Southbroom, on KZN’s South Coast, is known for its three beautiful beaches, child-friendly tidal pools and lagoons, and breathtaking sea views.
Southbroom, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, 140km away from Durban, is a picturesque village tucked between the Mbizane and Umkobi rivers.
With a history dating back to 1884, Southbroom is known for its three beautiful beaches, child-friendly tidal pools and lagoons, and breathtaking sea views. A climate that’s summery all year long and the warm Indian Ocean make enjoying water sports on the beach, such as swimming, snorkelling, diving, surfing, paddling and kitesurfing, the most popular way to spend the day. The Southbroom Golf Course (rated one of the finest holiday courses in the country); the nearby San Lameer, Selborne and Wild Coast courses; and numerous hiking and biking trails make the area paradise for local and foreign holidaymakers.
Southbroom has a 4km stretch of beach, protected coastal bush, and is not scarred by high-rise hotels and apartment blocks. “There’s constant investment in the upgrade and renovation of private homes and talk of developing a retirement home,” says resident Barbara Reynolds.
“Surrounding the superb golf course, tennis courts and bowling club are quality homes set in well-maintained gardens, interspersed with parks and open spaces,” says Barbara.
While freehold residential values have increased approximately 12% from 2012 to 2017, Southbroom still claims the lowest crime rate on the coast thanks to a strong community policing forum and vigilant residents, helped perhaps by the fact that it’s not directly on the N2.
The tight-knit local community helps at carnivals and the conservancy, and everything from breeding chameleons to sightings of loggerhead turtles nesting on the beaches is cherished and protected. A warm welcome is extended to visitors, and the Southbroom Bowling and Tennis clubs are known to be lively and social.
“With a library, a strong ratepayers’ association and conservation group, Southbroom is treasured by the local community. We’re proud of our village which allows us to live in 21st century times with digital offerings, but still with some old-time charm and values,” says Barbara.
I have watched Southbroom, long known as the jewel of the South Coast, manage to preserve its unique, semi-rural, village atmosphere.
-Barbara Reynolds, Resident.
Things to do:
- Beaches and beach walks.
- Golf - play the Big Four.
- Sardine Run - an unforgettable exhibition of billions of glittering sards, frolicking dolphins and plunge-diving gannets.
- Riverbend Crocodile Farm - for a feeding frenzy, visit on a Sunday at 15h00.
- Tennis and bowls.
Dine out
- Yaya’s
- La Trattoria at Umkobi Beach
- Riptide at Main Beach
- Fish in the Net
Nature nearby:
- Birding year round, barn swallows at sunset, November to March
- Frederika Nature Preserve: 8ha of mature, virgin dune forest, home to species including blue duiker and bushbuck.
- Whale watching – June to November
- Bushbuck Trail
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
