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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Margate, KwaZulu-Natal
Spend 1–2 days in Margate for beach time and a quick town walk; longer only if staying at a resort.
Margate is a coastal resort town on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal with Blue Flag beaches, a shopping mall and several budget accommodations. It is most crowded during school holidays and Christmas/Easter, so a short stay avoids crowds while still offering beach, shopping and night life.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Jan (school holidays, Christmas)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R300–R600 excl. bed · Mid R600–R1200 excl. bed · High R1200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- General emergency (mobile) 112
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | R30–R50 |
| Fish and chips | R80–R150 |
| Beer (pint) in a bar | R30–R60 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | R150–R200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MGH · Margate Airport
- CemAir flights from Johannesburg
Typical fares
- Margate Airport → town centre (taxi)
- about R250, 10 min (check)
- Taxi town centre → Sea Park
- about R300, 30 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Most attractions are within walking distance of the main street; taxis and minibus taxis are common for longer trips. Rental cars are useful for Sea Park (20 km (12 mi) north).Most attractions are within walking distance of the main street; taxis and minibus taxis are common for longer trips. Rental cars are useful for Sea Park (12 mi (20 km) north).
See and do
Known for
- Blue Flag beaches
- Sea Park resort
- Hibiscus Mall
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Park | Drive north 20 km (12 mi) on R102 or take a minibus taxiDrive north 12 mi (20 km) on R102 or take a minibus taxi | ≈30 min |
| Port Shepstone | Bus or drive 15 km (9.3 mi) east on R102Bus or drive 9.3 mi (15 km) east on R102 | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Dumela Margate Holiday Resort
- Beachfront resort, good for families
- Margate Backpackers
- Budget dorm, central location
- Margate Caravan Park
- Camping and caravan sites
- Margate Hotel
- From R410 per person sharing
- Margate Sands Resort
- Mid‑range resort on Marine Drive
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Where is the bathroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- Traffic jams on the main street during school holidays and Christmas/Easter.
- Check flight schedules for Margate Airport; limited service.
Generally safe for tourists; stay alert to petty theft on busy streets and keep valuables hidden in taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Margate, KwaZulu-Natal yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Blue Flag beaches
- Sea Park resort
- Hibiscus Mall
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Margate coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Margate (KwaZulu-Natal), revision 5265253 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5265253
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Margate, KwaZulu-Natal
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- General emergency (mobile)112
US consulate in Durban; other embassies in Johannesburg.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/margate-kwazulu-natal). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.