The Hatchery

The Hatchery is a distinctive accommodation and wedding venue situated at a renovated prawn farm on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast of South Africa. Located at a river mouth in a coastal reserve, the property overlooks the Amatikulu lagoon and a secluded beach.

The establishment's history dates back to the 1970s when civil engineer Faan Myburgh transformed the site into a prawn farm. The location was chosen for its optimal water conditions and coastal setting, where successful prawn breeding operations were conducted until the property's conversion into its current form.

The venue offers various accommodation options, ranging from comfortable self-catering rooms to caravan units and camping facilities. All rooms are child and pet-friendly, featuring different configurations of double, queen-size, and single beds. Most units are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, while some include air-conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, and fridges. Accommodation options vary in capacity, from intimate two-person units to larger spaces accommodating up to twelve guests.

Facilities include a communal swimming pool, hot tub, braai and pizza oven areas, and shared kitchen spaces. The property also features a wedding venue that can host up to 100 guests, offering ceremony locations on a deck or the dunes, with stunning views of the lagoon, sea, and reserve.

The Hatchery caters to various events including weddings, team-building retreats, birding excursions, and family gatherings. Its unique setting provides multiple photographic opportunities against backgrounds of timeworn buildings, dune landscapes, and coastal scenery. The venue also hosts special events such as the Barriers Stages MTB/Trail Camp.

The property includes a satellite location in Betty's Bay, featuring a three-bedroom accommodation with various bathroom configurations and sleeping arrangements.