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Head to Amanzimtoti as Sapphire Coast Tourism Unveils Exciting Autumn Event Line-Up

It’s time to get out the calendars because Sapphire Coast Tourism has announced an exciting programme of great events coming up in April and May. From epic surfing events to the sounds of the Scottish Highlands, it’s all happening in Amanzimtoti!

“We’re delighted to announce a fantastic event line-up this Autumn, with visitors and residents of the Sapphire Coast in for a treat,” commented Romy Wenzel of Sapphire Coast Tourism. “This is the ultimate family holiday destination, with our beautiful beaches it’s a tranquil coastal gem indeed, and now there’s even more reason to visit and stay a while.”

Located just 30km south of Durban, Amanzimtoti boasts the perfect blend of accessibility and laid-back coastal charm…close enough to the city, yet far enough to feel like a true seaside escape. Here’s what to expect this Autumn:

Sapphire Coast Easter Praise Festival

  • Date: 25 April 2026
  • Time: From 12pm
  • Venue: Umgababa Beach
  • Tickets: R100 per person | R60 students | R350 VIP
  • Bookings: Available via Computicket
  • Website: www.scepfestival.co.za

A celebration of faith, music, and community set against the beautiful coastline. Festivalgoers can expect an uplifting atmosphere filled with live gospel music, inspirational messages, and a strong sense of community connection set on a scenic beachfront location.

Amanzimtoti Surf Fest 2026

  • Dates: 25–26 April 2026
  • Time: From 8am daily
  • Venue: Amanzimtoti Main Beach
  • Surfer Entry Fee: R70
  • Contact: Rudolph on 064 762 8392 (limited entries available)
  • Hosted by: Shorebreak Surf Club | Supported by: Sapphire Coast Tourism, Spur, East Coast Radio

A high-energy weekend of waves, sport, and seaside entertainment. This licensed surfing competition is open to surfers of all levels, with a top prize of R8 000 up for grabs. Spectators can enjoy thrilling wave action alongside beach rugby and volleyball matches, creating a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere.

Adding to the experience are artisan markets, beachfront dining, and the inclusive Wheels on Waves initiative by Reece Smith, where specially designed beach wheelchairs (sand cruisers) allow visitors with disabilities to enjoy the ocean.

The 58th Highland Gathering 2026

Date: 2 May 2026

Time: 8am to 10pm

Venue: Hutchison Park Sports Grounds

Hosted by: Lions Club of Amanzimtoti

Contact: WhatsApp 072 767 7833 | info@highlandgathering.co.za

Driven by the Lions Club of Amanzimtoti, this annual event is a massive fundraiser supporting various community projects in need. It’s recognised as the largest gathering of pipe bands in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing together bands from across South Africa, culminating in the spectacular Massed Bands performance at 5pm.

Visitors can enjoy an expansive craft market across three sports fields with a wide range of food stalls and beer tents, a dedicated kids’ play area and family-friendly activities, and live entertainment throughout the day.

  • Main Stage Highlights: DJ Dave Guseli, line dancing, self-defence displays, school choirs, and the Mr & Mrs Highland Gathering pageant.
  • Attractions: Fun and games with Sapphire Coast Tourism, inflatables, horse experiences, reptile displays by Pure Venom, Toti Scouts displays, and a relaxing tea garden.
  • Beer Tent Entertainment: Live performances by Mr Vikz, Haagar Blu, The Tiaan Rivers Band, Parable Fifteen, The Keegan Troy Band with Darius Joubert, and DJ Marty closing the evening.

So Much to Explore on the Sapphire Coast

Beyond these headline events, visitors can soak up the sunshine on Amanzimtoti’s golden beaches, enjoy family fun at Splash Waterworld plus Slide’n Glide Go Bananaz, and world-class diving and fishing adventures at the renowned Aliwal Shoal. The area also offers horseback beach rides, nature trails and waterfalls, and unforgettable wildlife encounters at Crocworld Conservation Centre.

There’s so much happening on the Sapphire Coast this summer – don’t miss out! For more information, visit www.sapphirecoasttourism.co.za or follow Sapphire Coast Tourism on Facebook and Instagram.

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Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.  We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.

Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa.  Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,

Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation

So what is the right accommodation?  Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose. 

Expensive is not always better.  Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday.  They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.

The reason for your travels will also affect your choice.  A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday. 

Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.

Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance

To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance.  Of these, service is the most important. 

No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion.  However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.

We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review.  We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.

However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.

Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid

How do you know when you have had a great spa experience?  The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table. 

Well that’s our theory anyway.  It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good

A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced.  However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.

Adventure!

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience.  In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.

Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe.  It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.

On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities

If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.

If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.

We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.

See you on the road!

 

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