KZN South Coast offers 6 Blue Flag beaches for your summer holiday

If the gorgeous weather, friendly locals, fabulous golf courses, and value-for-money holiday accommodation are not enough reasons to visit the KZN South Coast, then the coastline’s six Blue Flag beaches should be top of your list this summer.

The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach meets the organisation’s standards of environmental management. To qualify for Blue Flag status, stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.

With over 4500 sites in over 45 countries around the world, Blue Flag is actively contributing to the sustainable development goals. Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment, health threats, depletion of natural resources, environmental threats, pollution and general environmental degradation.

In South Africa, Blue Flag has been operational since 2001 and has proud municipal, marina and tourism boat partners in 18 coastal municipalities around the country. (Wikipedia)

Blue Flag status is assessed annually, and the KZN South Coast is proud to have maintained their flags at these six popular family beaches:

Hibberdene

The gateway to the Hibiscus Coast, Hibberdene beach is famous for the popular Jolly Roger restaurant, and its supertube, trampoline and putt-putt course.

97 km south of Durban, Hibberdene has become a popular – and affordable – holiday destination for local and foreign tourists.

Umzumbe (Pumula)

Umzumbe Beach, sometimes called Pumula Beach, is a beautiful, peaceful family-friendly beach with tidal pools and year-round lifeguards, and its sheltered position makes it ideal for long walks along the unspoilt coastline. A tidal pool and lush vegetation add to the appeal of its quieter, off-the-beaten-track location (although the steep tarred path down to the beach is not wheelchair-friendly).

Southport

Southport Beach (near Umtentweni) is popular with families, bodyboarders and fishermen, and offers a tidal pool, braai and picnic sites under the Milkwood trees, and the legendary Captain’s Anchor seafood restaurant, a great post-beach spot for an ice-cold beer or fish and chips with a view.

Ramsgate

Ramsgate Beach offers something for everyone: a tidal pool, great restaurants (try the Cocktail Deck at the Blue Lagoon for drinks with a view and the iconic Waffle House) as well as the Ramsgate Marine Ramble for runners, walkers and dog owners.

And the Ramsgate Whale Deck is not only great for dolphin and whale viewing; yoga classes with a view are on offer twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday mornings).

Just past the main swimming beach is Ski-boat Bay, host to one of the best little beach restaurants to eat the freshest fish – with your toes in the sand!

Marina Beach

Nestled between popular Southbroom and San Lameer, Marina Beach is a great place to kayak and kiteboard. Featuring a tidal pool and lagoon, this location is ideal for children.

A visit to Marina Beach is not complete without a stop at Mariner’s restaurant, and the Wild Coast Casino is 20 minutes away.

Trafalgar

Just North of Port Edward, Trafalgar Beach has a tidal pool as well as a chlorine swimming pool, and is a tranquil place for family picnics and long walks. Bring your own food and drinks as this is not a beach populated by restaurants and kiosks.

Parts of Trafalgar Beach have been declared a marine reserve – a testament to the unspoilt beauty offered by the area’s lush dune vegetation.

Sasha is a freelance journalist and has a passion for writing, reading, good food and wine. She’s obsessed with the IDEA of healthy eating (as well as chocolate – dark of course) and is always experimenting with alternative health therapies and trying to get the family to eat less sugar. Her best reward at the end of a busy week: a good book or time to sit on the beach and stare at the sea: whichever option is available.