Umkomaas

Umkomaas, a small coastal town on the subtropical south coast of kwaZulu-Natal. Umkomaas is located 48 km south of central Durban.

The Umkomaas or Mkomazi River is a dominant feature of the area, being the largest river on the South Coast. The river is 298 kilometes long, from its source just south of Giant's Castle in the uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site to its mouth on the Indian Ocean. The river begins its journey at an altitude of over 3,000 metres.

Occasionally, raft races, canoeing, and other sporting events are held on the river. The river is a popular white-water rafting destination.. Additional tourist attractions include the Umkomaas Golf Course, the famous Umkomaas golf club is the 3rd oldest course in KwaZulu Natal and is a challenging 5479m course which tests the abilities of all golfers - high or low handicapped - allowing players of all handicaps to enjoy a round. Spectacular sea views, diverse bird life and magnificent trees make for a pleasant golfing experience. Umkomaas Golf Course is the home of Tim Clark and widely regarded as being one of the best in KwaZulu-Natal, and the beautiful Empisini Nature Reserve, a forested area that features a delightful waterfall and a number of bush walks.

Umkomaas is most renowned for the superb diving opportunities created by the Aliwal Shoal, a coral reef about 5 kilometres offshore. Ragged-tooth sharks, Rock Cod, and a number of other species can be found in the shoal.

Growth in diving-related tourism has grown dramatically in the past decade, although the Shoal features two especially fine shipwrecks, the Nebo and the Produce, that long predate the Shoal's current surge in popularity. The exciting wreck dives on the Nebo, which sank in March 1884 after hitting the Shoal, and The Produce which was wrecked on the Aliwal Pinnacles in 1974. This wreck is home to some very large moray eels. Take the awesome but thrilling opportunity to go shark cage diving! It will be an experience you will never forget. The Aliwal Shoal was formed about 80 000 years ago.

A co-educational primary school, founded in 1913, is found in the centre of the village. Umkomaas offers a variety of properties for sale and properties to rent. There are also many properties available for holiday accommodation.

Suburbs of Umkomaas include Widenham, known for its colossal bush-covered sand dune known as "Sand City", and the planned community of Saiccor Village, built for Saiccor workers in the 1950s and 1960s. Beaches are found at Widenham and the Mkhomanzi north bank near Ilfracombe, which is the launching point for many boat excursions and diving trips to the Aliwal Shoal. Also within the neighbouring area are the towns of Roseneath, Clansthal, Magabeni, Craigieburn,Sunpark and Newhaven. Make the smart move today and purchase a property in Umkomaas today.