• Port Edward

    Port Edward is the last/first South African town before entering the Wild Coast, so it's a little more rugged than towns a few kilometres up the road, and yet a lot more developed than anything in the Wild Coast.
  • Leisure Bay

    Leisure Bay is just a short drive from Port Edward, the gateway to the Wild Coast.
  • Southbroom

    A stunning golf course, great beach, snake park, croc park and one of the finest shoe-makers in the country..
  • Trafalgar

    Trafalgar’s marine reserve protects the only marine fossil beds in South Africa.
  • Ramsgate KZN

    This flourishing holiday resort has boating on the lagoon and river, protected sea bathing, fishing and a fine beach.
  • Oribi Gorge

    This spectacular gorge is one of the South Coast highlights.
  • Port Shepstone

    Port Shepstone has an excellent golf course, varied coastal and river mouth fishing, a tidal pool and sandy beach and is the gateway to Oribi Gorge.
  • Umtentweni

    A sweet little seaside town with warm surf and a quiet soul.
  • Banana Beach

    Banana Beach is aptly named for the profusion of wild strelitzia (banana) which are found growing locally.
  • Scottburgh/Park Rynie

    Close to great scuba diving at Landers Reef and Aliwal Shoal, this is a good stop for underwater enthusiasts.
  • Umkomaas

    A small, relaxed seaside town, Umkomaas is home to the Aliwal Shoal – one of the world’s top 10 dive spots.
  • Warner Beach

    Warner Beach is just south of the airport and the buzz of the city of Durban.
  • Paddock

    Paddock is close to Oribi Gorge

You are here: | All regions | South Coast | Margate

Margate

Margate is the quintessential South Coast holiday town.

Lotsa fun

Margate is the capital of the “Hibiscus Coast” and one of the bigger towns on the South Coast. Close to the Protea Banks Reef where you can dive with sharks (not sit in a cage and look at them), Margate is also near a bunch of beaches with great surf breaks.

there are no backpackers in town but you can try Port Shepstone or Southbroom. 

Great diving!
Protea Banks is situated 10km from Margate and is one of the top shark dive spots in the world. Just so you know, you need an advanced diving certificate or 20 logged dives to dive the Protea Banks. You can do dive courses – ask at your hostel.
Surf around Margate
• Margate is surfed off the Point and in a north–easter off the north end of the beach. • Lucien Beach has a big shore break and is good body surfing territory. • St Michael’s is a grinding reef-point-beach break that cooks. It hits the corner of a tidal pool and screams into the beach. Gets really good. Water can be murky. But a really fine wave, very popular. • Southbroom has good sand-bottomed rights break off a large round rock-fringed grassy hill. Very popular with travelling surfers because it’s easy to find and easy to park.
 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

The Hippo Backpackers
A great backpacking hostel in the centre of Port Elizabeth.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)

Obviouzly Armchair
In the centre of the vibey student town of Ob's
(Observatory,Cape Town)

Mdumbi Backpackers
In the Mdumbi River valley in the heart of rural Transkei, this small settlement on the coast has brilliant surf and great fishing. As there’s only one small shop, we suggest that self-caterers stock up before arriving.
(Coffee Bay,Wild Coast)

Safari Accommodation

(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)

Mokolodi Backpackers
This Botswana backpackers is only 10km outside the city of Gaborone and in the bush.
(Gaborone,Botswana)

Shoestrings
Bright, friendly and with an essential swimming pool.
(Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe and Zambia)

The Sanctuary
Be king of the hill for a day or three.
(Bethlehem,Free State)

Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve
A huge game conservancy
(Hectorspruit,Mpumalanga)

Kosi Bay Inn
A great opportunity for backpackers to visit an unspoilt part of South Africa
(Kosi Bay,Zululand)

Pub Crawl South Africa
A safe way to get around Jo'burgs night time hotspots.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)