Hibberdene, KwaZulu Natal
The Coast of Many Colours
Quite simply, the very last word in gracious and relaxed subtropical seaside living, plus thrilling, adrenalin-fuelled adventures to boot! Living up to its name, our southernmost Hibiscus Coast dazzles with iridescent blooms against a lush green backdrop, meeting a perennially-warm, saltwater playground along 70 kilometres of picture perfect hideaway coves and seemingly endless golden sands.
And while our inviting stretch of Indian Ocean presents the year-round delights of frolicking dolphins and majestic, cruising whales, this enchantment peaks each June or July with 'The Greatest Shoal on Earth' - when we offer the best possible 'ringside' seats for one of nature's truly grand spectaculars. Where else to marvel at 20-thousand dolphins plus thousands of sharks, hundreds of fur seals, uncountable game fish and the occasional whale - all herding and feeding from a millions-strong sardine shoal, while massed squadrons of sea birds rain down from above? This may sound like a fisherman's tale after a long night in the pub, but our Zulu Kingdom's annual winter Sardine Run is a wonder of the world, attracting ever more attention from around the globe.
Speaking of winter, it's readily noticeable that several Hibiscus Coast resorts and hamlets were founded during our Colonial era and named after famous holiday destinations in the 'Olde Country'. Equally quaint and charming, the comparison stops there, however. To begin with, we have good reason to lick a giant ice cream cone while strolling along a seafront promenade in the middle of winter, eyeing the bronzed beach bunnies and graceful, athletic surfers at play! Anglers can stand knee-deep in the shore-break for hours on end, casting lines after some of the most varied and abundant scaled trophies to be hooked anywhere. For scuba divers, a world-class site presents a series of reefs to test the mettle and endurance of even the most experienced underwater fanatic.
Other challenges lie in wait ashore - some with panoramic sea views, others a short distance inland. The latter include white-water rafting, rock-climbing, mountain biking and one of the world's highest abseil and cable-slide locations. Returning ocean-side, two of South Africa's top ten golf courses appear among the Hibiscus Coast's choice of seven - all presenting varied levels of difficulty, but similar in terms of beautiful locations and breathtaking outlooks.
Potential 'golf widows' take heart - we abound in rewarding opportunities to discover the mysteries of Zulu and Indian cultures, shop for authentic handicrafts, browse museums and galleries, visit artists and other creative folk in their inspirational studio retreats, pursue the gentle pastimes of bird watching and shell collecting, or to just watch the passing parade from a sophisticated sidewalk café . On the other hand, pit your luck and holiday money against the casino's one-armed bandits and gaming tables - excitement is guaranteed, but not the rewards!
