There’s nothing quite like the luxury of knowing you can escape the city and head to the sea whenever you like, which is why coastal towns are among the most popular destinations for holiday home purchasers in South Africa.
To help you out, here are three of our favourite South African coastal towns that are prime holiday destinations and great places to buy.
Witsand
Witsand is a fisherman’s haven located at the mouth of the Breede River, halfway between Cape Town and George. It’s an easy drive from either city, and offers a peaceful, village atmosphere with almost no crime whatsoever. Apart from being a great fishing and boating area, the town also has fabulous river and ocean views, and is popular with both holiday makers and couples looking for a quiet place to retire.
“One bedroomed apartments are available from around R400 000,” says Hanli Pretorius, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for Witsand. “Houses go for up to R3.3 million, and beachfront properties with river views are the most sought-after. Being close to slipways and harbours also adds value, as a lot of people have boats.”
If you’re looking to save money, Pretorius suggests opting for a property without views. You’ll still get the village vibe, even if you have to head outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and water.
Hermanus
Closer to Cape Town is Hermanus, known as the “Riviera of the South” in the tourism industry, and blessed with exceptional beaches, gorgeous nature reserves, and all the modern lifestyle conveniences one could wish for. While it is best known for the incredible whale-watching opportunities from its shores every winter, Hermanus also offers its very own wine route winding up through the hills and valleys overlooking the sea.
“It’s a seller’s market at the moment,” says the Rawson Property Group franchisee for Hermanus, Peter Greyling, “and buyers are paying very close to asking price when they purchase here.” Prices start at around R1.2 million for an average house, heading upwards of R20 million for premium properties in prime positions.
If you’re in the market for something under a million, Greyling recommends considering a holiday apartment – great for lock-up-and-go convenience. “The Hermanus Beach Club is very popular with local and upcountry holiday makers,” he reveals. Two bedroomed apartments in the complex are priced from about R560 000 and three bedrooms from R650 000 and up.
Ballito
For those of us living further north, Ballito is a prime seaside spot. It’s just 40km north of Durban with easy access to King Shaka airport, making it one of the most conveniently located holiday towns no matter where you’re coming from.
With green, rolling hills, sun-drenched beaches and great surfing waves, Ballito is very popular for family holidays and is attracting an increasingly large permanent resident population as well. “It used to be a one horse town,” jokes Denise Hattingh, the Rawson Property Group’s Office Manager for Ballito, “but these days it’s bustling, with lots of development and lots to do.”
“Apartments are definitely the most popular for holiday homes here,” Hattingh continues, “and prime beachfront spaces start at R3 million.” More affordable, but still luxurious apartments and houses are available in estates like Seaward, where prices start at around R1.8 million for a three bedroomed townhouse, and go up to R6 million and more for larger, freestanding homes.
Wherever you choose to let your hair down, there’s no doubt that having a holiday home makes vacation days just that much easier and more relaxed. To find out more about investing in a second home, whether it’s coastal or inland, get in touch with a Rawson agent in the area and they’ll be happy to help you find just the right spot, at just the right price.
For further information please visit www.rawson.co.za.
