Great beach: Kasouga, Sunshine Coast

If there were a “great beach” Oscar then Kasouga, near Port Alfred, would be a clear favourite. The
usual phrases like “soaring white dunes” and “azure sea” come to mind, but it’s more than that.
It is remarkable. On a calm day, Kasouga is what little beaches want to be when they grow up.
The path to the beach flanks a wide lagoon – the mouth of the Kasouga River. Sun dances on the
surface of the water and small fish dart from your shadow. When you get to the sea, take a look around: pure, unspoilt nothing in all directions. Enjoy.

See

If you face the sea and look left, you’ll see a dark shape in the waves about a kilometre down
the beach. Although it looks like a shipwreck it’s actually a rock, but another kilometre beyond the rock is a real wreck – the Cape St Blaize, a trawler that ran aground in 1965. Although all 13 crew members were saved, it proved too much effort to salvage the vessel. If you’re feeling energetic, take a stroll to the wreck. The fishing there is great too.

Do

Swim. But be careful – there are no lifeguards at Kasouga and the beach is deserted, long and exposed, which means there could be dangerous currents. Stick to the shallows or – even better – wallow in the clear, warm lagoon.

Don't

Spoil the place. Take all your rubbish away with you and save your New Year’s Eve party for Margate.

Where is it?

The turn-off to Kasouga is on the R72, 18km from Port Alfred and 11km from Kenton on Sea. Follow the little dirt road to paradise.

Go! says:

Don’t skimp on time here; give yourself at least a day to explore Kasouga properly.

The runner-up

Mpande, Wild Coast
Even during the holiday season it’s quiet at Mpande. Green hills hug the long golden beach and the only sounds you’ll hear are crashing waves and maybe a few young boys kicking a soccer ball. Get up early, run down the hill and watch the sun rise over the Indian Ocean.

Where is it?
Take the R61 from Mthatha to Port St Johns (80km), and follow the road south along the coast.
Mpande beach is roughly 20km from Port St Johns.

Related articles:
Good, better, beach!
Malawi: Lazy, laid-back lakeland

Published 2 December 2009

Back to destinations | Back to top

Comments

Submitted on 31 January 2010 | 07:56:36

Absolutely spectacular place - one of the best beaches I have ever seen. Also reputed to be the oldest seaside resort in the country. Cape St Blaize was cut in half by blowtorch and the front half dragged down the beach by bulldozers - I watched it all as a child - the bulldozers left scars on the flat rocks near shiprock that remain today - they found the back half of the ship too heavy and just abandoned it - the front half is mostly buried and the last few bits of it remain at the swimming beach.