Enjoy endless summer on the south coast at the Blue Marlin Hotel! Head across our rolling lawns and you’ll soon find yourself wiggling your toes in the white sands of Scottburgh beach. Why not take a quick dip in the sea or a short stroll at sunset? With its temperate South Coast climate, Scottburgh provides the perfect beach getaway (even in winter), with qualified lifeguards and shark nets in place to provide peace of mind.

Bring your binoculars if you plan to visit The Blue Marlin Hotel between June and October or even from November to December. Aside from schools of dolphins and porpoises, Humpback whales are commonly seen on their way to Mozambique. They are far more boisterous than the relatively docile Southern-right whales and you’ll be rewarded with acrobatic displays of prowess.

Only a 10-minute walk from The Blue Marlin, this reserve is an excellent choice for a picnic, but keep an eye out for those cheeky vervet monkeys looking for a quick snack. Here you will likely see an abundant variety of birds that will cheer you on from the bushes. The Mpambinyoni River flows through the reserve which comprises various ecosystems. There are also numerous braai (BBQ) spots available, making it ideal for family outings.

This is one of KwaZulu Natal’s most spectacular natural settings, only an hour from Scottburgh. A wonderfully scenic area, the Oribi Gorge offers excellent hiking opportunities where you may catch a glimpse of several antelope species and an array of birdlife, particularly five species of kingfisher and seven species of eagle that inhabit the reserve. Adrenalin junkies can also tackle the on-site zip lining, abseiling and water rafting.

Tala Private Game Reserve is a wildlife conservancy hidden in the hills of a quiet farming community with a mix of acacia thornveld, open grassland and sensitive wetland. The reserve provides exceptional game watching and birding, setting the stage for that perfect photograph.

The landscape at Vernon Crook’s is idyllic, with lush grasslands, coastal forests, rivers and wetlands. Only an hour’s drive from the Blue Marlin, you will find yourself surrounded by nature. Keep a look out for some of the local inhabitants – eland, zebra, bushbuck, blue wildebeest, impala, and black-backed jackal.

Just an hour’s drive from The Blue Marlin Hotel is the zesty city of Durban with an array of tourist attractions and activities that will appeal to diverse interests. The young and young at heart should make their way to uShaka Marine World and the Wet ‘n Wild Water Park.

Only a short drive from The Blue Marlin, Rocky Bay Resorts Mountain Bike Trails offers trail running and mountain biking facilities. Bike trails comprise an easy 12km as well as a 19km, 9km and then the more challenging 40km trail. As for the running trails, there are 4km, 6km, 8km and 10km options. All trails are well marked and scenic. Mountain bikers can also head to Oribi Gorge to follow the scenic single tracks, meandering along the top of the gorge.

If you're an avid golfer, look no further! There are several excellent golf courses in close proximity to the resort, including Selborne and Umdoni. Further afield, one can tee-off at Durban Country Club, the Wild Coast and Zimbali. Golf offers extremely good value for money, and The Blue Marlin is the perfect home base for golfers and golf tours, especially those wanting to escape the frigid European winter.

During your stay, why not head out to Crocworld? Part of the Mpambanyoni Conservation Development, this is a great spot for families to embark on a day trip to meet some of the beady-eye inhabitants that laze in its waters. It’s a solid option for the kids as there is also a play area, a small farm and a restaurant, which is a popular lunch stop, set among the lush indigenous gardens.

There are various options available for avid birders staying at The Blue Marlin. The Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary offers a self-guided trail which winds through the forest, with specialised bird watching hides. One can observe up to 150 species of birds which visit the large expanse of open water in the sanctuary. There is also a tea garden overlooking a lake which attracts a variety of water birds. T.C Robertson Nature Reserve is a short walk from the Blue Marlin and offers 12km of established trails which can either be self-guided or accompanied by a ranger.

Whether you are after a tranquil light snack overlooking the extraordinary Valley of a Thousand Hills, on a 4x4 game drive through the Phezulu Safari park, enjoying an exhilarating live crocodile show, or marvelling at a wide variety of indigenous snakes, Phezulu Safari Park offers it all.

With our newly launched digital passport, kids of all ages can become an Xplorer just like Kamo the Chameleon! Simply sign up when visiting one of our participating resorts and you'll be well on your way to becoming a Dream Xplorer! Your Passport is your gateway to the many fun and exciting activities at the resort. The more activities you complete, the more badges you can earn...and if you earn enough badges, you could win some pretty cool prizes!