If ocean views, architectural drama, and barefoot luxury are your love language, Listing Coastal South Africa on BBC Lifestyle delivers in spades. From glass-walled marvels perched above the sea to eco-conscious estates that blur the line between nature and design, the series is a masterclass in coastal glamour. These are the standout homes we can’t stop thinking about.
Plettenberg Bay: The Glasshouse Getaway
This striking three-level home is a masterclass in contemporary coastal architecture. Wrapped in glass, steel, and light, it offers uninterrupted ocean views from almost every room, creating a sense of total immersion in its surroundings. Automated features make everyday living effortless, while expansive terraces invite long, languid days spent watching waves roll in.
The outdoor boma adds a layer of warmth and sociability, perfect for evenings that stretch long after sunset. Whether hosting guests or enjoying quiet mornings overlooking the sea, this home balances high-tech convenience with barefoot beachside ease.
Knysna: Lagoon-Facing Layered Living
Set high above the Knysna Lagoon, this beautifully renovated, self-contained multi-level home offers privacy, versatility, and sweeping water views. Each level is thoughtfully designed to function independently, making it ideal for extended family living, holiday rentals, or hosting guests in style.
The interiors are calm and contemporary, allowing the ever-changing lagoon scenery to take centre stage. Large windows and open-plan living spaces ensure the outdoors is always part of the experience, while the home’s elevated position delivers a sense of serenity and retreat.
Mossel Bay: Pinnacle Point Estate Perfection
Located within the sought-after Pinnacle Point Estate, this eco-chic double-storey home blends luxury living with environmental consciousness. Solar panels and energy-efficient design speak to a future-focused approach, while natural materials anchor the home within its rugged coastal setting.
One of its most unique features is access to a coastal cave; a rare and dramatic reminder of the landscape’s raw beauty. Coupled with world-class estate amenities, including golf, security, and nature trails, this property offers a lifestyle that feels both indulgent and grounded.
Umhlanga: Modern Coastal Glam
Umhlanga’s featured homes are effortlessly stylish, defined by clean architectural lines, expansive windows, and interiors flooded with natural light. Designed for contemporary coastal living, these properties prioritise flow, comfort, and an easy connection to the outdoors.
Whether overlooking the ocean or nestled within exclusive neighbourhoods, the homes exude a relaxed glamour that suits both everyday living and entertaining. It’s coastal luxury with an urban edge; polished, modern, and unmistakably aspirational.
Langebaan: West Coast Calm
This home captures the essence of West Coast living: unhurried, understated, and deeply connected to the landscape. Natural materials and a pared-back aesthetic allow the surrounding views to shine, creating a sense of calm from the moment you step inside.
Large openings frame the lagoon and sky, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. It’s the kind of home designed for slow mornings, windswept afternoons, and evenings spent watching the light change over the water.
Bakoven, Cape Town: Atlantic Seaboard Icon
This Bakoven villa is pure Atlantic Seaboard drama, in the best possible way. With uninterrupted sea views, private pools, and expansive entertainment areas, it embodies Cape Town’s most glamorous coastal living.
Every detail is designed to celebrate the ocean, from sun-drenched terraces to interiors that frame the horizon like living artwork. It’s bold, luxurious, and unapologetically indulgent; a home made for sunset cocktails and statement living.
A Modern Contemporary Farmhouse, Gqeberha
Some homes whisper, this one winks. Tucked away in the leafy heart of Walmer, Gqeberha, this industrial-inspired stunner may not be on the market, but it’s undeniably one of Listing Coastal South Africa’s most captivating curveballs. It’s bold, confident, and refreshingly unexpected, proof that coastal luxury doesn’t always come wrapped in white linen and glass balustrades.
From the moment you step inside, the home pulls you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible. The north-facing, double-volume structure is framed by aluminium windows that flood the interior with natural light, amplifying its architectural edge. Industrial bones set the foundation, but warmth flows freely through smooth wooden floors, soft furnishings, and a minimalist layout designed for flexibility and creative expression.
Catch Listing Coastal South Africa on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) Wednesdays at 8 PM
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