While the rest of the country is busy digging out thick woolly socks and eyeing the heater with longing, there is a secret being kept on the KZN South Coast. In Margate, “winter” is less of a season and more of a suggestion. Imagine a place where the sun still dances on the waves, the air is crisp but never biting, and the ocean remains a warm, inviting embrace.
If you’re looking to trade the winter blues for golden hues, here is why a winter escape to Margate is the soul-soothing break you didn’t know you needed.
The “Secret” Summer Weather
Forget what you know about July. On the South Coast, winter days often boast clear, sapphire skies and temperatures that hover in a comfortable low-to-mid 20°C range. It’s the kind of weather that’s perfect for a morning beach walk or a round of golf at the Margate Country Club without the sweltering humidity of January.
At Kridzil Holiday Apartments, our balconies become the ultimate sun-traps. There’s nothing quite like enjoying your morning coffee in a light t-shirt while watching the mist lift off the Indian Ocean, knowing your friends back home are probably scraping frost off their windshields.
The Greatest Shoal on Earth
Winter in Margate isn’t just quiet and sunny, it’s the stage for one of nature’s most spectacular events: The Sardine Run. Usually arriving between June and July, “Sardine Fever” transforms the coastline. You’ll see silver ribbons of fish shimmering in the surf, followed by an entourage of thousands of Cape Gannets diving from the sky and pods of dolphins playing in the breakers.
Even if you aren’t a fisherman, the energy on Margate Main Beach is electric. Locals and visitors gather with buckets and nets, and the atmosphere feels like one big, coastal celebration. It’s a bucket-list experience that you simply can’t get during a summer visit.
3. Front Row Seats to the Whale Highway
If the sardines are the opening act, the whales are the headliners. From May through to December, Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate along our “Whale Highway” toward the warmer waters of Mozambique.
The best part? You don’t even need a boat to see them. Because the continental shelf is so close to the shore here, these gentle giants often breach and play just a few hundred metres out. Grab your binoculars and head to the Ramsgate Whale Deck (just a 5-minute drive from Kridzil). Spotting a 30-ton whale launching itself out of the water is a memory that stays with you long after the holiday ends.
4. Crowd-Free Coastal Living
One of the best-kept secrets of a winter escape is the peace. The bustling energy of December gives way to a relaxed, local rhythm. You’ll find the best tables at your favourite restaurants are suddenly available, the queues at the Waffle House are shorter, and you can enjoy the pristine sands of our Blue Flag beaches with plenty of elbow room.
It’s the ideal time for a slow holiday. You can explore the Oribi Gorge, browse the local craft markets, or take the kids to the Riverbend Crocodile Farm without the holiday rush. It’s Margate in its purest, most authentic form.
Your Warm Winter Base
Why spend the season shivering when you could be sun-soaking? Kridzil Holiday Apartments offers the perfect “winter home” with fully equipped kitchens for those cozy evening meals and spacious living areas to relax in after a day of exploring.
The sun is shining, the whales are jumping, and your apartment is ready.
Book your winter sun escape at Kridzil today and leave the winter coats behind!
