Ballito

Right on South Africa’s Dolphin Coast, Ballito is the meeting point of a dazzling Indian Ocean with the lush sugarcane fields of KwaZulu-Natal. Overlooking golden beaches from the top of the hills, this tranquil coastal town sits in the east of the country, 40 kilometres north of Durban. Definitely holding the recipe for the coolest beach escape, it has a range of family-friendly attractions both on and off the water. So get your flip-flops on, and surf those waves, stroll on that beach, shop in the malls and markets, or sip that cocktail. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins – they might “wave” at you!

Surf and swim

After Jeffrey’s Bay and its famous supertubes, Ballito is South Africa’s second surfer’s favourite. Every year, Ballito’s Willard Beach is home to the world’s oldest-running professional surfing event: the Ballito Pro. But its homely and family-friendly vibe makes this town a great place for both pros ánd beginners. Warm waters, consistent and approachable waves and lifeguards to supervise the swimming and surfing make it a great beach escape for all ages. What’s more, the tidal pools are ideal for less confident swimmers and little explorers, with plenty of sea creatures to discover!

Plenty of fun for all

When you’ve had enough beach time, hop on a quad or a mountain bike, go hiking, ziplining, or go-karting. And why not explore one of the sanctuaries? The Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary is Africa’s largest free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. And in Crocodiles Creek, you can observe those predators in their natural habitat. Now if you’d rather shop and discover local products, Ballito’s Farmers’ Market offers foodstalls, art and sculpture, crafted goods, lifestyle products and outdoor activities as well as live music. To top it all off, Ballito has multiple shops, bars, and restaurants to keep the fun going once the sun goes down…!

Big fish on sight!

Bottlenose dolphins love the Dolphin Coast (what’s in a name?), and they are visible all year round frolicking in the ocean. The clear and shallow waters invite them to play and find food. Surveys have recorded over 200 dolphins in the area, divided into smaller groups. It is known that the Dolphin Coast has multiple shark species in its waters, but the main beaches are protected with nets. Last but not least, from Ballito, whales can be spotted on their annual migration to Mozambique (May to September). This amazing sight is best enjoyed over a delicious lunch in one of the ocean-facing restaurants!