[3] The climate of the coastal areas is humid and subtropical — comparable to southern Florida in the United States, but not quite as hot and rainy in the summer.

These towns feature a wide range of tourist-oriented businesses, including restaurants, bars, clubs, movie houses, golf courses, clothing shops, museums, and various types of accommodations.

Such "traditional" settlements include KwaXolo, KwaNzimakwe, KwaNdwalane, KwaMadlala, KwaMavundla and KwaLushaba.

Prior to the demise of Apartheid in 1994, the Hibiscus Coast was divided into five main Transitional Local Councils, namely Port Shepstone, Margate, Hibberdene, Southbroom (Impenjati- Southbroom TLC) and Port Edward (Umtamvuna TLC).

In the election of 18 May 2011 the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of forty-one seats on the council.