By André Fiore
If you’re desperate for a blissful beach honeymoon but your budget isn’t Bali-proof, look no further than southern Africa for some of the most indulgent beach breaks this side of heaven.
With a coastline that stretches from Kenya to Cape, and then some – there’s an oh-so-private, oh-so-romantic beach right on your doorstep – we promise! So bliss out at one near you – we won’t tell anyone if you don’t…
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, Port Alfred
Tucked behind deserted dunes just outside of Port Alfred, Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve spares visitors from having to choose: opening onto a 7km stretch of private deserted beach the lodge is set within a reserve, offering a beach holiday as well as a touch of safari.
“Happiness consists of living each day as if it were the first day of your honeymoon,” they say, and to ensure that happiness, the eight suites feature thatched ceilings, antique furnishings, underfloor heating, private decks, spacious bathrooms, custom-made king size beds and stunning views. The main lodge area includes several dining options, a bar, lounge – with a wooden fireplace, a pool, library, spa, gym, steam room and viewing decks – both for a spot of whale watching and for a better look at any animals grazing in front of the lodge. Visitors are invited to enjoy beach walks, a game of boules on the beach, surf and rock fishing, quiet time by the waterhole or in a hammock, game drives and bush or beach picnics and sundowners.
One of the less explored provinces, the Eastern Cape boasts the most sunshine hours in the country, and Port Alfred is well worth a visit for its stunning Marina (one of the few in the world where every home owner enjoys private water frontage and a personal jetty – take a cruise through the canals), its small craft harbour, golf course and historic Wharf Street. Activities there also include sea and river cruises, hydro bikes, canoeing, paddle skiing, sand boarding, scuba and snorkelling.
A little further afield is Grahamstown, with its annual National Arts Festival and rich settler history, the 1820 Settler village of Bathurst, an eclectic mix of old and new, with the country’s oldest pub and largest pineapple, and the tiny historical settlement of Salem.
To read about more irresistible beach destinations, pick up a copy of the Summer 2016 edition of South African Wedding Inspirations, on sale now nationwide at Pick ‘n Pay stores, CNA, Exclusive Books, PNA, Clicks and Dis-Chem, as well as selected SPAR supermarkets and independent retailers.