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The pretty beach town of Ballito on the North Coast of South Africa is one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. It’s a 40-minute drive north of the major city of Durban, but its lush forests and charming coves give it an entirely more relaxing and indulgent atmosphere.
Let’s take a look at 19 of the most popular attractions that draw holidaymakers to this region of KwaZulu-Natal.
1. Ballito Beaches
Photo Credit: Lucian Coman
There are many beautiful beaches in the Ballito area, but these are the most popular:
Thompson’s Bay
- Address: 0B Rock Ln, Shaka’s Rock, Ballito,
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Thompson’s Bay lies just north of Ballito in a sheltered limestone cove that protects its beach against harsh winds. Its tidal pool, known as Charlie’s Pool, is one of Ballito’s most famous thanks to its calm, warm waters, which are perfect for a relaxing swim.
Willard Beach
- Address: 102C Compensation Beach Rd, Ballito,
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Willard is Ballito’s main beach, so it tends to be very busy. It’s one of very few Blue Flag beaches in South Africa, and this mark of approval gives visitors peace of mind that it is clean, safe, and suitable for kids. There are lifeguards and shark nets, to keep everyone safe, and tidal pools which are ideal for children to swim in.
Watersports are popular in Willard Beach. Bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving all take place here, and it’s a great spot for surfers. In fact, Ballito Pro, one of the world’s largest surfing competitions, is hosted here!
Salmon Bay Beach
- Address: Le Roux Lane, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Salmon Bay lies south of Ballito. Although it’s mainly known as a good spot for sunbathing, many locals come here to fish in the early morning and early evening.
Clarke Bay
- Address: Compensation Beach Rd, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Clarke Bay is a short walk from Willard Beach. It has a large tidal pool for swimming and rock pools for discovering marine life. It’s common to find the likes of starfish and sea urchins but take care not to touch them.
Salt Rock Beach
- Address: Salt Rock Beach, Salt Rock, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Salt Rock Beach is idyllic, with its pretty palm trees and warm blue waters. Lifeguards and shark nets protect swimmers, surfers, bodyboarders, and hydrofoils. Reefs just off the beach are teeming with marine life, making this a great spot for snorkeling and diving.
Tiffany Beach
- Address: 8 Hewitt Rd, Umhlali Beach, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Tiffany Beach is a popular surfing spot. Strong winds and offshore reefs create fun waves that challenge even the most experienced surfers.
Sheffield Beach
- Address: Sheffield Beach, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Sheffield Beach is Ballito’s northernmost beach and tends to be quieter than the rest. It has lots of rock pools that are great for snorkelers, but keep in mind there are no lifeguards. Be sure to look out for dolphins offshore in the early morning!
2. Shaka’s Rock
Photo Credit: Shams F Amir
- Address: 43 Ocean Dr, Shaka’s Rock, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Shaka’s Rock is a rugged stretch of coastline named after King Shaka, the renowned Zulu chief who ruled the Zulu Kingdom in the early 1800s. There’s a stunning tidal pool here where marine life thrives, and it lies close to the luxurious Simbithi Eco Estate, which is home to a popular golf course.
3. Sugar Rush Park
- Address: Esenembe Road, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Friday / 8.30 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday
Sugar Rush Park is a family-friendly adventure park where a variety of fun outdoor activities await. There are mountain biking trails, forest obstacle courses, zip lines, a trampoline park, a putt-putt golf course, a petting zoo, and much more.
4. Ballito Junction Regional Mall
- Address: Leonora Dr, Ballito,
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pm Monday to Saturday / 9 am – 5 pm Sunday
If you’re looking for retail therapy, there’s no better place to visit than Ballito Junction Regional Mall. More than 200 stores across three levels offer a huge variety of goods, including clothing, beauty products, and tech. There’s also a great range of eateries serving dishes from all over the world.
5. Ballito Lifestyle Centre
- Website: ballitolifestylecentre.co.za
- Address: Cnr 398/445 Main Road Main Road, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday / 9 am – 10 pm Saturday & Sunday
Ballito Lifestyle Centre is a modern shopping mall with a range of high-end boutiques, cool surfing shops, and luxurious restaurants. Don’t miss the curio shop to pick up some unique souvenirs.
6. Microlight Flights
- Website: ballitoflightschool.co.za
- Address: X1 Esenembi Road, Compensation, Portion 6 of Farm 868, Ballito, KZN
- Opening Hours: 7 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday / 7 am – 1 pm Saturday & Sunday
Ballito Microlight’s Dolphin Coast flights offer incredible views of the land and sea. It’s common to see dolphins, whales, and turtles in the Indian Ocean — take an early morning flight to make the most of low wind speeds and smooth conditions while you spot the creatures down below.
7. Ndlondlo Reptile Park
- Website: ndlondlo.net
- Address: x1 Esenembi Rd, Compensation, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 3 pm Tuesday to Friday / 9 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday
Ndlondlo Reptile Park is a fantastic place to take wildlife-loving kids. There’s a huge array of species to see and learn about here, including 15 species of snake that are indigenous to South Africa.
8. Umhlali Country Club
Photo Credit: yourgolftravel.com via Google Images CCL
- Website: umhlaliclub.co.za
- Address: 1 Compensation Beach Rd, Umhlali, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily
Umhlali Country Club is a sophisticated resort and sports club with a range of recreational facilities on offer, including a luxurious beach club. Its crowning glory is its scenic 18-hole golf course set in the club’s picture-perfect landscape.
9. Flag Animal Farm
- Website: flaganimalfarm.co.za
- Address: Sheffield Beach Rd, Durban
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4.30 pm daily
Flag Animal Farm is home to over 1,000 rescued animals, including horses, cows, bunnies, and reptiles. You can expect to learn about the various species and even pet some. There are also additional fun facilities to enjoy, such as a play center, a splash waterpark, and a dinosaur park.
10. Zimbali Country Club
- Website: zimbali.com
- Address: R627, Zimbali Estate, Ballito
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily
Zimbali Country Club is set within a sprawling gated resort south of Ballito. It has been developed with the region’s natural beauty in mind, and wildlife thrives here in its lush forests. The club has a beautiful 18-hole golf course that was designed by former professional golf champion Tom Weiskopf, so golf fans shouldn’t miss the chance to visit.
11. Princes Grant Golf Course
- Website: princesgrant.co.za
- Address: 1 Babu Bodasing Avenue, New Guelderland
- Opening Hours: 7 am – 5 pm Sunday to Friday / 7 am – 6 pm Saturday
Princes Grant Golf Estate is situated alongside scenic sugarcane fields with majestic views across the Indian Ocean. It’s a popular course with keen golfers from Durban who want a break from the city while they work on their game.
12. Holla Trails
- Website: hollatrails.co.za
- Address: Collisheen, R102, Umhlali
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 3.30 pm Monday / 6 am – 4.30 pm Tuesday to Friday / 5.30 am – 3.30 pm Saturday – Sunday
The Holla Trails provide more than 200 miles of mountain biking routes set within a beautiful landscape. There are stretches to suit beginners and experienced bikers, or for even more thrills, try quad biking instead.
13. Tidal Tao Snorkeling Safaris
- Website: tidaltao.com
- Address: CNR Ocean Drive and Old Main Road, Shaka’s Rock Beach, Ethekwini,
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
There are countless species of fish and marine animals to be spotted in the waters of the Dolphin Coast, and a snorkeling safari is the perfect way to see them. If you’re new to snorkeling the guides will help you get to grips with it safely while helping you explore colorful coral reefs and rock pools in a way that respects and protects wildlife.
14. Crocodile Creek
- Website: crocodilecreek.co.za
- Address: 77 Greylands Rd, Greylands, oThongathi
- Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm / closed Monday
Crocodile Creek gives you the chance to have a hands-on experience with the region’s native crocs and learn lots of interesting facts about them from knowledgeable guides. There’s a coffee shop and a children’s play area onsite, too.
15. Umhlanga Lighthouse
Photo Credit: lcswart
- Address: uMhlanga, KZN
- Opening Hours: 24/7
The candy-striped Umhlanga Lighthouse is one of the Dolphin Coast’s most iconic landmarks, and it has helped countless vessels safely reach Durban Harbour since its construction in 1954. You can’t enter the lighthouse but views are excellent from its perch on the Umhlanga Ridge.
16. uShaka Marine World
Photo Credit: Bay_Media
- Website: ushakamarine.com
- Address: 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
uShaka Marine World is a 40-acre beachfront park with an aquarium, swimming pools, and fun water rides. There’s even an opportunity to dive with sharks!
17. Litchi Orchard Market
- Address: Seaforth Avenue Umhlali, 4390
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Litchi Orchard Market is set within a working litchi (lychee) farm. Pick up tasty fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and specialty food and drink, and look out for night markets where you can enjoy live music and tasty street food dishes.
18. Adventure Valley Parazip
- Website: adventurevalley.co.za/zipline-tour
- Address: Adventure Valley, 1369 Hopewell Farm, Esenembe Road, Ballito, Durban, 4390
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 5 pm Sunday to Thursday / 8 am – 4 pm Friday
Adventure Valley, formerly known as Clubventure, is home to one of the region’s best zipline tours. It includes the world’s first Parazip, which blends parachuting and ziplining. You’ll gently glide downhill on a 1,300-foot zipline while attached to a parachute that slows your descent so that you can make the most of the epic views.
19. The Harold Johnson Nature Reserve
- Website: sa-venues.com/game-reserves/harold-johnson.php
- Address: Harold Johnson Nature Reserve, Situated off the R102, between Stanger and Mandeni, Dolphin Coast
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily
The Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is a 250-acre paradise that lies on the banks of the Tulega River. It’s home to Fort Pearson and the Ultimatum Tree, both of which play an important role in the Anglo-Zulu war that took place in 1879.
The reserve is lined with walking trails and dotted with picnic sites, so spend a few hours here looking out for the likes of zebra, bushbuck, duiker, and vervet monkeys.
Plan Your Ballito Vacation
These 19 tourist attractions are some of the most popular in the Ballito area. Which sights do you plan to explore when you visit this region of the stunning South African North Coast?
