Take a dose of ‘vitamin sea’ and immediately feel better
The ocean that offers the best balm for any new-year anxiety
The Japanese may ease away their stress with a little forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, but here at the tail-end of an SA summer it’s the ocean that offers the best balm for any new year anxiety.
While the restorative benefits of wild swimming have been endlessly recounted during the pandemic, the health-boosting properties of the ocean are hardly breaking news. For centuries the benefits of thalassotherapy have been well documented, from the use of seawater for curing “diseases of the glands” in the 1700s, to the Victorians’ enduring love of saltwater sojourns. Whether it’s for health, wellness or simply a good tan, SA is blessed with coastal escapes that offer a healthy dose of vitamin sea.
The icy waters of the West Coast certainly take cold-water swimming to its logical extreme, and after a few minutes in the bracing Atlantic waters off Paternoster you’ll be glad of retreating to a luxury suite at the Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel.
At Prana Lodge on the lush Eastern Cape coast there’s a healthy balance of wellness and indulgence, from the serene wellness spa on-site to contemporary SA cuisine. Perched on the edge of Cintsa bay, the location is unbeatable, with just eight elegantly spacious suites hidden away amid lush indigenous gardens. Need a dip? Suites boast private plunge pools, and the warm Indian Ocean is just a short walk from the garden boasting its own private beach access.
Boutique hotels are perfect for romantic escapes, but when you have the family in tow and want a combo of sun, sea and something or the kids to do? Look no further than The Capital Zimbali, which reopened on the Dolphin Coast in November 2021.