Abstract
Knowledge of recreational use patterns, preferences and opinions of beach users can be useful in developing beaches in such a way as to ensure quality recreational experiences. This paper investigated, by means of questionnaire survey, a) the factors influencing human beach choice on three beaches with different levels of development and b) whether respondents on the different beaches considered different characteristics important on an ideal beach. By means of multiple discriminant analysis, visitors could be classified according to the beaches they were interviewed on, based solely on the different reasons given for visiting the beach as well as on the characteristics they considered important on a beach.
Although factors relating to level of beach development were the most important in influencing beach choice on highly developed King's Beach and undeveloped Sardinia Bay, traditional/historical, socio-economic factors and accessibility (all unrelated to beach development) were more important on semi-developed Joorst Park, visited by people of a lower-socio-economic level. These people considered Joorst Park underdeveloped but were prevented by socio-economic restraints from visiting a beach of their choice, eg King's Beach. The highly and semi-developed beaches were visited for their facilities, social activities and accessibility. The undeveloped beach was visited for experiencing nature, peace and quiet, its few people and because dogs were allowed there. In addition, respondents' opinions were obtained on litter, additional facilities, preferred distances between groups on the beach and in the surf and whether dogs and off-road vehicles should be allowed on beaches. More basic facilities (toilets and refuse bins) were considered necessary on all beaches, especially on the semi-developed beach. Beyond a minimal level of amenities, additional comforts were undesired by users on the undeveloped beach and limited funds should rather be used to upgrade and improve beaches such as Joorst Park, that are already developed to attract people with greater demands for a wider range of facilities. However, beaches with different levels of development are necessary to cater for people who desire different recreational experiences. Limiting beach access beyond a certain number of visitors seems to be unpopular with the public.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Avis, A. M.: Management and recreational use of the Eastern and Nahoon beaches. The Naturalist 30(2): 27–37 (1986)
Brotherton, D. J.: The concept of carrying capacity of countryside recreation areas. Recreation News Supplement 9: 6–11 (1973)
Brotherton, I.: Visitor frequency and fidelity as indicators of rural recreation provision. Journal of Environmental Management 15: 101–107 (1982)
Buerger, R. B.: The perceptual differences of beach users and management staff towards the recreation attributes of the beach. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, State University of New York. 233 pp. 1984.
Chapman, D. M.: Human users and the beach/dune environment. In: Chapman, D.M.(ed.), Coastal dunes of New South Wales: Status and management. University of Sydney, Coastal studies Technical Report No. 89/3. Chapter 4, p. 57. 1989.
Cofer-Shabica, S.V.; Snow, R.E.; Noe, F.P.: Formulating policies using visitors perceptions of Biscayne National Park and seashore. In: Fabbri, P. (ed.), Recreational uses of coastal areas. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands 1990.
De Ruyck, A.M.C.; McLachlan, A. (submitted, a): Social carrying capacity estimates for three South African beaches.
De Ruyck, A.M.C.; McLachlan, A. (submitted, b): Human recreational use of three beaches with different levels of development.
De Ruyck, A.M.C.; McLachlan, A.; Glassom, D. (submitted): Recreational use of three South African sandy beaches before and after their opening to all ethnic groups.
Edney, J.J.; Jordan-Edney, N.L.: Territorial spacing on a beach. Sociometry 37(1): 92–104 (1974)
Hair, J. H. (jr.); Anderson, R. E.; Tatham, R. L.; Black, W. C.: Multiple discriminant analysis. In: Multivariate data analysis with readings, third edition. MacMillan Publishing Company, New York 1992.
Heath, E.T.; Crosby, J.A.; Fabricius, M.P.: A survey of holidaymakers in Port Elizabeth, December 1989–January 1990. Institute for Planning Research Information Bulletin No. 22, University of Port Elizabeth 1990.
Kohler, K. L.: Durban city beaches — use and abuse. I.S.E.R. Report for the City of Durban, Tourism Research Units, Univ. of Durban-Westville. 74 pp. 1991.
McConnel, K. E.: Congestion and willingness to pay: a study of beach use. Land Economics 53 (2), 185–195 (1977)
McWilliams, J.A.: A survey of holiday-makers in Port Elizabeth, December 1990–January 1991. Institute for Planning Research Information Bulletin No. 24, University of Port Elizabeth 1991.
Mijic, S.; Ghzanshahi, J.; Huchel, T.; Devinny, J.S.: Factors determining recreational use intensity at beaches. Coastal Society, 7th Conference, Galveston, October 11–14, 1981.
Morse, S.J.; Peele, S.; Richardson, J.: In-group/out-group perception among temporary collectivities: Cape Town beaches. S.Afr. J. Psychology 7: 35–44 (1977)
Pigram, J.: Outdoor recreation and the environment. In: Pigram, J. (ed.), Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management. Croom Helm, London 1983.
Ryan, P.G.; Moloney, C.L.: Plastic and other artifacts on South African beaches: temporal trends in abundance and composition. S.Afr. J. Sci. 86: 450–452 (1990)
Taylor, V.: The importance of False Bay as a recreational area. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. 47 (4 & 5): 749–756 (1991)
Van Herwerden, L.; Bally, R.: Shoreline utilization in a rapidly growing coastal metropolitan area: the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Ocean and Shoreline Management 12: 169–178 (1989)
Van Herwerden, L.; Griffiths, C.L.: Human recreational activity along the north-western shores of False Bay. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr. 47 (4 & 5): 737–748 (1991)
Van Herwerden, L.; Griffiths, C. L.; Bally, R.; Blaine, M.; du Plessus, C.: Patterns of shore utilization in a metropolitan area: the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Ocean and Shoreline Management 12: 331–346 (1989)
Williams, A.T.; Sothern, E.J.: Recreational pressure on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, South Wales, United Kingdom. Shore and Beach 54(1): 31–37 (1986)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Ruyck, A.M.C., Soares, A.G. & McLachlan, A. Factors influencing human beach choice on three South African beaches: A multivariate analysis. GeoJournal 36, 345–352 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00807949
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00807949