Scottburgh is a resort town situated on the mouth of the Mpambanyoni River (confuser of birds), 58 km south of Durban on KwaZulu-Natal south coast in South Africa. Neighbouring towns include Pennington, Renishaw, Freeland Park, Umkomaas, Sezela, Bazley, Amahlongwa, Clansthal, Park Rynie and Dududu.
Named after Natal Colony Governor John Scott and in 1860 it became the first township to be laid out south of Durban, but was initially known as Devonport. It became a municipality in 1964.
Scottburgh is situated on the South Bank of the Mpambinyoni River, a short river that culminates in a lagoon. The Mpambinyoni mouth has fluctuated in surface area and volume dramatically over the years, largely due to the frequent droughts, occasional cyclones, and other extreme weather conditions that can affect KwaZulu-Natal.
Most notorious of the above-mentioned cyclones was Cyclone Demoina of 1984, which resulted in widespread flooding and infrastructural damage, including the destruction of the Old Main Road bridge from Durban and Umkomaas.
Scottburgh is also particularly renowned for its large surfing community, although superior waves are in fact usually found about 5 kilometres north, at Green Point, Clansthal and at Back Beach, Pipeline south of Scottburgh Point and the Main Beach. However, one appeal of Scottburgh Beach is in its grass-covered banks leading down to sandy beaches, which have made it a popular holiday resort for South Africans and foreign holidaymakers alike for many years. Surfers and Bodyboarders from around the world also come to Scottburgh to surf Main Beach, Pipeline and Back Beach. Pipeline and Back Beach is very well known for the hollow barrel-waves it creates during winter time.
