Paradise Beach in South Africa truly embodies its name, offering a pristine stretch of coastline.

At dawn, the wind sweeps across the beach, scattering sand over the shells and vibrant purple seaweed that have been left behind by the night’s tide, creating an ever-changing landscape.

The wind shapes the sand into long, twisting patterns that stretch for yards, only to be blown back again, unimpeded by anything in their path.

There are no palm trees, no umbrellas, and no tourist resorts to disrupt the natural beauty here.

As the day begins, a few locals make their way over the dunes that separate the beach from the nearby Paradise Beach community. They don’t bring any beach gear—just their dogs for a peaceful morning walk, miles away from anyone else.

Beyond the local residents and occasional visitors from neighboring areas, the most consistent guests at Paradise Beach are the whales.

Though they don’t pass by constantly, Southern Rights and humpback whales begin their migration from Antarctica in June, while a few others can be seen off the coast year-round. They stand out in their own right, returning to a place they remember, away from the crowds.

A sanctuary of nature and peace.

"The beauty of Paradise is that it remains incredibly peaceful for most of the year, except for a couple of weeks in December. Yet, it's just a short distance from a major city and an airport," says photographer and local resident Henry Dillon.

"Everyone who chooses to live here does so for the same reason – a love for nature and serenity. It means you're surrounded by people who share the same peaceful values."

"As a photographer, this place is perfect for me. The unspoiled beauty is endless, and there are so few people around to spoil my photos with unwanted appearances."

"And, as a nice bonus, it’s a joy to wake up to the sounds of nature, not the hum of traffic."

Paradise isn’t hidden on a faraway island or tucked away on a remote coastline. It’s surprisingly accessible, considering how remote southern Africa can be for the rest of the world.

Paradise Beach is about a 90-minute drive from Port Elizabeth, which is just a short flight from Johannesburg or a scenic road trip along the Garden Route from Cape Town.

A narrow causeway leads to Jeffreys Bay, a surfer’s paradise known for its Billabong colony and as a stop on the global surfing circuit. While the surf at Paradise Beach is decent, it doesn’t compare to the legendary waves at J-Bay, so surfers tend not to travel here just for the surf.

Don’t forget to bring your own BBQ supplies.

Paradise Beach remains largely undiscovered, known only to the small community nestled along the dunes in a neighborhood that is limited in growth due to the surrounding protected parklands.

Any stray bits of trash are quickly picked up by the locals, who are quick to grab a stray bag of chips or an empty bottle that might have blown off a porch.

The only real spot to eat is the sailing club, which has a bar and occasionally hosts a “bring-and-braai.” The club provides wood and usually matches, but guests are responsible for bringing everything else: meat, salads, bread, and all the necessary grill gear.

At the bar, drinks are always available, along with packets of raw meat wrapped in cellophane for those who may have forgotten to stop by the butcher for their braai.

Sport is shown on the screens inside for those who are interested, while the rest of the crowd gathers around the fire, shielded from the wind by tall fences that also keep the sand dunes at bay.

The only other dining option, aside from making the short drive to Jeffreys Bay or the longer trip to St. Francis Bay, is to catch a special event, like the Happy Hippo gatherings at a farm along the Seekoei River.

This is the kind of place where the address is simply listed as "on the gravel road leading to St. Francis Bay."

The drive feels like you’re heading to nowhere in particular, but once you arrive, there are rabbits and other small farm animals for the kids to enjoy, live music from local bands, and a variety of fresh foods ranging from sushi to wood-fired pizzas to curries.

The river, especially in the dry season, is more of a broad stream, making it perfect for a peaceful walk along its banks or even a crossing.

Paradise retains its tranquility partly because some homes are rented out to holidaymakers, mostly during the Christmas break. These rentals offer the only form of accommodation, either as bed-and-breakfasts (both traditional and Airbnb-style) or long-term leases.

A deep, meaningful connection.

During the off-season, the guesthouses are rarely at full capacity, yet they always feel welcoming and open.

In South Africa’s larger cities, middle-class homes are often hidden behind high walls and electric fences. But that’s not the case in Paradise Beach.

Homes here either open up to the street or offer views of the ocean. Fences are built to keep in pets or protect gardens, not to keep out intruders.

For people from big cities, the openness feels refreshing and exhilarating. But they don’t arrive in overwhelming numbers, certainly not like the masses that flood Cape Town or Durban during the holidays.

In this place, tourists mix with locals. Outsiders settle into homes and go about their daily routines. There are no sprawling resorts, no towering hotels. The tallest structures are the massive white windmills from the new power generation farms.

This sense of community and connection is part of why Jill Thompson moved to Paradise Beach in 2004 after living in various African countries. In 2008, she founded Mpendulo Savings, a system that pools savings from nearby townships to support local communities. Here, she has found purpose both in her work and in the surroundings.

"I feel a deep connection with nature," Thompson shares. "Walking alone on the beach with my dogs in the early morning, our footprints the only ones in the untouched sand. It nourishes my soul like nothing else."