Margate is the tourist capital of the South Coast. Daily flights from Johannesburg land at the town’s small airport.

Margate’s focal point is a broad expanse of golden sand lined by the tall, white towers of dozens of hotels and apartments. Marine Drive, which runs parallel to the coast one block inland, is the town’s main business centre, and banks, restaurants, pubs, fast-food outlets, shops, estate agencies and cinemas all compete for the available street frontage.

The approach to the sandy beach leads across well-tended palm-shaded lawns that attract many sunbathers. Along the main beachfront a variety of attractions compete for the holiday-maker’s attention. Among these are the paddling pools, a freshwater swimming pool, water slides, a mini-golf course, paddle boats, and many ice-cream parlours.