Self-catering accommodation in South Coast
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
The last time I visited the Port Shepstone area was in 2016. It was Easter, and I remember going to the Waffle House in Ramsgate. That’s about as much as stuck.
This time around, we were invited by my godparents who were visiting the country had booked self-catering accommodation in the South Coast, Whales Tail.
We were still based in Joburg, so we decided to drive down. Flights just weren’t making sense with petrol prices doing the absolute most lately.
We left at 02:00 in the morning, on a Friday because we needed to be online and working by 09:00. Everything went surprisingly smoothly, except for a slight detour near Harrismith because of a truck protest. Nothing too chaotic, just a bit of a reroute.
We reached Ballito at around 09:15, worked the day, and then headed off again at 17:00 to finish the last stretch to Port Shepstone. That drive is so green and lush. You’re basically alongside the ocean and catching little glimpses of it as you go. It felt oddly familiar, like I’d been there before but couldn’t quite place it.
The house we stayed in had its own entrance to the beach, which was a dream. Since we came fully stocked with groceries for Orthodox Easter, we didn’t have a reason to leave the house. So I can’t say much about Port Shepstone as a town, only what we passed through.
What I can say is that the beaches are beautiful and mostly clean. There’s a strong fishing community, so you’ll often spot people casting their lines, which adds to the whole atmosphere. Also, beachgoers love their dogs. A lot of them are off-lead, so if you’re bringing your own, just keep that in mind. Maybe pack a harness if that’s usually your vibe.
Because we were so close to the ocean, we had a few unexpected visitors. Crabs. On the property. One even made its way into the house. Harmless, yes, but also my first time experiencing that kind of “nature is really right here” moment. Lol.
The water is warm and super refreshing, but it’s not the calmest. There are strong currents and quite a few rocks, so just be mindful of where you swim. If you’re not the strongest swimmer, rather wait for low tide.
Overall, the area is honestly beautiful. From what I’ve heard, there’s quite a bit to do as well, we just didn’t get around to it this time. It feels like one of those easy, more affordable getaways where you can slow down, be with your people, and enjoy nature without overcomplicating things.
View my summary video of the weekend here:
