The South African summer was made for travel! It’s the time to plan for road trips, enjoy beach days and great weather. As South Africans, we’re blessed with 2500 km of beautiful coastline that is just begging to be explored.

With so many beautiful beaches on offer it might be hard to know where to visit first. Here are some of our favourite spots that have to be on your coastal bucket list.

SEDGEFIELD

Sedgefield is the ultimate beach town that has it all; long stretches of perfect beaches, a lovely lagoon and the most relaxed vibe you can find anywhere. It’s also the perfect place to visit while you explore everything else the Garden Route has to offer. Sedgefield has also become a hub for thrill seekers who love kitesurfing and paragliding. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there’s always a beach, a golf course or some great accommodation where you can chill just around the corner.

UMHLANGA

Umhlanga doesn’t fit into the ‘best kept secret’ of holiday getaways, it’s in a class of its own. How many places can feel like a beach town while being only a 15-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of a major city? This makes Umhlanga the best choice for those who don’t like roughing it too much. If you’re wanting a beach holiday, but you also want to eat amazing food at top restaurants and shop till you drop, then Umhlanga is for you. There’s warm beaches, the famous Umhlanga pier, the lighthouse, great restaurants, the Gateway Shopping Centre and hotels placed in the middle of all the action. Umhlanga shows us that sometimes, just sometimes, you can have it all!

COFFEE BAY

Famous for the hole in the wall rock formation, Coffee Bay is another coastal gem that you can’t miss. Steeped in history, the bay got its name from a sunken ship that was transporting coffee beans which washed up onto the shore. This might be the best spot for those that love dreamy scenery and relaxation. It’s got the perfect scenic vibe for those who want to have a stress-free holiday and get away from it all for a while. This should definitely be near the top of your ‘must visit’ list.

HERMANUS

Hermanus will always be one of our favourites, mainly because we love having a whale of a good time! But seriously, we do love getting out and experiencing nature and seeing as Hermanus is one of the top 12 places in the world to see whales, we think it’s always worth a mention. You can view the massive creatures from the local beach, from a boat or even get an aerial view from a chartered airplane.

If whale watching isn’t your idea of a perfect getaway, you can enjoy wandering around the local art galleries, restaurants, local fishing village and boutiques.

There are plenty more hidden gems dotted around the country and everybody has their favourite. These are some of ours, but we’d love to know some of yours. Use #MyCityStay to share your best pics with us.