Which ZA seaside town to visit in December 2026

[vigras rojara]

Thanks for the heads up - I trust you as a man of wealth (?) and taste

EDIT: Looks good.

I stayed there a few years ago over Christmas and New Year. Soooo chilled with buck roaming around etc. It's also access controlled, so very safe.

Just rustic and peaceful really.

 

[B-1]

Probably 10th to 20th or thereabouts. Yeah don't think Xmas/New Year would be a good idea.

You pretty much lose beach access on the 16th and 17th on much of the east coast.

Port Alfred is great but starting to get on the far side but your dates should be better traffic wise and doable in a single day.
The usual Margate, balito, sodwana, cape Vidal, kosi bay east coast options will work if you plan non beach days on the 16th/17th.
There is also coffee bay if you are looking for something more rural.

 

[maumau]

I stayed there a few years ago over Christmas and New Year. Soooo chilled with buck roaming around etc. It's also access controlled, so very safe.

Just rustic and peaceful really.

That's perfect, I've emailed one or two places to see if they have vacancies.

 

[maumau]

Are you people planning to fly to the nearest airport close to the holiday spot or planning to drive from JHB? The roads are horrific , even worse that time if the year if planning to drive.

Nail on head about the roads

Unfortunately IF we go it will be by car and the roads are another thing to worry about.

 

[maumau]

You pretty much lose beach access on the 16th and 17th on much of the east coast.

Port Alfred is great but starting to get on the far side but your dates should be better traffic wise and doable in a single day.
The usual Margate, balito, sodwana, cape Vidal, kosi bay east coast options will work if you plan non beach days on the 16th/17th.
There is also coffee bay if you are looking for something more rural.

Agree, according to Google it's about 1 000k or 10/11 hoursISH.

That's equivalent to a long haul flight and probably as uncomfortable - nevermind the pressure on the driver navigating our roads as Red Viking pointed out.

 

[Grant]

That's perfect, I've emailed one or two places to see if they have vacancies.

if you want quiet - and somewhat rustic - a house i used to own in Umdloti is now on airbnb.
the house is at the end of north beach rd - no passing traffic.
it is opp the beach - only a thin road separating the place from the beach sand.
wake up with the sound of the waves, go to sleep with the sound of the waves.
there is a swimming beach nearby (alongside the lifesaving club), and tidal pool.
dolphins swimming a little offshore are a very regular sight.
umdloti is close to umhlanga - for restaurants / shopping.

Villa in Umdloti · ★4.7 · 3 bedrooms · 4 beds · 3 baths

Ocean's Edge

www.airbnb.co.za

 

[robinsonia]

Easy

Morgan Bay Tourism

The peaceful seaside holiday village on South Africa's stunning Wild Coast

morganbay.co.za

Very safe, great village vibe with lots to do over December. Loads of accommodation options, lots of places to see, restaurants, hikes, short walks. It’s Wild coast but very safe.

Fly in to East London and take a shuttle or rent a car - it’s under 80km drive / 1hr from the airport.

There’s a hotel and plenty BnB.

Hike to the cape Morgan lighthouse, see Khoi middens on the Krantze, walk to Double Mouth / treasure beach where you can take home a few carnelian beads, money cowries and shards of ming porcelain from the early 1600s wreck of the Santo Esperanto.

If you’re a horse fan do some horse riding on the beach. There’s an 18 hole golf course in neighbouring Kei Mouth.

Whales and Dolphins will be around over December so if you get a place with a sea view, you'll have loads to entertain yourself with. Some of the exceptional properties here:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/ankervas.en-gb.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/cherry-on-top-morgan-bay.en-gb.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/morgan-bay.en-gb.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/the-sullies.en-gb.html

https://www.booking.com/hotel/za/mitford-marula.en-gb.html

Book early!

 

[The_Ogre]

If those kids have never seen a beach, just take them to that fake thing you okes have up there.

If they complain about it not looking authentic, tell them to stop believing everything they see on TV.

Then tell them to finish up before the lions come.

 

[shinji]

if you want quiet - and somewhat rustic - a house i used to own in Umdloti is now on airbnb.
the house is at the end of north beach rd - no passing traffic.
it is opp the beach - only a thin road separating the place from the beach sand.
wake up with the sound of the waves, go to sleep with the sound of the waves.
there is a swimming beach nearby (alongside the lifesaving club), and tidal pool.
dolphins swimming a little offshore are a very regular sight.
umdloti is close to umhlanga - for restaurants / shopping.


View attachment 1936237

View attachment 1936238

Villa in Umdloti · ★4.7 · 3 bedrooms · 4 beds · 3 baths

Ocean's Edge

www.airbnb.co.za

Whoa, love Umdloti! {waayyyy too many late nights at the Bush with Rob and co.}

I second Umdloti - might be a bit hectic during the dates mentioned by OP, but man that place can be sooo chill in the week.

 

[maumau]

if you want quiet - and somewhat rustic - a house i used to own in Umdloti is now on airbnb.
the house is at the end of north beach rd - no passing traffic.
it is opp the beach - only a thin road separating the place from the beach sand.
wake up with the sound of the waves, go to sleep with the sound of the waves.
there is a swimming beach nearby (alongside the lifesaving club), and tidal pool.
dolphins swimming a little offshore are a very regular sight.
umdloti is close to umhlanga - for restaurants / shopping.


View attachment 1936237

View attachment 1936238

Villa in Umdloti · ★4.7 · 3 bedrooms · 4 beds · 3 baths

Ocean's Edge

www.airbnb.co.za

Thanks Grant, this sure looks tempting, 600k as opposed to 1000k from JHB and quick Google shows it might be available so I've sent an email.

Checking in Kasouga too but so far no luck.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Ai jai jai... all the tourists and Gautengers are going to be in my town soon again :/
Have to then deal with their poor manners on the roads and on the beach.
No this year I am just going to stay at home and not go anywhere. Checkers sixty60 can deliver everything we need.

 

[maumau]

Ai jai jai... all the tourists and Gautengers are going to be in my town soon again :/
Have to then deal with their poor manners on the roads and on the beach.
No this year I am just going to stay at home and not go anywhere. Checkers sixty60 can deliver everything we need.

Excuse-moi! I have impeccable manners on the beach.
.
.
.
.
not so much on the roads.

 

[I.am.Sam]

if Cape Town (and presumably then the Western Cape) is out of the question due to distance and your starting point is JHB there really is no debate to be had

your question should be: which KZN seaside town to visit

yeah you cant bring people to cape town for seaside holiday

cpt water is kark

wind can make a seaside holiday very kark

cpt doesnt have fishing like kzn and you cant really do watersports here like kzn side

cpt does have the women though

but for a family holiday i would do kzn durban north coast side ..zimbali even

 

[I.am.Sam]

As long as it isn't crowded but I imagine KZN's always busy in December

depends ..but lately kzn hasnt been crazy crowded in dec

well i was there last year before xmas and was dead

year before it was new years time and was dead

jhb people coming to cpt more cos of the sea in dbn that was full of kark

 

[rh1]

Anywhere on the West Coast, the water along the whole coast is invigorating and refreshingly crisp. Your visitors will thank you!

 

[Flanders]

We have a family place in Umzumbe, KZN south coast. Very chilled, small town vibe. Blue flag beach status with lifeguards on duty etc. There is no commerce in the town (shops are a short drive either north or south) which means no hordes of people generally - especially over festive season. I would think accomodation is generally cheaper than KZN north coast. There is the Pumula Hotel which is nice but couldn't tell you pricing and could be hard to get a booking now but I'm sure there are airbnbs etc. to be had. Also chalets available.

 

[AstroTurf]

Went to Ramsgate last year, was quite nice.

 

[I.am.Sam]

does south coast still have water issues ?

 

[Flanders]

does south coast still have water issues ?

As in water supply issues? Most places have jojo'd up long ago. Where we are they do have issues from time to time but generally paid accomodation will have it covered.

 

[rustypup]

your question should be: which KZN seaside town to visit

Mozambique also in range and comes with added excitement?