Follow the Tide
Where the beach becomes the trail
Follow the Tide runs exclusive beach cycling trips along the remote coast of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The rides follow the mostly undeveloped stretch of Indian Ocean coast between Kosi Bay and Cape Vidal. It’s a landscape of golden beaches, coastal dunes, ancient forests, freshwater lakes and mangroves, with dolphins, whales and turtles offshore and hundreds of bird species inland.
The company was founded by Brett Jarvie and Jack Gillham. The idea came from Brett’s father, Graeme Jarvie, who led his cycling club on a ride from Kosi Bay to Cape Vidal, mostly on the beach, about fifteen years earlier. Fresh out of university, Brett and Jack set out to ride the route themselves. They spent many days on the coast working out when the tides allow the ride and how to run it safely. Both are surfers, and the empty breaks they found along the way led to a sister project, Surf the Tide.
Trips are timed to spring low tides, the only time the sand is firm enough to ride. Riders meet in Durban, are driven to Kosi Bay and start the ride by barge, with a guiding team handling logistics throughout. Each departure takes one private group. There is no online booking: the founders handle every trip personally. They choose to stay small, with no plans to become a large commercial operation, and they follow a “leave no trace” approach on the coast.
Enjoy the Tide
Tour Operator: Follow the Tide
South Africa
5 days (Bike: 3 days)
100 km (~33km per day)
Leisure
Mostly flat
Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 910
Overview
Tour Operator Follow the Tide
A round trip from Durban: three tide-timed riding days, a barge crossing and a beach camp at Mabibi, 100 km in total to Sodwana Bay.
Enjoy the Tide is Follow the Tide's headline trip: a private, fully inclusive round trip from Durban along one of South Africa's wildest coastlines, inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every departure is timed to the spring low tides, when the beach exposes enough hard sand to ride safely, and only one group rides each tide window.
After a night at Lodge Umusa in Kosi Bay, riders cross Kosi Lake by barge past 700-year-old fish traps, then ride 45 km along the sand, past untouched bays and reefs, to a private camp in the dune forest at Mabibi with no power or phone signal. The next day is a relaxed out-and-back ride with time to snorkel and explore rock pools.
A 25 km ride then brings riders to Sodwana Bay and a night at Mseni Lodge. The trip finishes with an early snorkel charter or ocean safari over the reef before the drive back to Durban.
Highlights
- Barge crossing of Kosi Lake past 700-year-old fish traps, with a chance of hippos
- Riding the empty beaches of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Two nights at a private, off-grid camp in the Mabibi dune forest
- Snorkelling and rock pools on the Mabibi out-and-back day
- Snorkel charter or ocean safari over Sodwana Bay's reef
- Chance of dolphins, whales and turtles offshore
Surface and terrain
Almost entirely beach riding on the hard sand exposed at spring low tide, with some rocky shoreline near Sodwana. Flat overall. A standard mountain bike is all you need; a fat bike isn't required.
Weather
Subtropical coast: hot and humid in summer (November to March) with afternoon storms; mild, dry and sunny in winter (May to August). Coastal winds are common on the open beach.
Suitable for
Fit, adventurous riders and private groups of friends comfortable on a mountain bike and riding on sand. Moderate daily distances suit capable intermediate riders who are happy with two nights' camping without power or phone signal.
Chase the Tide
Tour Operator: Follow the Tide
South Africa
5 days (Bike: 3 days)
135 km (~45km per day)
Private tour for groups
Leisure
Mostly flat
Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Guided
£ 980
Overview
Tour Operator Follow the Tide
A round trip from Durban: three tide-timed legs, no rest day, and a brutal 65 km push to Cape Vidal
Chase the Tide is the tougher of Follow the Tide's two private beach rides: a fully inclusive round trip from Durban that rides the coastline of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park all the way from Kosi Bay to Cape Vidal. Departures are timed to the spring low tides, when hard, rideable sand is exposed, and only one group rides each tide window. It is recommended for strong, experienced cyclists only.
After a night at Lodge Umusa in Kosi Bay, riders cross Kosi Lake by barge past 700-year-old fish traps, then ride 45 km of sand to a private dune-forest camp at Mabibi. A 25 km leg leads to Mseni Lodge at Sodwana Bay and an early night before the big day.
The final leg is 65 km of open beach to Cape Vidal, with real pace needed to stay ahead of the tide. The last night is spent camping at Cape Vidal, where wildlife often comes close, before the drive back to Durban through the park.
Highlights
- Barge crossing of Kosi Lake past 700-year-old fish traps, with a chance of hippos
- Riding the full coastline from Kosi Bay to Cape Vidal in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- A night at a private, off-grid camp in the Mabibi dune forest
- The challenging 65 km open-beach ride to Cape Vidal
- Camping at Cape Vidal, with wildlife often close around camp
- Wildlife sightings on the drive back through the park
Surface and terrain
Almost entirely beach riding on the hard sand exposed at spring low tide. Flat overall, but the 65 km final leg is open beach the whole way and exposed to headwinds. A standard mountain bike is all you need; a fat bike isn't required.
Weather
Subtropical coast: hot and humid in summer (November to March) with afternoon storms; mild, dry and sunny in winter (May to August). Coastal winds are common on the open beach.
Suitable for
Strong, experienced cyclists only. Riders need the fitness and pace for a 65 km day on open beach against the tide, back-to-back sand riding with no rest day, and to be comfortable camping without power or phone signal.