Property

South Africans are flocking to these popular holiday towns

Kirsten Minnaar • 24 April 2026

Semigration and lifestyle demand are driving South Africans to popular coastal towns along the Garden Route, with hotspots like Plettenberg Bay and Knysna seeing rising property activity.

As one of South Africa’s biggest semigration hotspots, the Garden Route is now seeing a notable surge in building activity and residential property movement.

The area stretches from the western gateway towns of Heidelberg, Riversdale, Stilbaai, and Witsand along the coast to Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay.

Pam Golding Property CEO Dr Andrew Golding explained that the Garden Route’s growth is being driven by a broad spectrum of buyers.

These include out-of-town semigrants, local residents, and buyers or investors from across South Africa and internationally.

Plettenberg Bay is one of the strongest performers in the Garden Route, with a buoyant residential property market that is well-priced relative to demand.

It is experiencing significant activity in gated estates and new-build villages, as they combine lifestyle, security, and strong rental prospects.

Sectional title apartments in Plettenberg Bay are also sought after, especially secure units close to beaches and amenities.

Pam Golding Properties area manager in Plett and Knysna, Gordon Shutte, said the current demand lies in retirement villages, though semigration and holiday home buying have also been major drivers.

“Sectional title and holiday-rental-friendly stock are growing in popularity, and there is continued appetite for premium estate homes and well-located sectional title units,” Shutte said.

Positively, there is an increasing number of young families and professionals relocating for lifestyle and remote-work capability. However, the majority of purchasers remain affluent retirees and holiday home buyers.

A combination of factors makes Plett very appealing as a primary, secondary, and retirement destination, as well as a high-yield investment in terms of rental income and return on capital.

These include the area’s attractive beaches, reputable estates, strong rental and holiday market, outdoor lifestyle, established tourism infrastructure and international and local reputation as a lifestyle hotspot.

For first-time home buyers, entry-level prices range from R1.8 million to R3 million for apartments, small townhouses, or starter family homes.

Shutte said Plett has seen some notable developments over the last couple of years, such as Whale Rock Village, Whale Rock Ridge and Brackenridge, among others, and continues to develop.

“Recent developments include Plett Lagoon Estate, where vacant erven are priced from R6.5 million, appealing to high-net-worth investors and luxury holiday home investors,” he said.

“Catering for young professionals, couples, semigrant families, downsizers and holiday home and rental investors, townhouses are priced from R4.95 million (including VAT) in The Boardwalk development.”

Semigrants flock to Knysna

According to Shutte, Knysna, which is about 33 km west of Plettenberg Bay, is also benefiting from the semigration trend and strong demand from retirees.

It is seeing more enquiries, renewed building activity, renovations, and a handful of new developments or lifestyle complexes, as well as rising interest in holiday-to-primary home conversions.

“Family homes for school and quality of life purposes also form a solid portion of sales, with a noticeable increase in a younger generation of purchasers,” Shutte said.

Sectional title apartments aimed at first-time buyers, holiday apartment purchasers and investors are from R1.2 million to R3 million.

Freestanding family homes on the outskirts and in established suburbs are priced from R2.5 million to R7 million, depending on location and finishes.

Meanwhile, vacant land can be acquired from R1.01 million in the high-end, well-established Pezula Private Estate Phase 3.

Completed luxury homes in this development and upmarket Pezula Golf Estate see price tags of R8 million to R20 million plus for premium properties.

In existing developments, vacant freehold erven are selling for R1.65 million in Entabeni Urban Farm, R1.35 million in Pezula Estate, and R595,000 in Fernwood Private Estate.

Townhouses in Tides End Estate are priced from R2.95 million and apartments from R2.5 million in Seahorse development, adds Shutte. Prices include VAT with no transfer duty payable.