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Ballito is an attractive beach town situated in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Visitors love its gorgeous beaches for sunbathing, scenic coves for swimming and snorkeling, and lush forests that are packed with native wildlife.
Ballito lies just 25 miles north of the major city of Durban and 19 miles north of Umhlanga, which are both popular vacation destinations. It’s also just a 15-minute drive away from King Shaka International Airport, making Ballito a convenient base for a relaxing vacation on the South African coast.
If you’re planning a visit to this region of the South African North Coast and wondering where to stay, check out these popular neighborhoods and accommodation options.
Ballito Central for Beach Breaks
Photo Credit: Lucian Coman
Highlights: Willard Beach, surfing, snorkeling, swimming, Ballito Lifestyle Center
Ballito Central is the heart of the town and is the best place to stay for a quintessential beach break. It has a 1.8-mile promenade that offers lovely views out to sea, and there are many beachfront hotels, apartment complexes, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses positioned here with desirable ocean views.
There are several beaches to choose from in Ballito but Willard Beach is considered the town’s main stretch of sand. It’s one of few Blue Flag beaches in South Africa, which means it’s safe, clean, and has great amenities. The soft sand is perfect for sunbathing, and there are showers and toilets nearby. The warm waters can be choppy, which makes them popular for surfing.
In fact, the Ballito Pro, one of the world’s biggest surfing competitions, takes place here annually. Lifeguards look out for surfers, swimmers, body-boarders, snorkelers, and divers in the waters here. Plus, there are tidal pools with calmer waters that are ideal for younger children who want to take a safe dip.
As far as attractions go in Ballito Central, the beach takes center stage. If you like to indulge in a little retail therapy while on vacation, you’ll find some great shops at the Ballito Lifestyle Center in the northern portion of the town. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and bars dotted all over the town, so no matter where you stay, you’re sure to have great food within walking distance.
Where to Stay in Ballito Central
These are some of the best holiday accommodation options available in Ballito Central:
- Regal Inn Ballito offers simple and elegant accommodation for a comfortable stay less than two miles away from the beach. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, satellite television, and a tea and coffee station.
- LA Ballito is one of the town’s landmarks because it towers high above most other buildings in the area. It lies close to Ballito Promenade and Willard Beach, and it offers direct access to the Ballito Steps shopping center. La Ballito is comprised entirely of self-catering apartments, and its family-friendly complex has a large garden, a swimming pool, a playground, and communal braai facilities.
- Ballito Backpackers is designed for budget travelers. It has a range of affordable accommodation to choose from, including dormitory rooms, double bedrooms, and apartments equipped with kitchenettes.
- Coco de Mer is a boutique hotel set within a natural eco-forest. Its Afro-Bali theme gives it a chic, sophisticated atmosphere, and each of its suites is equipped with flatscreen TVs, minibars, balconies with forest or ocean views, and free WiFi.
- Hampshire Hotel Ballito offers a range of stylish rooms equipped with flat-screen televisions and free WiFi. Breakfast is served daily in the lounge, there’s a fitness center and a swimming pool to enjoy, and guests have access to complimentary secure parking.
- First Group La Montagne is a family-friendly resort complex with a mix of studio, two- and three-bedroom apartments and luxury penthouses. Sea views are standard in all units, and there are two outdoor swimming pools to choose from. On-site amenities include restaurants, a spa, and daily entertainment.
Clarke Bay Beach Pavillion for Swimming
Highlights: Safe swimming
Clarke Bay lies just a mile down the road from Willard Beach, but it offers a slightly different swimming experience.
Its waters are framed by rocky outcrops, making them warm and relatively calm. Plus, there’s a wooden walkway that trails down right into the water to make access as easy as possible, which is great for families.
Several guesthouses and apartment complexes lie right on the bay and offer exceptional ocean views from their rooms.
Salt Rock for Family Trips
Photo Credit: PhotoSky
Highlights: Salt Rock Beach, Tiffany’s Beach
Salt Rock is a quaint village that lies north of Ballito and offers a quieter vacation experience than Ballito Central. It was once the home of King Shaka, who ruled over the Zulu tribes that lived off the land in this region.
Salt Rock is a popular getaway destination for local South Africans thanks to its pretty, peaceful beaches. The main beach, Salt Rock Beach, has a tidal pool for safe swimming and a large stretch of golden sand. Ballito Lifesavers Club operates a coffee shop here which serves a range of refreshments.
Further north is Tiffany’s Beach, which is popular with families thanks to its set of natural rock pools. There are toilets and showers but be sure to bring your own refreshments because there aren’t any shops on the beachfront.
Salt Rock has several very good hotels that lie close to the beach, as well as guesthouses, B&Bs, and self-catering apartment complexes within walking distance of the shoreline. There are also some excellent restaurants here, such as the popular Ray’s Kitchen.
Where to Stay in Salt Rock
Canelands Beach Club is one of the best Ballito accommodation options in the Salt Rock area. It’s a four-star hotel with en-suite bedrooms, each with spacious balconies that offer garden or sea views. The outdoor pool overlooks the ocean, and there’s a garden with braai facilities and an on-site restaurant.
Thompson’s Bay for Natural Beauty
Photo Credit: Shams F Amir
Highlights: Thompson’s Bay Tidal Pool, Thompson’s Beach
Thompson’s Bay is a picturesque cove that lies north of Willard’s Beach. It has a tidal pool that’s monitored by lifeguards, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkeling. You’re likely to spot lots of marine life when you take a dip here. Beside the tidal pool lies Thompson’s Beach, which has golden sands and is backed by rugged cliffs. This is a great spot for sunbathing and fishing.
Thompson’s Bay is a smaller, quieter, and less developed alternative to Ballito Central and its bustling Willards Beach. A handful of guesthouses, vacation rentals, and apartment hotels are dotted along the low cliffs. The area has fewer amenities than Ballito Central, but as long as you have a car to get around, there’s no need to feel isolated.
Where to Stay in Thompson’s Bay
Sala Beach House is a popular hotel that lies on the beachfront of Thompson’s Bay. With a five-star rating, a concierge service, and a 24-hour front desk service, it offers a luxurious beach hotel experience. The rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with minibars, safes, flatscreen TVs, en-suite bathrooms, and private terraces. Free WiFi is included, and some of the larger rooms are equipped with kitchens for self-catering.
Zimbali for Luxury
Photo Credit: Salt Rock Digital
Highlights: Wildlife, whale watching, Zimbali Country Club, The Valley of the Pools, Zimbali Beach
The Zimbali Estate is a vast resort that lies just south of Ballito Central. It’s an exclusive and luxurious destination that’s ideal for an indulgent, relaxing escape. Nestled amongst lush native forests, the estate was developed with the environment in mind so that the area’s natural beauty shines through.
Wildlife thrives here, so look out for the likes of vervet monkeys, bushbucks, blue duikers, bushbabies, banded mongoose, and wild pigs as you wander through the estate’s extensive trails. You might also spot humpback whales in the ocean from Zimbali Beach.
A big allure of the Zimbali Estate is that there are lots of fun activities for visitors of all ages. There’s a five-star golf course at the Zimbali Country Club, multiple pools for swimming and playing, including one with water slides, and courts and pitches for playing various sports, including soccer, tennis, pickleball, squash, basketball, and netball. You’ll find several restaurants and bars dotted across the estate too.
There are multiple hotels and vacation rentals to choose from that lie within the Zimbali Estate, so you can pick accommodation that perfectly suits your style. Although you’re outside of Ballito itself, almost everything you need is on-site. Plus, the estate is fully secured with guarded entrances, so you can explore on foot with total peace of mind that you’ll be safe.
Where to Stay in Zimbali
Zimbali is home to many luxurious Ballito hotels and holiday homes, but these are some of the very best:
- The Capital Zimbali Resort offers a mix of guestrooms, suites, and apartments, all with access to an excellent range of on-site amenities. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a playground, a fitness center, a kids’ club, and a restaurant. All accommodation includes free WiFi, and the Capital Zimbali Suites also include kitchenettes, dining and lounge areas, workstations, and 55-inch televisions.
- Zimbali View Eco Guesthouse sits 195 feet above Salmon Bay and offers an uninterrupted 180° view of the North Coast. This boutique hotel has been designed with eco-friendliness in mind, but it’s no less luxurious than a typical hotel. Each suite has a unique design, and amenities include an outdoor pool, a sun deck, and a dining room where breakfast is served.
- Zimbali Lodge By Dream Resorts has a mixture of hotel suites and vacation rentals, making it the perfect choice for luxurious self-catering accommodation. With elegant modern decor and the surroundings of an indigenous forest, it’s a peaceful spot to escape just five minutes away from Ballito.
Umhlali for Village Charm
Highlights: Ballito Farmer’s Market, Burnedale Bistro
Uhmlali, originally known as Fort William when it was established by British and Scottish settlers in 1850, is a village that lies just north of Ballito. It is primarily a farming village surrounded by sugarcane farms, and although it has adapted somewhat to welcome the tourists that frequent this region of the North Coast, it is relatively undeveloped compared to the likes of Ballito Central and Salt Rock.
There are no hotels in Umhlali, but you might be able to secure a private vacation rental in a residential property here. The village has a handful of shops and eateries, such as the popular Burnedale Bistro. Just outside the village lies Ballito Farmer’s Market, where local artisanal producers and traders sell a variety of fresh produce, delicious ready-to-eat food, and handmade crafts while live music plays.
Shakas Rock for Watersports
Photo Credit: Salt Rock Digital
Highlights: Tidal pool, surfing, boat launch
Shaka’s Rock, also known as Chaka’s Rock, is a rocky outcrop that is said to have been used by Zulu King Shaka as a lookout point. It’s a rugged and beautiful village with a popular tidal pool that is great for swimming. The open waters offer modest breaks which are popular with beginner surfers, and there’s a boat launch where deep-sea fishing expeditions regularly depart from. Lifeguards keep an eye on the beach at Shaka’s Rock, and shark nets ensure swimmers and surfers are safe here.
If you love watersports, Shaka’s Rock could be the perfect base for you. There are some hotels and apartment rentals positioned close to the beach for an idyllic stay.
Where to Stay in Shakas Rock
Check-in at Chaka’s Rock Chalets which is one the best hotels in Shakas Rock. Its unfussy, comfortable chalets range in size with one-, two-, and three-bedroom units available. Each chalet has a flatscreen television and a kitchen, and some have private balconies or terraces with braai facilities. Amenities include a swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, a mini-golf course, a playground, a kids’ club, and a spa.
Book Your Ballito Holiday Rental
Ballito is such a popular holiday destination that there’s a huge range of accommodation options to choose from. Now you have a lay of the land you can get started booking your trip to this pretty region of the Dolphin Coast.
