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File image| The Durban beachfront.
The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast has seen an influx of holidaymakers, with some hospitality establishment owners saying they are already fully booked over the festive period.
Many say they enjoy the safe swimming conditions, clean shorelines and amenities of the seven Blue Flag beaches in the area.
The sun, sea and sand are drawing visitors from across the country to these picturesque parts of the province.
The region’s beaches, including Ramsgate, Margate and Marina Beach, continue to attract families looking for a relaxing and affordable holiday experience.
Several of these beaches proudly hold Blue Flag status, an international recognition awarded for high environmental standards and safety. Families enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach.
Lifeguards have had a busy time over the past few days and have had to rescue bathers in rough conditions.
Lifeguard Edwin Lang says with regards to the spring tide, currents are generally stronger, the soil picks up a lot, and with the soil picking up, one will find that the currents get stronger with the bigger waves.
“If it’s small waves, the currents are not so bad, but we’ve got quite a bit of big waves running here today. So, it makes it that much more difficult for the bathers and for the lifeguards too. But we’re trying our best just to keep everybody in shallow waters. We want everybody just to go home safely and happily,” adds Lang.
Video| Holidaymakers flock to popular festive destinations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3_wUbycZfk
Holiday establishments at Scottburgh beach say they are fully booked.
Ricardo Harilal from Blue Marlin Hotel says, “We are situated at the beach, so we offer our surfing, snorkeling, beach activities such as volleyball, soccer. So, we have had a busy season so far, of course, the season is still going. We are actually quite fortunate to be on one of the best beaches on the south coast.”
Other business owners say they were expecting far more visitors than they’ve seen up to now. However, they hope to succeed in achieving a blue flag status at Scottburgh beach to help attract more visitors in future.
Cafe owner Stu Irvin says as a coastal town, they survive off holidays saying that without holidays, their businesses would not exist while maintaining that they need everyone to come down and support them.
“This is not a blue flag beach at present; it is piloted for a blue flag status. As you can see, this beach is amazing. What layout beach do you get along the Natal south coast that has this kind of amphitheatre? I mean the amount of grass space you’ve got here, then this bay here with the sand, with the rocks protecting. It’s an amazing beach for holidaymakers, it makes it very safe for swimming,” says Irvin.
Informal traders who sell their wares on the beach are also pinning their hopes on a bumper season.
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