Hibiscus Coast, KwaZulu-Natal

The Hibiscus Coast is a coastal region in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It forms part of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and is the lower/southern part of the coast and is thus known as the "Lower South Coast".

Hibiscus Coast
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictUgu
MunicipalityRay Nkonyeni
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Hibiscus Coast
Location of the Hibiscus Coast

It is the commercial and administrative hub of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and is dubbed the 'holiday mecca' of KwaZulu-Natal.[1]

Administration

The Hibiscus Coast was previously governed by the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality and the Ezinqoleni Local Municipality until the 2016 municipal elections. As from 3 August 2016 both local municipalities merged and the new municipality was named the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality which is the local municipality governing the Hibiscus Coast.[2]

The district municipality governing the coast is the Ugu District Municipality which governs the entire KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

Geography

The Hibiscus Coast is the southernmost part of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast and stretches from Hibberdene in the north to Port Edward in the south and to Izingolweni in the west.

Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Shelly Beach, Margate, Southbroom and Port Edward form the core of this coastal region.[3]

Climate

The region has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, and mild winters.[4]

Towns

Economy

Port Shepstone is the economic hub of the Hibiscus Coast and houses the head offices of the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality and the Ugu District Municipality and many regional government offices and facilities. It also includes the largest hospital in the region, the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital.[5][6][7][8][9]

Shelly Beach is generally considered to be the retail hub of the Hibiscus Coast however other towns such as Margate and Port Shepstone also features numerous shopping centres and well-equipped private hospitals.[10]

Tourism

Beaches
Marina Beach, Southbroom
Trafalgar Beach, Trafalgar, Southbroom

The Hibiscus Coast has five Blue Flag beaches which include: Hibberdene, Marina Beach, Trafalgar, Southport and Umzumbe. Blue Flag beaches are those that have achieved excellence in water quality and environmental education while adhering to international safety standards.[11]

Attractions
Oribi Gorge

Hibiscus Coast has many attractions because of it being a major tourist destination. Attractions in the coastal region include:

  • Aqua Planet Dive Centre
  • Butterfly Valley
  • Crocworld Conservation Centre
  • Macbutterflies
  • Margate Art Museum
  • Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
  • Port Shepstone Lighthouse
  • Port Edward Lighthouse
  • Pure Venom
  • Red Desert Nature Conservation Area
  • Riverbend Crocodile Farm
  • Stephward Estate Exotic Nursery
  • Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
  • Wild Waves Water Park

Transport

Air

Margate Airport (IATA: MGH ICAO: FAMG), situated in Margate has scheduled flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg. The King Shaka International Airport which is a larger airport north of Durban offers many domestic and international flights.

Road

The region is location at the junction between the R61 and N2. The R61 heads south to Bizana and Mthatha, the N2 heads north to Durban and west to Kokstad and Mthatha and further to East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Other routes in the region include the R620 which connects towns between Port Shepstone and Southbroom and the R102 also heads north to Hibberdene, Scottburgh and Durban.

The vehicle registration plate for the Hibiscus Coast is NPS (Natal Port Shepstone) since the Hibiscus Coast's municipal seat is Port Shepstone.

Marine Life
The annual sardine run

Renowned for the world-famous sardine run, known as “the Greatest Shoal on Earth”, fishermen from all around South Africa flock to the coast during the months of June and July, hoping to catch many fish in this busy fishing period.[12][13]

Whale-watching is another favourite activity during winter and few of the towns and villages such as Ramsgate have erected whale-watching decks, which offer views of these whales and there are several licensed operators that offer boat trips for those who want to get a little closer to the whales.[14]

References
  1. "South Coast | Hibiscus Coast". www.zulu.org.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  2. "It's official: Amalgamated HCM and Ezinqoleni to be called Ray Nkonyeni Municipality – eHowzit". Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  3. "Eish!". www.southafrica.net. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  4. "Tourism Hints for Visitors to the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal". www.zulu.org.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  5. "Port Shepstone Regional Hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  6. "Contact Us". www.rnm.gov.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  7. "Home Contact Us". ugu.gov.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  8. "KwaZulu-Natal Top Business | Ugu District Municipality". kzntopbusiness.co.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  9. "International Development Funding Search | Devex". www.devex.com. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  10. "Hibiscus Coast is coming up roses". www.privateproperty.co.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  11. "SA's 45 Blue Flag beaches for this summer". Getaway Magazine. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  12. "Sardine Run". www.shark.co.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  13. "South Coast | Hibiscus Coast". www.zulu.org.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  14. "Hibiscus Coast is coming up roses". www.privateproperty.co.za. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
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