lounge
Where to Eat in Paternoster
Gaaitjie, roughly meaning ‘nook’ in Afrikaans, is a worthwhile foodie destination. If you planned ahead and made a booking (weeks or months in advance) then you will want to try Wolfgat. Also try The Noisy Oyster, Leeto, and there are at least another ten restaurants worth trying.
Yzerfontein
Yzerfontein is a tranquil sea-side village, 80 kilometres north of Cape Town on the R27. It marks the start of the beautiful Cape West Coast Region. Yzerfontein offers unspoilt coastline with both rocky and sandy beaches including famous sixteen-mile beach which stretches all the way to Postberg Nature Reserve within the West Coast Park.
Things to Do in Yzerfontein
- Dassen island is a must visit for nature lovers. It is home to thousands of sea birds, penguins, rabbits and a rather speedy breed of tortoise.
- See the Dassen Island Penguin Colony
- Visit !KKhwa ttu, where San guides usher you into their heritage across bushlands adorned with Fynbos, game and birdlife.
- Beach lovers will enjoy Pearl Bay, 16 Mile Beach and Yzerfontein’s main beach.
- Farm stalls, beach trails, horse riding and other adventure activities.
Where to Eat in Yzerfontein
If not self-catering in your weekend abode, try Rosmead Artisan Bakery, Strandkombuis Restaurant, !Khwa ttu Restaurant and at least another ten also worth trying.
Melkbosstrand
Regarded as the start of the Cape West Coast, Melkbosstrand is something of a village, although many regard it as a suburb of Cape Town given that it is a mere 35 kilometres outside of the city centre. We love it so much we’ve added it to our lost of top Beach Towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in Melkbosstrand
- Melkbosstrand offers hours of beach strolling, surfing, sunsets to put most sunsets to shame.
- Take some photos – you’re now in the town from where the much-photographed view over Table Mountain and Robben Island originates.
- There are two hiking trails in the Koeberg Nature Reserve. Pick up a good map and birding pamphlets at the info kiosk.
- Visit the Airforce Museum. Let your imagination run wild and experience what it may have been like to fly with the aviators of the past in an impressive range of planes and helicopters from another era.
- Go sand boarding. Ride the white dunes of Atlantis on the stunning west coast.
- Play Golf at Atlantic Beach Golf Club
Eating out in Melkbosstrand
There are a couple of restaurants that come recommended in Melkbosstrand, but none quite as much as Damhuis Restaurant.
Noordhoek
Noordhoek has attracted a blend of modest cottages and luxury homes that offer inspiring views over Long Beach, which stretches for over 8 km of wide sandy, unspoiled beach that borders on wetlands and eventually links up with Kommetjie.
Things To Do in Noordhoek
- Locals ride their horses here and the dunes are popular with dogs and children alike.
- Horse-riding on the beach for all ages.
- Take a long walk along Long Beach.
- Casting your eyes from the vantage point of Chapmans Peak the immense beauty of Noordhoek beach is matched by its length.
- Noordhoek Farm Village is a fantastic spot for a family day out.
- Try surfing on Noordhoek beach or walk to the Kakapo shipwreck.
- If you have to go shopping, there is Long Beach Mall.
Eating out in Noordhoek
Visit The Cape Farmhouse Beer Garden for craft beers and lunch, picnic or dine at Cape Point Vineyards, The Food Barn and a number of other good restaurants.
Pringle Bay
Lying within the Kogelberg biosphere, Pringle Bay rests at the foot of Hangklip Mountain, a perfect seaside village. Its beauty unmarred by tarred roads and streetlights, Pringle bay’s beach is awash with rock pools perfect for diving.
Things To Do in Pringle Bay
- Spend time on the beautiful Pringle Bay Beach. During the summer months there are life-guards on duty all along the beach.
- Collect mussels on the beach.
- Whale watching is great here. See these gentle giants as they come close to the shoreline to mate and calve every year between July and December.
- Kogelberg Nature Reserve is a must for hikers.
- There is a great mountain bike trail in the reserve of roughly 22 kilometres.
- The Kogelberg Biosphere offers amazing sights for those who love bird-watching.
Eating Out in Pringle Bay
Try Hook Line & Sinker, Bistro Three Six Five and the hanging Rock Kitchen which appear as the top three restaurants in Pringle Bay on TripAdvisor.
Vermont
Vermont is just outside Hermanus, the Overberg whale capital, but unlike Hermanus it is quiet and more village-like, its beach a series of tidal pools and rocks, and its salt pan perfect for spotting birds. It’s a popular small beach town in South Africa, but not on everybody’s radar, so peaceful enough for a quiet holiday.
Things To Do in Vermont
- There is not that much to do here, which is exactly why you go.
- Enjoy the tidal pools, perfect for wading.
- The jade-green mountains and the sea cliffs promise the perfect backdrop to your kayaking expedition.
- For visitors the Vermont salt pan is a site of tranquillity, stillness and wildlife. The bird life in particular is worthy of a visit.
- There is much to keep you busy in the area when you get tired of whale watching and the beaches.
- Wine tasting, art galleries, shopping, restaurants are all a short drive away.
Eating Out in Vermont
We recommend any number of restaurants in nearby Hermanus. There are so many to choose from, Bientang’s Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar, The Wine Glass and Cafe 1904…
De Kelders
Named after a series of underground caves beneath the cliffs, De Kelders, which is Dutch for ‘the cellars’, is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the southern right whale from the shore. Less frequented by the crowds makes it a firm favourite in our list of top beach towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in De Kelders
- For the brave, try shark cage diving with extreme scene. Not for the faint-hearted.
- It took roughly forty years after a major shipwreck on the coast at Gansbaai for the Danger Point lighthouse to finally emerge in 1895. Visit it!
- If you are into hiking, there are a number in the area: Duiwelsgat hiking trail and the Perlemoen hiking trail.
- Whale watching in season.
- Beaches and long walks and explore the Klipgat caves.
Eating Out in De Kelders
Eat out at Benguela Restaurant or Coffee on the Rocks in De Kelders.
L’Agulhas
The Overberg village of L’Agulhas is Africa’s southernmost point – a beautiful shoreline with an interrupted sandy beach and an adjacent, rugged coastline that is a National Park, which is why it was added to our list of the best Beach Towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in L’Agulhas
- Visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. A highlight is to climb the lighthouse. Make your way up the 71 steps to the top of the lighthouse, while this sounds rather far, the view from the top is breathtaking and well worth the trip.
- Experience angling at the southernmost tip of Africa with Awesome Charters, a saltwater fishing charter, based in Struisbaai.
- Visit the Cape Agulhas Museum. The museum is a wonderful historical source of not only the lighthouse but also of the old fish traps that were used hundreds of years ago by the indigenous Khoisan people, these traps are made out of stone!
- Go for long walks on beaches.
- Hiking trails worth doing include the Rasperpunt and the Spookdraai hiking trails.
- Do the Cape Agulhas Wine Route.
Where to eat in L’Agulhas
For breakfast or lunch try Suidpunt Potpourri. Also recommended on TA are Zuidste Kaap Restaurant and Seagull’s Pub & Grill.
Arniston
Arniston used to be a fishing village, so it’s still filled with little whitewashed cottages and local fishermen. It’s also where you can visit Waenhuiskrans, a cave just offshore the adjacent nature reserve.
Things To Do in Arniston
- Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) is the highlight of a visit to Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve in Arniston.
- Visit what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa, the Agulhas National Park.
- Horse riding on the beach.
- Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland with some gorgeous beaches for beach time fun.
- See the fish traps and maddens. A wander along the coast of Arniston at low tide will reveal many ingenious fish traps, which are still in use today.
- Whales come to the Arniston coastline each year with peak viewing times being in September and October, to calve and mate.
Eating out in Arniston
Dine at the restaurant at The Arniston Hotel.
Witsand
Witsand is where the Breede River flows into the Indian Ocean creating a beautiful estuary great for swimming, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing. But it’s also on St Sebastian Bay where the southern right whale comes annually to calve, making this one of our favourite small beach towns in South Africa.
Things To Do in Witsand
- Top of the list for Witsand are sea cruises and fishing trips.
- Whale watching is the obvious attraction here. The nick name, the ‘Whale Nursery of the South African Coast’, originated because of its high count of Southern Right whales, most of whom return each year to calve.
- Beach walks and hiking trails.
- Visit the Witsand Nature Reserve.
- Apart from being the Southern Right whale nursery of South Africa, the town of Witsand is also a fantastic kite-boarding and kite-surfing destination.
Eating Out in Witsand
If you plan to dine out, try Ellie’s On Main and the Anchorage Beach Restaurant and bar.
Victoria Bay
Enclosed by cliffs with a gently sloping beach Victoria Bay is great for swimming and surfing. It has a tidal pool, boardwalk and jetty as well as a series of natural paddling pools in amongst the rocks.
Things To Do in Victoria Bay
- Surfs Up! Victoria Bay Beach is known for its consistent right point break, making it one of the most popular surfing spots on the Garden Route.
- Visit Map of Africa in nearby Wilderness.
- At the Outeniqua Farmer’s Market explore the 80 food and craft stalls.
- Fishing from the jetty. It’s a concrete jetty, flanked by a sandy-bottomed rock pool. It looks out across the bay and is a popular place for watching the surfers.
Eating out in Victoria Bay
We recommend driving to George to dine at any of the many good restaurants there. 101 Meade Street Restaurant, Serendipity Restaurant and Joplins Steak Bar are rated highly on TripAdvisor.
Wilderness
As far back as the late 1800’s the reputation of Wilderness with its natural bounty of rivers and lakes and intrinsic peace and tranquillity, ideal for seaside holidays, was established in a little stone farmhouse. A seaside boarding house was established in the old homestead, and so began the tradition of hospitality which has made this small resort town famous all over the world.
Things To Do in Wilderness
- Explore the Wilderness National Park. There are good trails through the pristine environment.
- Visit the Map Of Africa viewpoint for stunning views.
- Wilderness Beach is unspoilt, expansive, beautiful … just a few words used to describe the gorgeous beach in the Wilderness.
- Go shopping at Milkwood Village in Wilderness, which is conveniently situated in the heart of Wilderness and is close to the train station, the beach and lagoon.
- Hiking trails include the Brownhooded Trail which runs along the Duiwe River and the Kingfisher Trail which starts in Wilderness National Park near the Touws River bridge.
- Go Abseiling in the Kaaimans Gorge.
- Dolphin Paragliding offers visitors and locals the prime opportunity of seeing the stunning Garden Route from new heights, with an added dash of adrenalin.
- Have a picnic! The Wilderness Picnic Co. packs scrumptious picnics, which are delivered directly to you.
Eating Out in Wilderness
Try Serendipity Restaurant, The Girls on the Square Restaurant, Views Restaurant and Bootlegger Brewery & Blind Pig Taproom, all of which come recommended.
Sedgefield
Sedgefield’s sand dunes are what makes it so special. They stand sentry like protecting Sedgefield’s beaches, including the beautiful Myoli Beach, one of five beaches set in front of the lagoon and dunes.
Things To Do in Sedgefield
- The walk from Swartvlei to Platbank at low tide has a heavenly quality to it.
- Shop at the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market, a local farmers and food market open every Saturday morning until 12 noon.
- Gericke’s Point is quite literally the point at which the long Swartvlei Beach takes a sharp turn. It is a rocky outcrop that may be relatively small but offers a world of adventure and natural beauty.
- Beaches here include Myoli Beach, Swartfield, Cola and Sedfield beaches.
- For a real adventure, try tandem paragliding!
Eating Out in Sedgefield
Restaurants to try out include Upstairs at Rosie’s, Oysters R Us for an oyster feast and Pili Pili Beach Restaurant for a fun vibe.
Plettenberg Bay
Perched on a hillside Plettenberg Bay overlooks the sea. It’s one of the most popular small beach towns in South Africa, particularly for Capetonians, not least for its miles of beach but also for its friendly, relaxed atmosphere and spectacular scenery.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better beach town in South Africa, but may have to share it, depending on when you go.
Things To Do in Plettenberg Bay
- Explore the Robberg Nature Reserve.
- Visit Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre. Tenikwa has grown to be one of the largest active Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres in the Western Cape, attending to a diverse variety of animals.
- Visit Birds of Eden. Birds of Eden is the largest single-dome free flight aviary in the world, spanning 2.3 hectares of natural forests, streams and dams.
- Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is the world’s first multi-species, free roaming primate sanctuary with 12 hectares of indigenous forest which is home to over 500 primates of 9 different species.
- Browse art and ceramics at Porcupine Ceramics.
- Whale watching with Ocean Safaris or go horse riding with Hog Hollow horse trails.
- There is much to do in Plett we haven’t covered here. There is lots do in terms of adventure activities (para gliding, mountain biking, hiking trails, etc. etc.)
- Golf at Goose Valley or Plettenberg Bay Country Club. This is no little seaside golf course; it is a magnificent 18-hole layout in the most lovely of settings. All greens and bunkers are to USGA specifications.
Eating out in Plettenberg Bay
Newstead Wines Restaurant comes highly recommended, Zinzi Restaurant, The Plettenberg, Hunters Country House, The Fat Fish and others provide plenty of fine dining in Plettenberg Bay as well as lots of casual eateries in the town. You won’t go hungry!
Keurboomstrand
The seaside town of Keurboomstrand is just outside Plett, its beautiful beaches not quite as well known, but for all that, beautiful, particularly if you add the forested headlands and rock formations that in the right light make for interesting photographs.
Things To Do in Keurboomstrand
- Explore the beautiful Keurbooms River nature reserve that stretches over a distance of 2500 hectares, is bisected by the Keurbooms River and overlooks the estuary.
- Hike the Robberg Nature Reserve, it starts in parking area at the Robberg Peninsula Nature.
- You will spend plenty of time on the beautiful beaches here.
- The sandy beach of the Keurbooms Lagoon is popular and worth exploring.
- Keurboomstrand beach is about 10 km from Plettenberg Bay, on the eastern fringe of the bay. If you’re really fit, then you can walk all the way to Nature’s Valley from Keurboomstrand, but for this hike you remain roughly within 3 km of the village.
- Keurbooms River Ferry
- Take the Keurbooms River Ferry. Explore the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve in the comfort of one of the 30 seaters crafts.
Eating Out in Keurboomstrand
We recommend eating out in nearby Plettenberg Bay which has plenty of restaurants to choose from. Special mentions include Peppermill Cafe, Nguni Restaurant and Bramon Boutique Wine Estate.
Nature’s Valley
Nature’s Valley is a feast of indigenous forest, surrounding hills, a sheltered lagoon and a Salt River Mouth. It lies bounded by the De Vasselot Nature Reserve and the beach, with only one access road bringing the odd visitor. The holiday homes lie unobtrusively in amongst the trees.
Things To Do in Nature’s Valley
- The Salt River Mouth hiking trail starts near the tearoom. It takes you into the heart of the Tsitsikamma forest; a dense, wondrous forest only overshadowed by the play of mountain and beach.
- The Kalander Kloof Hiking Trail extends for some 4.8 kilometres and begins just opposite the entrance of the camping site of de Vasselot.
- Nature’s Valley Beach is a great spot for surfing, swimming and sun tanning.
- Stop at Nature’s Way Farm Stall to stock up on fresh produce and home-baked goodies.
- Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours traverses the upper canopy of vivid evergreen ‘jungle’ gliding in full harness with helmet, on engineered cables past rare birds like the Knysna Loerie and Narina Trogon.
Eating out in Natures Valley
Dine out at Lily Pond Country Lodge, Natures Valley Restaurant or for more casual fare, eat at Nature’s Way Farm Stall.
Summerstrand
Summerstrand provides a combination of golden beaches, warm waters, and access to the stimulating historic centre of Port Elizabeth. Hobie beach (also the scene of the annual ‘Splash Festival’ close to Shark Rock pier) and Pollock beach are very popular nearby beaches, home to windsurfers, hobie-cats, yachts and surfers.
Things To Do in Summerstrand
- Being part of and so close to the city of Port Elizabeth, there is no shortage of things to do in Summerstrand. Of course, the beaches are one of the prime reasons you stay here. Hobie Beach is a favourite.
- Visit the Cape Recife nature reserve and lighthouse.
- The Boardwalk entertainment centre is popular with locals and tourists with plenty to offer all members of the family.
- Shark Rock Pier is the only pier in Port Elizabeth, and provides spectacular views of Algoa Bay, the extensive coastline, and the city.
- See the Nelson Mandela Voting Line Sculpture. It’s a 38-metre-long metal silhouette sculpture of a string of people – of all shapes and sizes connected together – forms a work of art known simply as Voting Line.
- Take day trips to Addo, the Garden Route and numerous other day trips and tours available.
Eating Out in Summerstrand
If you plan to eat out try Backstreet Grill, Muse Restaurant and SUKI Sushi & Asian Cuisine.
Cape St Francis
If you can find a holiday house within walking distance of the beach, you’re in beach holiday heaven. Cape St Francis manages to avoid the ostentation of St Francis Bay whilst retaining its emphasis on white sand, historic lighthouse and plenty of nature reserve.
Things To Do in Cape St Francis
- Located in the holiday village of Cape St Francis, the Cape St Francis Lighthouse was commissioned on 4 July 1878.
- Situated at the Seal Point Lighthouse, the Penguin Rescue & Rehabilitation is a marine bird rehabilitation centre which provides treatment and temporary care to injured, displaced or oiled marine birds.
- Visit Irma Booysen Flora Reserve, a small veld reserve given to preserving nature.
- Behind Irma Booysen reserve lies behind another reserve, the Seal Point Nature Reserve, which contains the Cape St Francis Lighthouse.
- Take a walk along the beach to Shark Point, a journey that could turn out to be a whale and dolphin watcher’s dream.
- Enjoy an hour-long Sundowner Cruise around the St Francis Bay Marina. Departing daily from the Marine Harbour.
- Surf Seal Point, regarded as one of the most consistent breaks along the coast.
Eating Out in Cape St Francis
Joe’s Bar and Joe Fish Restaurant is situated in the Cape St. Francis Resort. The restaurant and pub specialize in seafood.
Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay is de-stress capital of the Eastern Cape. Surfers love it, holiday makers revel in the combination of laid-back seaside living and access to great beaches. If the crowds get too much head to Paradise beach for its dunes and long walks.
Things To Do in Jeffreys Bay
- Learn to surf! Wavecrest Surf School is situated on the main beachfront near many restaurants and good chilling spots.
- If you are not here to learn to surf, then you are here to surf!
- Three levels of dune are available to try, and Jeffreys Bay Sandboarding has experienced instructors on hand to assist where necessary.
- The Kabeljous Nature Reserve is located north of Jeffreys Bay and offers the visitor a 2.5km coastline complete with dune thickets, forests, bushveld and wetlands.
- Marking the halfway point between the surfing hotspot of Jeffrey’s Bay and the holiday retreat town of Cape St Francis is the aptly named Paradise Beach.
- Go horse riding with Papiesfontein Beach Horse Trails.
- The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum has the largest collection of shells in the country. The Museum is open at specific times each day of the week.
- One of the Eastern Cape’s most popular destinations is the Dolphin Beach JBay Waterpark
- The JBay Surf Village is a melting pot of surf and skate culture, home decor, restaurants and pamper spots. It’s an outdoor shopping mall for the whole family.
Eating Out in Jeffreys Bay
Eat out at Rambling Rose Garden Cafe, Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant and try Brewhaha Craft Beer Restaurant.
Kenton-on-Sea
You can’t get more of a beach experience than Kenton-on-Sea. Two river estuaries meet the sea on either side of town, whilst in between is nature reserve and a series of secluded beaches, perfect for swimming, splashing and soaking up the sun.
Things To Do in Kenton On Sea
- Kariega Beach is a secluded treasure on the Eastern Cape coastline.
- Adventure activities include kayaking, horse riding, kite boarding and sand boarding.
- Shelley beach is very popular with locals and visitors.
- The area offers exceptional mountain biking and MTB trails.
- Other popular beaches include Middle and Boknes beaches.
- Beachcomber horse trails for a memorable ride on the beach.
- Day trips to a game reserve nearby.
Where to Eat in Kenton On Sea
Continental Restaurant & Pub & Garden, Pizzarella and Stanley’s Restaurant are all recommended.
Coffee Bay
Coffee Bay’s Hole in the Wall is much photographed and has placed the Wild Coast village firmly on the map, thanks to Instagram. The rural village is an unbeatable combination of green hills, cliff paths, sandy beaches and a feeling of remoteness that you don’t often find.
Things To Do in Coffee Bay
- Venture off the usual routes to explore the Mapuzi Caves hike. This 2-hour hike takes you through rugged cliff edges, guiding adventurers to awe-inspiring caves.
- Do a Xhosa Village tour to experience vibrant culture and time-honoured traditions.
- Coffee Bay beach is a must-do and a walk to the famous “hole-in-the-wall” is almost mandatory!
- Visit the beaches of the wild coast, go hiking and see the nature reserves.
Eating out in Coffee Bay
Dine at Zac’s Seafood Kitchen, Friends Wild Coast Cafe and Sunset Sushi & Grill.
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a quieter beach town than its neighbour, Margate, which is commercial enough these days to compare itself to the UK’s Margate. Set on the Hibiscus Coast, south of Durban, it’s lovely little town and perfect for seaside holidays.
Things To Do in Ramsgate
- Visit the beaches of Lucien beach, Margate and Ramsgate beaches. All are popular.
- Play a round of golf at Southbroom golf course or any number of beaches on the South Coast, sometimes called the golf coast.
- Browse at your leisure in the Gaze Gallery and see some of South Africa’s best-known artists and potters, including Barry Dibb and David Walters.
- One of the most popular attractions, Riverbend Crocodile farm is home to over 200 adult Nile crocodiles, numerous juveniles and a number of bird species.
- Don’t miss the Waffle House. Waffles freshly made to order using the finest ingredients.
- Kids will enjoy the facts and the interaction with the butterflies at Butterfly Farm.
- If you’re here between May and July, watch the press for details of The Sardine Run. It’s the annual migration of sardines along South Africa’s east coast and is quite a spectacle to behold.
Eating Out in Ramsgate
Try out The Waffle House, C-Bali Restaurant and Beach Bar and The Packshed, all highly rated on TripAdvisor.
Ballito
You might want to avoid Ballito during December, but otherwise it’s one of the best swimming experiences on the Dolphin Coast north of Durban. With plenty of hotels along its beach, and perfect for anyone after a typical beachside holiday.
Things To Do in Ballito
- Walk the Ballito Promenade, where you’ll share space with runners, dog walkers, leisurely strollers and families enjoying the views, sunshine and looking for the perfect sunbathing spot.
- Spend the day sun tanning or building sandcastles at Willard beach, Thompson’s Bay or Clarke Bay beach.
- Take the Kids to Flag Farm Animal Farm where they can enjoy learning how to milk a cow and feed or cuddle other tame farm animals.
- There are various operators offering Microlight Flights and Skydiving along the Dolphin Coast.
- The Sugar Rush Park is spacious, big enough for parents to play with their little ones. They can ride their bikes, run around, climb the jungle gyms, challenge each other to races and much more.
- North of Ballito is Salt Rock Beach where the surf is great for surfers and for swimmers the tidal pool is a good option when the sea is too rough for swimming in.
- Go snorkelling! The coast around Ballito offers amazing snorkelling with well over 150 species of reef fish and wide array of other marine life. We recommend Tidal Tao.
- The beaches are perfect for snorkelling and swimming in the waves.
- Learn to surf with Ballito Surf School. Various programs available for all ages.
- Visit Ballito Farmers Market on weekends and public holidays. The market offers a unique and entertaining experience with over 150 traders.
- If you love malls, the Ballito Junction and Ballito Lifestyle Centre should satisfy all your shopping desires.
- Holla Trails is a mountain bike and trail running trails system traversing 42 working farms just outside Ballito and consisting of 340 km of marked trails.
Eating Out in Ballito
There are really so many options for eating out in Ballito, it’s difficult to narrow it down to a few. Try Casa Nostra if you’re craving Pizza or Italian, Mozambik for a seafood feast and Fiamma’s or Al Pescatore will leave you satisfied too.
Umdloti
Umdloti enjoys a sub-tropical climate which makes it a popular all-year-round seaside resort. Umdloti’s climate is often described as a “never ending summer”. Known as the Dolphin Coast because of the many pods of these engaging mammals that patrol these waters, some frolicking, some surfing the waves, others performing acrobatics for out-and-out pleasure.
Things To Do in Umdloti
- Water sports include surfing, windsurfing, paddle and jet ski-ing.
- Umdloti’s primary beaches are shark netted and protected by proficient lifeguards.
- Enjoy an evening picnic or a few sundowners at the Lake Victoria Conservancy in Mount Moreland and witness the spectacle of the Mount Moreland Swallows.
- Visit the beautiful Umdloti beach and tidal pool for beach time fun.
- Once-in-a-lifetime microlight trips range from a few minutes to an hour long and give adventurers the opportunity to soar over the magnificent landscapes.
- The Umdloti Coastal Conservancy is made up of three separate beaches. These are Selection, Newsel and Umdloti. The beaches are clean and vast, making for breath-taking spots in which to tan, play sports or enjoy picnics with family or friends.
Eating Out in Umdloti
For a good meal try Bel Punto, SandBar Restaurant & Cocktail Bar and Mundo Vido. All are highly rated on TripAdvisor.
St Lucia
South Africa’s east coast is the tiny beachside town of St Lucia, surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, making it something of a ‘doorway’ town. It’s quiet and unassuming with ample tropical vegetation, wetlands and beautiful beaches.
Things To Do in St Lucia
- The St Lucia estuary is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and includes fishing, hiking tours, boat tours and a crocodile centre.
- Go horse riding in iSimangaliso Park with Bhangazi Horse Safaris, an incredible corner of Africa, a classified UNESCO World Heritage Area.
- Visit Cape Vidal Lighthouse, a twenty-three-meter-high lighthouse made of a round reinforced concrete tower coated in a distinctive yellow paint to guarantee its visibility against its forest dense background and ocean deep foreground.
- Whale Watching with St Lucia Charters
- Go on a whale watching adventure with qualified crew has a treasure-house full of knowledge about the whales. An up close and personal experience from as close as 50m’s, which will leave you with fond memories.
- Book a tour with any number of operators in the village into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, who have experience with the area and know where to go to maximise the experience. There are many tour and charter companies of excellent repute operating from the village, who will be delighted to accompany you.
- Tucked away in St Lucia at the end of McKenzie Street you will find the most wonderful market. At St Lucia Market you can find a vast selection of curios and fresh produce.
- A few hiking trails worth mentioning include Igwala Gwala Forest Trail (named after the purple crested turaco), the Mziki Trail and the Emoyeni Trail.
- The St Lucia Estuary is home to the highest concentration of Hippos in South Africa.
Eating Out in St Lucia
Braza, Reef & Dune and Alfredo’s Restaurant appear to be the best options in the town. If you know of any restaurants you feel are worth recommending, please do let us know, so we can add them to our list.
Other “Best Of” Lists you might find interesting:
- 50 of the most unique accommodation options in South Africa
- Find a Bath With A View for the Ultimate Getaway
- The 30 Best Small Towns in South Africa
- Mountain View Cottages where you can catch your breath
- Top places to stay on the Cape West Coast
- Your Cape Town Dream Awaits: The best places to stay in the Atlantic Seaboard
Which are your favourite Small Beach Towns in South Africa?
Please Note:
This is our current list of the Best SMALL Beach Towns in South Africa ~ it is NOT intended as a definitive list or some sort of competition, but a recommendation to explore more … our top choices to explore in 2024! Send us your attraction or restaurant recommendations if you’d like them added.
