Safe retirement-friendly towns with R650 000 seaside properties

Crime is rising across most of the country’s police precincts.

The coast is no exception.

But in a handful of coastal towns, you can find safe and affordable seaside homes; some have gorgeous ocean views.

Safe Seaside Towns

Kleinsee in the Northern Cape is the coastal town reporting the fewest crimes.

Between April 2026 and June 2026, the police precinct recorded 5 crimes. If this trend continues, the town will have a 2.2% crime rate.

However, in the 12 months ending March 2026, 57 crimes were reported. That gives Kleinsee, a town with under 1 000 residents, a crime rate of 6.09%.

The average sale price in the town is R850 000, but buyers can breathe the ocean air starting at R650 000.

Port Edward

Recent statistics show crime in Port Edward is increasing.

However, the town’s crime rate remains the lowest of any coastal town on this list at only 2.47%.

Most of the crime in the area is linked to commercial crime and petty theft.

However, in the three months ending June 2026, the South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 35 residential burglaries.

Port Edward also has the most suburbs offering affordable uninterrupted ocean views.

Buyers can choose between Three Hills, Rennies Beach, and Glenmore for affordable seaside properties.

In Three Hills, Leisure Bay, one listing shows a 2-bedroom townhouse beside the ocean for R630 000.

Affordable properties in Rennies Beach may not be oceanside, but buyers can get waterfront property starting at R650 000. These are townhouses along the Mtamvuna River.

Then there’s Glenmore. Buyers can pick up a one-bedroom flat within stone-throwing distance of the beach for under R700 000.

Kidds Beach

Kidds Beach in East London has a 2.68% crime rate, but crime stats are improving.

In the three months ending June 2026, fewer crimes were reported than in the same period in 2025.

However, in the town with roughly 3 460 households, there were 13 residential burglaries, which means residents have a 0.04% chance of being burgled.

Residential burglaries were also the most commonly reported crime in the area.

The average sale price for a home in Kidds Beach is R1.4 million, as of September. But buyers can be within walking distance of the sea for as little as R600 000.

Scottburgh

Crime in Scottburgh is trending downward.

The town’s crime rate is 4.25%.

In the last three months, crime is down 7.8%. In the last 10 years, crime is down 18%.

Most of the crime in the area is commercial.

Since Scottburgh doesn’t have the same reputation for safety as Port Edward, homes are slightly more affordable.

The average sale price is R1.2 million. But buyers can get uninterrupted sea views for R600 000.

Isipingo Beach

Isipingo Beach, which is under the Isipingo police district, has a 4.76% crime rate.

According to SAPS, “all theft not mentioned elsewhere” is the most common crime.

This includes thefts the police don’t categorise, which range from pickpocketing to petty theft.

You can get a 2-bedroom flat with ocean views starting at R695 000.

Area	Crime Rate	Seaside Homes (Starting Price)
Kidds Beach	2.68%	R600 000
Scottburgh	4.25%	R600 000
Three Hills	2.47%	R630 000
Rennies Beach	2.47%	R650 000
Glenmore	2.47%	R695 000
Isipingo Beach	4.76%	R695 000