A South Coast Road Trip
Usually you would pack a picnic basket when preparing for a road trip; but why waste time? There are plenty of places to find food and refreshments along the way. Just have a shower and get in the car. Actually, if scuba diving is your sport of choice, a bit of planning is advised … pack your gear & book ahead. If you’re a surfer, don’t forget your board and fishing enthusiasts should not leave the rods behind.
This road trip takes you about 150km south, so fill up the car and get onto the N2 towards Port Shepstone.
Shelly Beach
Even though there’s a large tidal pool, this beach is known by ski boat, fishing and scuba diving enthusiasts as the place to head.
This is where you’ll find the launching ramp to dive Protea Banks, a reef about 7.5km offshore advised for only experienced divers. Protea Banks has become known as the best Shark Dive destination in South Africa and one of the best in the world. The Northern Pinnacles has a depth of 30-40m; this part is dived during the winter Raggie season. The Southern Pinnacles has a depth of 20-40m and is where you’ll see the Zambezi (Bull) Shark. The depth of the reef varies from 8m to over 40m.
There are deep sea fishing charters or you can go on a pleasure trip out to sea.
St Michaels On Sea
The large waves and swells makes this a good destination to head for if you’re a surfer. Swimmers enjoy this beach too. There are nice tidal pools and plenty of rocks to stroll along.
Uvongo
Uvongo is named after the Ivungu River. Here you will find a 23m waterfall plunging into a lagoon. The beach is protected by a large rock escarpment and foliage, very good for sunbathing and cooling off in the water. There is a footpath that runs besides the river to the Uvongo River Nature Reserve, a 28ha reserve with 2 hour circular walks – the ideal destination for birders. Between Uvongo and Margate you’ll find the Skyline Nature Reserve with a series of 1-hour self-guided trails.
Margate
We all know about Margate; I can remember that this was the favourite holiday destination for Durbanites when I was a teenager … well, that’s a couple of decades ago, but this remains a good destination for family holidays. It really looks the part as an idyllic resort, complete with palm trees along the beach and umbrellas. There’s a pool along the beach, in case the sea is not your cup of tea. There is a lagoon where you can hire a canoe and waterslides. This is a well-developed town with many restaurants, take-aways and curious.
Ramsgate
The name is derived from the original farm; the fishing is good. End your day trip off with a visit to the Waffle House, established in 1957. From here you can walk to Ramsgate Beach.
Click here to view pictures of Shelly Beach
Click here to view pictures of St Michaels On Sea
Click here to view pictures of Uvongo
Click here to view pictures of Margate
Click here to view pictures of the Waffle House in Ramsgate