Ocean Festival in Scottburgh not to be missed
An exciting line-up of activities are on the cards.
The iconic Ocean Festival in Scottburgh takes place from May 1-3, and the line-up keeps getting better!
Families can take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy the festival’s vibrant programme, starting with early morning runs and yoga sessions, high-quality sports and boat excursions, finishing off with live music and iconic film viewings.
In its fourth year, the festival has become a premier ocean sports event, bringing seaside fun and entertainment, all set on Scottburgh’s coastline and the iconic Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area.
“Sport is a powerful way to connect people with the ocean,” explained Barry Lewin, event organiser.
“We’re excited to build on the success of previous years with the 2026 sports programme which showcases incredible athleticism while highlighting the importance of ocean conservation at the same time.”
The festival starts this Friday with the Ocean Festival Lifesaving Carnival at Scottburgh main beach. This event will showcase the core skills required in real ocean conditions. Featuring Nipper, Junior, Senior and Masters divisions, competitors will take part in a range of disciplines including run, swim, board, ski, flags, and the crowd-favourite dash for cash. Registration is at 09:30 and the event starts at 10:00.
On the same day, teams of five surfers will take to the water for the School Tag Team Surfing event. Mixed boy-girl teams and boys-only teams compete in a fast-paced format where each surfer catches their waves before racing back to the beach to tag the next teammate. Every ride counts, and every tag keeps the momentum going. It’s a high-energy contest that showcases the next generation of ocean athletes and brings plenty of excitement to the shoreline. Schools can enter teams or watch the action unfold from 13:00 to 17:00.
On Saturday the spotlight shifts to the Ocean Festival Surf Pro, attracting a strong field of competitors across multiple divisions at Scottburgh main beach. With categories ranging from U10 to Open men’s and ladies, as well as a Masters (35+) division, the contest ensures a full day of high-energy surfing action.
And on the Sunday is the prestigious Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge. This race continues to attract top paddlers from across the country, offering both a 16km long course and 8km short course. Competitors will navigate the ocean route along the Aliwal Shoal, a globally recognised Marine Protected Area known for its rich biodiversity. Registration is at 07:00 and the race starts at 09:00.
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