The area surrounding the Haven Hotel has some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines along the Wild Coast, with sandy and rocky beaches, coves, lagoons, cliffs, rock formations in the sea, and mangrove swamps. It provides the ideal environment to stretch your legs and explore the area by foot.

There are trails to suit the less active guests such as a walk to the Mbashe river mouth to witness a fish eagle in flight or a testing day hike to the Mpanyane Falls for the more adventurous (and fit).

Hiking in the Dwesa Reserve is particularly rewarding and here you can expect to see numerous mammals including eland, blesbok, zebra, hartebeest, warthog, blue and grey duiker as well as the shy bushbuck. This Wild Coast reserve also contains the largest coastal forest south of northern Kwazulu-Natal. There are numerous trails through the forest.

The Cwebe Reserve is equally as attractive, but for different reasons: It features the Mbanyane Falls, a stand of mangroves and great beach for collecting cowrie shells.

The beaches and bays across the Mbashe river are some of the most seldom visited on the coast. Some of the rivers can be difficult to negotiate after heavy rains and the coastal paths are often only accessible at low tide so it is important to plan your trip accordingly and keep a tide table handy.

Always carry water - do not drink from Wild Coast rivers and estuaries without first boiling or purifying the water.