Bazley or Bazley Beach is a small town along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, situated approximately 26 km south-west of Scottburgh and 81 km south-west of Durban.
This quaint and picturesque village falls within the uMdoni Local Municipality, which is part of the Ugu District Municipality.
Named after the Bazley family who farmed here in the late 19th century, Bazley is less than an hour’s drive south of Durban. Set within a conservancy with magnificent views of the Indian Ocean, Bazley provides pristine beaches, warm waters, and a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The village benefits from a sub-tropical climate, with summer temperatures regularly reaching around 30°C and winters averaging a high of 22°C. The ocean temperature ranges from around 26°C in summer to 21°C in winter: perfect for year-round swimming.
Though Bazley is best described as laidback, there is plenty to do for nature lovers, surfers, walkers, and mountain-bikers; in fact, there is something for everyone. For the golfers, there are magnificent courses nearby in Pennington, and keen anglers will love fishing from the beach.
Location
The town is situated on the Indian Ocean coastline, approximately 26 km south-west of Scottburgh and 81 km south-west of Durban.
Bazley is a tiny town, covering an area of less than 3 square kilometres. It is only accessible from the Sezela motorway turn-off.
The town itself is situated on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the surrounding hills, and it is home to a small population of around 600 people (though most are not permanent residents).
It is bound by the Ifafa River in the south and the Ndesingane River in the north. The immediate neighbours of Bazley are Ifafa town in the south) and Sezela/Pennington in the north.
The town overlooks the Indian Ocean to the east and is surrounded to the west by the quiet, rustling cane fields of Illovo Sugar, which we count as a very supportive neighbour.
History
Bazley Beach has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by the indigenous Zulu people, who were later joined by European settlers.
The first European settlers arrived in the Bazley area in the 1820s, when the British government began encouraging immigration to the Cape Colony. These settlers established farms and homesteads in the surrounding areas, and the town of Bazley Beach gradually developed as a fishing and farming community.
Bazley was named after John Bazley, an engineer and Byrne Settler, whose son William successfully opened the Mzimkulu River mouth for shipping in the 1880s, at the place now known as Port Shepstone. John Bazley first arrived in the area in 1859 and set up camp on the banks of the Ifafa River. After a fairly good start, his farming activities grew, and he was granted 250 ha of land for sugar farming. He worked hard and prospered. Within two years, he had established a sugar mill.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Bazley Beach remained a relatively isolated and rural community. However, the town began to develop as a popular holiday destination in the mid-20th century, when the construction of the N2 National Route made it more accessible to visitors.
Today, Bazley Beach is primarily known as a holiday town, with a thriving tourism industry. However, it remains an important agricultural center, with many farms in the surrounding areas producing sugarcane, bananas, and other crops.
Despite its growth and development over the years, Bazley Beach has retained much of its natural beauty and small-town charm. Visitors to the town can still enjoy its long sandy beaches, lush vegetation, and peaceful atmosphere, making it a popular destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Climate
Bazley Beach enjoys a mild and pleasant coastal climate, making it an ideal year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Below is a quick overview of the typical weather conditions you can expect in our beautiful coastal village:
Temperature: Bazley Beach experiences warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), while winters average between 10°C and 20°C (50°F to 68°F).
Rainfall: The area receives most of its rainfall during the summer months, with November and December being the wettest. The rest of the year is generally dry and sunny.
Humidity: Coastal humidity levels provide a comfortable atmosphere throughout the year, making Bazley Beach a pleasant place to visit at any time.
Sunshine: Bazley Beach enjoys ample sunshine, with an average of 8 to 10 hours of sunshine per day during the summer months.
