Sapphire Coast Attractions Draw in Crowds Over the 2024 Festive Season

The sunny skies, warm water, welcoming community, and great events saw holidaymakers flocking to the Sapphire Coast in KZN this festive season. All ages and interests were kept engaged, with the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme from 27 to 31 December a big hit!

“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in making this another superb summer holiday on the Sapphire Coast, from our local communities to the businesses who came on board to sponsor our seaside programme,” commented Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast Tourism. “There are so many great attractions on the Sapphire Coast, from our stunning seaside and Aliwal Shoal dive site to our great golfing, birding, hiking, shopping experiences and an array of affordable, but yet exclusive accommodation venues, this is a top holiday destination.”

Seaside sports enthusiasts enjoyed the annual Winkle Toti Winkle Race hosted on 16 December from Winkle Surf Lifesaving Club which included a surfski race, long course beach run, and beach run & walk with lots of entertainment on the day.

Amanzimtoti Main Beach was the place to be with the Don’t Drink and Swim Campaign on 14 December, and the much-anticipated Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme from 27 to 31 December. Here, holidaymakers enjoyed beach Olympics, eating competitions, music, prizes and fun giveaways. Lifesaving South Africa joined the fun with Resci the mascot teaching about water safety; while Durban Tourism ended the last day with great entertainment including breathtaking Zulu dance performances, face painting, fun games and great music vibes. There were great Sapphire Coast Tourism prizes up for grabs such as beach horse ride experiences, reef boat rides, spa treatments, and Crocworld Conservation Centre entry passes…bringing big smiles to beachgoers from far and wide.

For the first time ever, Wheels on Waves hosted the Water Sweets ’24 Games in partnership with Sapphire Coast Tourism at Amanzimtoti Main Beach on 21 and 22 December. This inclusive programme encouraged able-bodied and disabled holidaymakers to participate in beach activities. Making an appearance at this epic holiday event were Seshnei Naidu, the Proteas women’s cricketer; and Jace Govender, SA Surf Casting Champion. The event ended with a Santa Surprise Visit and a festive closing ceremony where Rowen Moodley from Moodley Sands committed to sponsoring an additional Sandcruiser – – floating wheelchairs that allow disabled users to experience the ocean.

Commenting on the Water Sweets Games, event organiser, Reece Smith, said: “The event totally exceeded expectations! It was so heartwarming to see the disabled integrate and compete with the able-bodied participants. The support from the Toti community and holidaymakers was truly awesome and we are fully committed to making this year’s Water Sweets ’25 event bigger and better.”

Smith, himself a quadriplegic, is working with his dad, Wesley, to transform Amanzimtoti Main Beach into an international destination for disabled visitors. Through their Wheels on Waves initiative, they’re raising funds to buy more Sandcruisers – floating wheelchairs that allow disabled users to experience the ocean – which, with the help of local lifeguards, they offer for visitor use free of charge.

Coleen Lindeque, one disabled holidaymaker who visited from Witbank in Mpumalanga, had a memorable experience, saying: “The lifeguards at Amanzimtoti Main Beach were so helpful and took me into the sea for a swim which was amazing for me. My husband and I will make a contribution to Wheels on Waves. This beach is the best of all the beaches for disabled people, I will definitely visit again!”

Storm Schwartz, a resident from Doonside Amanzimtoti, was another thrilled participant in the Water Sweets Games ’24. Despite going completely blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 18, Storm has continued to live life to the full, surfing with Made for More, and completing an impressive 102 Park Runs to date.

He continued his winning ways at the Water Sweets Games ’24, competing in Armed Golf Ball where he got a hole-in-one; competing in the Sports Quiz, and Fishing Competition where he came first having caught six fish; and participating in the Danito Game which is throwing a bean bag onto a round target on the floor.

Speaking afterwards, Storm said: “It was great to know that participants who could see were blindfolded for this activity [Danito Game] which they enjoyed and did really well. This event would never have been made possible without the amazing, dedicated and committed volunteers on two extremely hot days – Wesley and Reece Smith – and fantastic sponsors!”

Thanks were extended to those who sponsored the Sapphire Sizzling Summer programme inclusive of Water Sweets ’24 Games: Chint, and Alpha and Omega Investments (both main sponsors of the Water Sweets ’24 Games), as well as Splash Waterworld and Thirsty Whale, Tiago’s Amanzimtoti, Smartcall, ATKV Natalia, Durban Tourism, +Group Properties, The Beverage Company, Gary’s Horses Amanzimtoti, Limax Security Specialists, Aliwal Dive Centre, The Bali Grand Lodge and Spa, Crocworld Conservation Centre, Funland Entertainment Centre, The Surfing Bean and Build It Shallcross.

With the upcoming Easter Holidays another busy time of year, sponsorship opportunities are available for community-minded corporates. Contact Sapphire Coast Tourism to get involved, support, and showcase your business.

Durban Tourism Business Awards 2025

Sapphire Coast Tourism is also calling on all local tourism products, entrepreneurs, crafters, and more to enter the 4th edition of the Durban Tourism Business Awards. This is a great opportunity to fly the Sapphire Coast Tourism flag high and showcase the many great tourism offerings within the region. The awards recognise excellence and innovation in the tourism sector with entries running until 23 February 2025. To enter, visit www.durbantourismawards.com.

Note that certain categories require Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) membership, but local businesses can still apply for Sapphire Coast Tourism membership to enter. Simply contact Romy Wenzel on 083 733 6468 or romywenzel@gmail.com or info@sapphirecoasttourism.co.za.

Sapphire Coast Tourist Sites and Activities

Outside of the scheduled events, there is so much to see and do on the Sapphire Coast!

• Amanzimtoti Main Beach which includes fun slides at Splash Water World, a variety of restaurants, takeaways, and shops with local traders selling beautiful crafts and curios along the promenade.
• Wheels on Waves ensure accessible tourism at Amanzimtoti Main Beach with disabled-friendly facilities such as the Sandcruiser floating chair. This service is offered free of charge but bookings are essential – contact Wesley Smith on 082 802 1348 or Reece on 066 439 8287 or email rollingwithreece@gmail.com.
• Charter boats for a day of deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, shark cage diving and/or snorkelling at Aliwal Shoal, a world-renowned dive site.
• Horse rides on the beach with experienced guides catering for a range of abilities.
• Crocworld Conservation Centre where the oldest known Nile crocodile in captivity lives – the world-famous Henry, as well as the newly launched aerial zipline Jikaleza Outdoor Adventures.
• Illovo River is another top spot for water sports, fishing, birding, and picnics.
• Umkomaas Golf Club or Amanzimtoti Country Club for a round on the 18-hole course or a drink or meal at the club.
• Nature walks, hikes and birdwatching are available with Nungwane Waterfalls in the heart of Umbululu a great attraction for nature lovers, whether experienced on horseback, 4×4, or mountain bike.

For more information contact info@sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za.

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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Sapphire Coast.