Leisure Bay
Leisure Bay, on the lower south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, nestles in amongst Glenmore Beach, Munster, Palm Beach and Trafalgar Beach, one more little seaside village that beckons with unspoilt swimming beaches, gorgeous sub-tropical vegetation, rock and surf fishing, surfing, boogie boarding, sun bathing and snorkelling.
Leisure Bay, with access to Kidds, Glenmore and Peter Pan Beaches, promises the type of beachside holiday we all hanker after. Hours of uninterrupted surf, sunshine, book reading time with only a quick stroll from one's accommodation to the beach, most of which have views of the sea and certainly the sound of the sea to which one can fall asleep at night.
Rock pools, sand dunes covered in indigenous vegetation, fresh fish for supper and little to think about or organise but the easy fall-out-of-bed-breakfast-and-onto-the-beach scenario that Leisure Beach, just 20 minutes away from Shelly Beach, promises.
If the continuous beach life does not grab you, there are numerous other activities for the family, including a clamber over rocks to Glenmore Beach, and the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve - virtually an unknown paradise that is wonderful for hikers and boasts amazing waterfalls and rainforest. Trails include a selection of hikes that range from easy to achieve in an hour to the roughly six-hour Nkonka Trail.
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South Coast Beaches
The South Coast of South Africa boasts spectacular beaches, and weather to boot. The warm Indian Ocean waters and the long stretches of sand make for the ideal conditions in which to swim, surf, snorkel, and suntan. The South Coast is also home to a number of Blue Flag beaches, which means that these ones have met the strict criteria and are in line with some of the finest beaches around the world.
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South Coast Birding Route
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The South Coast Birding Route is a sub-section of the Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route, which boasts not only all three of the country's crane species (blue, grey crowned, and wattled) but also includes the rare blue swallow, the crowned eagle, bearded vulture, mangrove kingfisher and the southern bald ibis. And a lot more besides.
It is one of two major birding routes of the province. The Southern KwaZulu-Natal Birding Route is extensive, incorporating beaches, forests, the Lowveld and the Drakensberg Mountains - a terrain of such extensive variety that it is not surprising to learn that it holds in excess of 550 bird species. Which is why the route is subdivided into five shorter routes, making it easier for bird lovers to follow and to easily divide up to suit itineraries.
Umtamvuna Game Reserve
Umtamvuna is a treasure house of rare and endemic trees and plant species in a diversity of habitats, with spectacular wild flower displays after the spring rains.
The reserve has the best nature walks along the KwaZulu Natal coastline, with several marked trails to explore. A large colony of the endangered Cape Vulture can be observed on their nesting sites.
A small picnic site is situated above the office within the reserve, and a day visit is a rewarding experience. No accommodation is available in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve but excellent accommodation is plentiful in the nearby towns.