Cheap Accommodation In Margate, South Africa
Margate has long been one of the go-to beach towns on South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, and it’s easy to see why budget-conscious travellers keep coming back. The warm Indian Ocean water, wide sandy beach, and laid-back pace make it a place where you don’t need to spend big to have a proper holiday. Unlike some of the flashier coastal spots further north, Margate has kept its reputation as an affordable, family-friendly getaway, with self-catering flats, modest guesthouses, and backpacker-style lodgings sitting comfortably alongside the bigger resorts. Whether you’re after a quick weekend by the sea or a longer stay to escape the inland winter, there’s accommodation here to suit almost any budget. Use the search box above to compare accommodation options in Margate and find the best deal for your dates.
Getting There
Most visitors reach Margate by flying into King Shaka International Airport in Durban, then driving roughly an hour and a half to two hours south along the coast. This is usually the cheapest and most flexible option, especially if you book flights into Durban well in advance and pick up a rental car for the drive down. Margate does have its own small regional airport, though scheduled commercial flights have become limited over the years, so it’s no longer a reliable way to get here for most travellers. Long-distance coach services and shuttle operators also run between Durban and the South Coast towns, and these can work out cheaper than driving if you don’t need a car once you arrive, particularly if your accommodation in Margate is within walking distance of the beach and shops. For those already touring KwaZulu-Natal, the South Coast road trip from Durban is straightforward and scenic, passing through a string of smaller seaside towns before reaching Margate itself.
Best Time to Visit
The South African summer school holidays, roughly mid-December through January, are by far the busiest and most expensive time to visit Margate. Accommodation prices climb, popular spots book out weeks ahead, and the beaches get crowded. If you’re after better value, the shoulder months of March to May and September to November offer warm, pleasant weather without the peak-season price tags. Winter, from June to August, is actually one of the best-kept secrets here: days are typically mild and sunny, the water stays swimmable thanks to the Agulhas Current, and accommodation rates drop noticeably. Many Gauteng retirees head to Margate for exactly this reason, spending weeks or months here over winter to escape the cold further inland, which also means longer-stay rates are often easier to negotiate outside of the summer rush.
Top Attractions in Margate
Margate’s main beach is the obvious starting point, with its tidal pool, promenade, and gentle waves making it a favourite for swimming and simple beach days that cost nothing at all. The paved promenade running along the seafront is popular for walking, jogging, or just watching the surfers, and it connects easily to nearby cafes and shops. A short drive away, Uvongo Beach is known for its lagoon, waterfall, and small aerial cableway, and it makes for an easy half-day trip from Margate. Shelly Beach, just to the south, is another well-regarded spot for swimming and rock pooling. For a change of pace, the Ranch Shopping Centre serves as the area’s main retail hub, useful for picking up supplies or browsing without spending much.
For Families and Kids
Margate is genuinely set up for family holidays, and the main beach area has playgrounds, paddling pools, and mini-golf courses that keep kids entertained without costing much. The calm, netted swimming areas along the beach give parents peace of mind, and the promenade is flat and easy for prams or younger children on bikes. Many of the self-catering apartments popular in Margate are specifically aimed at families, with communal pools and braai areas that let you cook your own meals and cut down on eating-out costs. Uvongo’s lagoon is also shallow and safe, making it a good option for a family day trip that doubles as free entertainment.
Outdoors and Nature
Inland from Margate, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve offers dramatic cliffs, hiking trails, and river views, and it’s a worthwhile day trip for anyone keen on more rugged scenery than the coast provides. Along the coast itself, Aliwal Shoal is well known among divers for its reef systems and seasonal ragged-tooth shark sightings, though this is more of a splurge activity than a budget one. Whale watching is possible from the shore between roughly June and November, when southern right and humpback whales migrate along this stretch of coastline, and dolphins are a regular sight just beyond the breakers year-round. Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, a bit further inland, offers walking trails through grassland and forest for those wanting a quieter, low-cost nature outing away from the beach crowds.
Local Culture and Heritage
The South Coast around Margate sits within a region shaped by Zulu heritage, sugarcane farming, and a long history as a holiday destination for South Africans from Gauteng and beyond. The surrounding hills are still dotted with sugarcane and banana farms, and farm stalls selling local produce are common along the roads leading into town. Margate itself grew as a resort town through the mid-20th century, and that holiday-town character has stuck, with a relaxed, unpretentious feel that’s quite different from the more polished resorts further up the coast. Visitors interested in Zulu culture can find craft markets and cultural tours in the wider region, offering a more authentic sense of local life beyond the beachfront.
Eating in Margate
Seafood is the obvious highlight here, and budget-friendly fish and chip shops along the beachfront are a reliable, affordable way to eat well without spending much. Durban’s strong curry culture has influenced the South Coast too, so you’ll find plenty of casual curry houses and bunny chow style options that offer big flavour for relatively little money. Braai culture is huge in this part of South Africa, and if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation in Margate with a braai area, buying meat and vegetables from a local supermarket or farm stall and cooking your own dinner is often the cheapest and most enjoyable way to eat during your stay. For a sit-down meal without overspending, look to the casual restaurants clustered around the Ranch Shopping Centre and the beachfront strip, where portions tend to be generous and prices reasonable compared to bigger South African cities.
Accommodation Options in Margate
Accommodation in Margate covers a wide range, but the town’s real strength is in its self-contained apartments and holiday flats, many of which sit just steps from the beach and come with kitchens that let you save on meals.
Budget & Cheapest Options
Backpacker lodges and simple guesthouses in and around Margate offer some of the most affordable beds on the South Coast, particularly if you’re travelling solo or don’t need much beyond a clean, comfortable room. Booking outside of the December to January peak will get you noticeably better rates.
Family Accommodation
Self-catering apartment blocks with pools, braai facilities, and multiple bedrooms are common in Margate and are usually the most cost-effective choice for families, since cooking your own meals cuts daily costs significantly compared to eating out for every meal.
Beachfront Accommodation
Given Margate’s position right on the coast, beachfront apartments and small hotels are plentiful, and many are surprisingly affordable outside peak season, putting you within a short walk of the sand and promenade.
Long-Stay Accommodation
Because so many South Africans use Margate as a winter escape, long-stay rates on apartments and flats are common and often negotiable, especially for stays of several weeks during the cooler months.
Resort Accommodation
A little further south, larger resort-style complexes offer more amenities such as golf courses and pools, and while these sit at the higher end of the local market, they’re still generally cheaper than comparable resorts in more heavily touristed parts of South Africa.
Shopping
The Ranch Shopping Centre is the main shopping destination in Margate, covering everyday essentials as well as clothing and gift shops for holidaymakers. Along the beachfront, small craft stalls and curio shops sell local artwork, woven goods, and beach essentials, and prices here are generally reasonable if you’re happy to browse a few stalls before buying. Farm stalls on the roads into town are worth a stop for fresh produce, macadamia nuts, and banana-based treats grown right in the surrounding region, often at better prices than the supermarkets.
Nightlife and Free Fun
Margate’s nightlife is relaxed rather than lively, centred around beachfront bars and restaurants where sundowners are the main event. Watching the sunset from the promenade costs nothing and is one of the most popular low-key evening activities among visitors and locals alike. Night fishing off the beach or nearby piers is another inexpensive way to spend an evening, and on clear nights the lack of heavy light pollution along parts of the coast makes for decent stargazing. For a bit more activity, some of the beachfront bars host live music or sport screenings on weekends, without the cover charges you’d find in bigger cities.
Suggested Budget Itinerary
Start the morning with a swim at Margate’s main beach while it’s still quiet, followed by a walk along the promenade and a cheap breakfast from one of the beachfront cafes. Spend the middle of the day exploring Uvongo’s lagoon and waterfall, which is close enough for a half-day trip without needing to commit to a full day of driving. Head back to Margate in the afternoon for a browse through the Ranch Shopping Centre or a stop at a nearby farm stall for fresh produce, then return to your self-catering apartment to braai dinner rather than eating out. Round off the evening with a slow walk along the beach to watch the sunset, which remains one of the best free experiences Margate has to offer, regardless of your budget for the rest of the trip.