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>Sun, surf & golf
From the West Coast's wild stretches of sand to the sub-tropical shores of Maputaland, there's a beach for every reason. Watch the sun rise over the Atlantic or Indian Ocean, work up that perfect tan, or get more active - we offer some of the world's best surfing, windsurfing and diving. And then there's our golf courses...

The beauty of our beaches
What would a holiday be without feeling the sun on your back, the saltwater on your skin and the freedom to just relax? That's the real beauty of beaches. You don't have to do anything. It's the one place where it is perfectly legitimate to just lie around.

Of course, you could read or watch the beautiful people prancing around half-naked. Or eat an ice lolly, or spend time with that special person - just talking and being together. Or watch your children mastering the art of sandcastles or beach bat or boogie boarding.

For a true sun and sea experience, we have some wonderful multi-day coastal hikes.

And the interesting thing about beaches is that there is a different one for every reason.

In Cape Town, try Clifton for the fashionable set; Sandy Bay, our unofficial nudist beach, for the wouldn't-wear-fashion-anyhow set; and Long Beach for the walking. Boulders offers the very best swimming and a possible sub-aqua visit by a curious penguin as a bonus.

Plettenberg Bay has the beautiful Lookout Beach and, for those long walks again, Keurbooms.

In Port Elizabeth, stick to Hobie Beach if you like buzz and burger bars, or head out to Sardinia Bay for miles of virtually deserted snow-white sand.

East London's beaches are a bit crowded, but only a few kilometres from town there are some practically deserted ones. And the whole city of Durban is really just a life support system for the beach.

There's so much to choose from, you may have to try them all. But whatever you do, remember your sunscreen - especially for children.

Golf courses in South Africa
For the golf enthusiast, South Africa is a wonderful destination – and that’s an understatement. The country boasts an ideal climate for spending time out on the fairways under the bright African sun, and golfers here are blessed for choice.

If you enjoy the challenge of a coastal course, there is a stunning selection available; if you prefer playing at altitude, where the ball flies that much further, the selection is just as good.

Probably the most famous golf course in South Africa is the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, home to the Nedbank Golf Challenge that offers the largest first prize of any tournament in the world. However, there are many other world-class courses that have featured on both the European PGA Tour as well as the local Sunshine Tour, not to mention a wealth of excellent courses besides.

South Africa has produced a number of golfers of the highest calibre, including Gary Player, Bobby Locke, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, major winners all - and once you’ve experienced some of the courses we have to offer, you’ll begin to understand why. Start planning your golfing safari now!

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