Tony Birkholtz
Tony Birkholtz

TONY BIRKHOLTZ explores Rocky Bay on KZN’s South Coast

Turning off at Park Rynie, we checked in at Rocky Bay to our camp site on the beach. The camp ground was in pristine condition and well occupied with friendly campers and caravaners.

Rocky Bay caravan park.
Rocky Bay caravan park.

Hot days were perfect. We swam in sheltered coves, walked along clean beaches, enjoyed sundowners at the sunset, and lit a fire each evening for a braai.

Mussels and oysters cover the rocks and their pools team with fish, anemones, crabs and molluscs at low tide, a marine paradise for young and old to explore.

During our stay, fish were elusive and not much was caught. However, the South Coast is famous for the annual “Sardine Run” when shoals of sardines in their multitudes arrive every June/July shadowed by Indian Ocean predators.

Campsite view at Rocky Bay.
Campsite view at Rocky Bay.

Whales, dolphins, sharks, gannets and anything seeking a marine feast hunt the sardines as well as each other. Even Orcas have been seen during this time. This coastline offers amazing diving on Aliwal Shoal, a little way north of Rocky Bay.

The more adventurous and experienced divers enjoy Shark encounters and getting up close with tiger sharks in open water – a deliriously exciting experience. Humpback whales migrate regularly each year along this coast as they make their way north to calve before heading home again to the frigid Antarctic waters with their young in tow. Numerous charter boats offer whale watching tours in the area.

Pristine beaches at Rocky Bay
Pristine beaches at Rocky Bay

Rocky Bay offers three MTB trails that begin and end at the entrance to the resort. We rode the 19km trail twice and enjoyed it immensely. Jeep track, single track, cane fields, indigenous forest highlight the offerings on these trails. You just register at the gate and pay a nominal day fee to ride. Way to GO!

With clean ablution blocks, camp sites and a gorgeous setting, I can recommend Rocky Bay for its such scenic and secure surrounds.