Port Edward is at the southernmost tip on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. The town has some excellent facilities including golf, tennis, squash and bowling.

There is good direct access to the area's beaches, which are protected by shark netting. Lifeguards are always on duty during school holiday periods. Port Edward beaches offer excellent opportunities for surfing, waterskiing, jet-skiing, and rather decent fishing, both off the rocks or deep sea for those seeking a bigger catch. There are also a number of dams in the area where visitors can try their hand at bass fishing.

For scuba divers there is the wreck of the Nightingale, which met its untimely end on the rocks of Munster on Glenmore Beach in 1933. Parts of the wreck can still be seen on the rocks today, and is easily accessible at low tide.

The stretch of coastline flanking Port Edward also sets the scene for ideal dolphin and whale watching throughout the year, especially during the months of June and July which sees the arrival of "The Greatest Shoal on Earth" - the annual sardine run.

Just a few kilometers inland from Port Edward is the Umtamvuma Nature Reserve. Here the visitor will find a nesting colony of Cape vultures nestled high among the cliffs that run alongside the river. This 3150 hectare nature reserve is home to the black backed jackal, troops of baboons, and the large spotted genet, along with several species of buck, samango monkey and leopard. The thick forest is home to some 80 species of bird and is abundant with ferns, lichen and wild flowers. There are a number of informative walks from which visitors can explore the reserve.

Another main attraction in Port Edward is the Red Desert, which resembles Mars with its unusual red sands. The Red Desert is said to be the world's smallest desert, consisting of patches of grassland, forest, wetland and eroded red sands. Early, Middle and Late Stone Age artifacts have been discovered on both the Upper and Lower Red Desert, and various archeological studies have been conducted there.

The area provides visitors with magnificent views over the Umtamvuna Gorge and Estuary. The region is a home to a variety of wildlife, including southern reed buck, common duiker, blue duiker and oribi

Other attractions in Port Edward include the North Sand Bluff Lighthouse, which visitors can climb up, and enjoy the unique view from the top. Visitors can take a relaxing cruise on a boat up the Umtamvuna River, or experience the tranquillity of the region on scenic horse rides along the beach.

The Wild Coast Sun Casino is just over the Umtamvuna river in the Eastern Cape for those wanting to try their luck at the slots or tables.

Arts and Crafts are also widely available in the Port Edward area, with a number of artists who live and work in the district. Examples of their work can be seen in local galleries.

Golfing in the area is also quite popular with a choice of four courses located at the Wild Coast Country Club, Port Edward, San Lameer Country Club, and Southbroom Golf Club all of which are rated in the top 50 golf courses in South Africa.

Other Port Edward Attractions:
- hiking in the Mpenjati Nature Reserve
- 4 x 4 trails
- bird watching with over 200 species residing in the area
- mountain biking and quad-biking trails