79. Palm Beach Tidal Pool
Located just north of Port Edward, Palm Beach is known for its wide sandy stretches, tidal pools, and rocky outcrops. The tidal pool is a large, natural swimming spot, ideal for safe swimming and snorkelling.
80. Trafalgar Beach Tidal Pool
Unfortunately, the tidal pool is silted up. But the beach promises a lot! There is no more perfect beach than Trafalgar's Blue Flag Beach to get away from the massive crowds.
Trafalgar Beach has unbelievably warm waters and makes for the perfect swim if you aren't a fan of those cold ones! You'll practically be swimming in a warm, oversized hot tub! Lifeguards are on duty at this blue flag beach throughout the year. Although other facilities are limited, the beach is super wide and sandy!
81. Marina Beach Tidal Pool
Marina Beach in San Lameer is a Blue Flag beach that is perfect for families.
Known for its cleanliness and safety, you can expect warm swimming waters year-round, along with a tidal pool and lifeguards on duty.
82. Granny Tidal Pool, Southbroom
The name "Southbroom" was first mentioned in 1908 when the Swedish Zulu Mission took over the mission from the Eyles family. The Eyles family renamed their home "Soutbroom" as a reminder of one of their family homes in England. Frank and Gilbert Eyles, Alfred's two youngest sons proclaimed the village in 1933.
It is a historic tidal pool built in 1937 specifically for the guests of the Southbroom Hotel. While often associated with the hotel, local historical accounts credit Jack Jones (the grandson-in-law of Southbroom pioneer Alfred Eyles) with building the tidal pools at both Southbroom and Marina Beach. The pool is located near the site of the Fascadale shipwreck, a steel barque that ran aground on the rocks seaward of the pool in 1895. The Southbroom Hotel was a landmark until 1984, when it was demolished amidst significant controversy.
Now known as Granny’s Pools because of how safe the pools are for children. There are rocks surrounding the pools that children love to climb and explore. At high tide, the waves come right in!
83. Southbroom Main Beach Tidal Pool
The tidal pool on Southbroom beach was given a facelift in 2014. See the video below.
84. Noel Tidal Pool, Ramsgate
The pool was built in 1973 by local resident Noel Quarry. She was a pioneer in the town and the owner of the famous Crayfish Inn hotel, restaurant, and pub. Built on the rocky inter-tidal shore, the pool was designed to provide a safe, calm swimming environment. It is naturally refreshed by the changing tides, often bringing in small fish for swimmers to see. It is positioned on the right-hand side of Ramsgate's main beach, near the parking area for the whale watching deck.
85. Margate Tidal Pool
The town of Margate was laid out in 1908 and later developed as a recreational area in the 1920s. The construction of swimming facilities, including tidal pools along the Natal South Coast, occurred to provide safe bathing areas free from sharks and strong rip currents, which are common in the Indian Ocean.
The tidal pool was used for school swimming and school activities. Residents have described it as a "school pool" during the late 1960s, with memories of it being used for school-related activities.
Swam many kilometers in that pool Had Galas there before Margate Primary had a pool
2026 - For two decades, the once popular tidal pool in Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast was non-functional but, thanks to the Margate Urban Renewal Project, it has now been restored to its former glory.
86. Margate Olympic Pool
The facility is a 50m x 25m, 10-lane outdoor pool that attracts swimmers year-round. It is the only Olympic-sized swimming pool South of Durban. Historically, the pool was filled with seawater, similar to other coastal pools in South Africa built during that era. These include Orient in East London, Camps Bay, Beach Bath in Durban, and Macarthurs Bath in PE. At some point in its history, the pool was converted to freshwater/chlorinated water.
It is generally believed to have been constructed in the late 1970s, following the addition of a kiddies' pool in the late 1950s. A major upgrade occurred on the beachfront, including the construction of the new Margate Lifesaving Club and lifeguard house adjacent to the pool.
87. Lucien Tidal Pool, Margate
Founded around 1919, the town is situated roughly 127 km south-west of Durban, and it serves as the vibrant "holiday capital" of the South Coast.
Lucien Beach, which was named after the Lucien Hotel. The hotel was built by the Van Dongen family, specifically the grandfather of the current descendants, in the Manaba area. It was named in memory of his great aunt, who tragically died in a bombing in Europe during World War
88. Uvongo Tidal Pool
Uvongo has developed from a seaside destination into the largest upmarket residential area on the Lower South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Most tidal pools along the Natal South Coast were constructed in the early 1950s. This was driven by a surge in shark attacks during that era, which led authorities to build protected enclosures for safe sea bathing. The town of Uvongo itself was laid out as a "garden village" by surveyor T.C. Lilliecrona.
The design of these pools is rooted in British coastal culture, which introduced the concept of "taming" the ocean for leisure and health benefits during the interwar and post-war periods.
89. St Michael's-on-Sea Tidal Pool
The town was established as a quiet holiday resort destination, famous for surfing, fishing, and a 9-hole golf course. It is widely recognised for its Blue Flag status, highlighting the beach's pristine nature.
90. Shelly Beach Tidal Pool
There are two tidal pools on Shelly Beach. The largest is the Metropole Beach pool, which is the historical name for what is today known as the Shelly Beach Tidal Pool. In decades past, the beach was often called "Metropole" after the Metropole Hotel that once overlooked the shore before being demolished in the late 1960s
Safe swimming (with shark nets), beachcombing (shell collecting), and lifeguards on duty make this beach ideal for families.
The second pool is further east, at the other end of the beach.
91. Shelley Beach
92. Port Shepstone Tidal Pool
The tidal pool is simply put, huge! Have a look at the right hand corner of the pool where the life guard is paddling to get a better understanding of how big it really is. The pool is divided into three sections; the big pool with two smaller pools at the end of it.
The Port Shepstone Tidal Pool is one of the oldest and largest man-made tidal pools in South Africa, with its origins dating back more than a century. The pool is divided into three distinct areas: a large main section for distance swimming and two smaller, shallower sections specifically designed for children.
- Early Construction: Records indicate that a tidal rock pool existed at Port Shepstone as early as 1923. The pool was part of a broader movement in South Africa to create "tame" swimming spots for holidaymakers.
- Expansion & Safety: Many South Coast tidal pools were significantly upgraded or built in the early 1950s following a series of shark attacks along the Natal coast, which heightened the demand for protected bathing areas.
- Town Growth: The development of the pool mirrored Port Shepstone's rise as a premier holiday destination, often compared to Blackpool in England. Its popularity grew alongside the town's maritime history, including the arrival of Norwegian settlers in 1882 and the construction of the iconic black-and-white checkered lighthouse in 1906.
93. Umtentwini Tidal Pool
Known locally as the Granny Pool (a common name for South African tidal pools!), it has served generations of families.
94. Southport Tidal Pool
The Southport Tidal Pool at high tide.
95. Anerley Tidal Pool
The pool was constructed in the early 1950s as part of a regional beach-improvement initiative, providing a safe, sheltered swimming spot, often used by local scouts for badge testing
96. Sunwich Port Tidal Pool
The tidal pool was filled to the edge with sand after a very energetic spring tide, turning it into a shallow pool that is ideal for smaller children. Over time, some of the sand was washed away as the tides came and went and it is around hip height at the deeper side now.
97. Banana Beach Tidal Pool
98. Pumela Beach Tidal Pool
The tidal pool seems to have been abandoned.
99. Umzumbe Tidal Pool
The tidal pool has served as a centre for family holidays for generations at the Pumula Hotel. It is situated on what was once part of the "Ararat" farm, owned by Lady Charlotte St Claire Moor in the 1920s.
100. Hibberdene Beach Tidal Pool
The tidal pool is at the Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home, which provides free holidays and life-skills programmes for underprivileged and destitute children. Established in 1930 by The Mercury newspaper during the Great Depression, it was designed to bring joy to children from impoverished families across KwaZulu-Natal
