Markus’s guidebook
Swimming spots
Although Zimbali does not have a swimming beach, there a multiple options close by. There are also amazing beaches in other areas if you are prepared to travel short distances.
Lots of options here! Main beach which is fairly quiet during peak season. Tidal pool and walk through rock passage to explore hidden gems.
Short walk down flight of fairly steep stairs to get to beach.
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Thompson Bay Rock Pool
0B Rock LnLots of options here! Main beach which is fairly quiet during peak season. Tidal pool and walk through rock passage to explore hidden gems.
Short walk down flight of fairly steep stairs to get to beach.
Willard Beach
102C Compensation Beach RdMain beach in Ballito. Can get crowded during peak season
The Valley of the Pools is great for a warm night swim in the heated pool. Visit the beach at sunset with a (plastic) glass of wine or chase ghost crabs in the dark with your kids.
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Zimbali Valley of the Pools
The Valley of the Pools is great for a warm night swim in the heated pool. Visit the beach at sunset with a (plastic) glass of wine or chase ghost crabs in the dark with your kids.
Lovely beach for swimming, especially at low tide. Beach is popular so parking can be a bit of a problem during peak seasons. Get there early!
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Umdloti Beach
Lovely beach for swimming, especially at low tide. Beach is popular so parking can be a bit of a problem during peak seasons. Get there early!
Granny's Pool in Salt Rock is great for the little one's. (And grannies of course)
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Salt Rock
Granny's Pool in Salt Rock is great for the little one's. (And grannies of course)
Our favourite swimming spot! As always...very busy during peak times so parking a little bit difficult. But if you get there early it shouldn't be a problem.
Tip: Park at the undercover paid parking near the Umhlanga Sands Hotel.
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uMhlanga Rocks Beach
South Beach RoadOur favourite swimming spot! As always...very busy during peak times so parking a little bit difficult. But if you get there early it shouldn't be a problem.
Tip: Park at the undercover paid parking near the Umhlanga Sands Hotel.
Our favourite places to eat.
There are so many eating out options in Ballito and surrounding areas. Here are some of our favourites.
If you enjoy atmosphere, character and a good steak, this is for you. Meals are prepared on an open fire.
Booking essential
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Peron Peron Argentinian Grill
8 Ballito DrIf you enjoy atmosphere, character and a good steak, this is for you. Meals are prepared on an open fire.
Booking essential
Al Pescatore Italian Restaurant
14 Edward PlGreat for seafood and right on the beach.
The Waterberry Coffee Shoppe
Best cheesecake in town. Child friendly.
The Country Club is a short walk away. Great value and excellent food if you are prepared to wait a little longer than usual.
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Zimbali Country Club
R627The Country Club is a short walk away. Great value and excellent food if you are prepared to wait a little longer than usual.
Awesome view of the ocean, great menu with reasonable prices.
Pop up when you are one the beach for a midday snack or sundowners. Offers a lamb on the spit on Sundays!
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Bellézar Beach Café
10 Lagoon DrAwesome view of the ocean, great menu with reasonable prices.
Pop up when you are one the beach for a midday snack or sundowners. Offers a lamb on the spit on Sundays!
A host of options available here.
Best seafood and well priced too!
Sip champagne at the Oyster Bar.
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The Market
A host of options available here.
Best seafood and well priced too!
Sip champagne at the Oyster Bar.
Kids stuff!
Things to do when you get tired of the beach!
Cyclists haven. Great for families who want a break from the beach.
Offering over 150 mountain bike- and running-trails (suitable for both novice and experienced riders), here, families can enjoy fun cycling together.
Head quarters feature hot showers, toilets and even a bike wash. Visitors can also relax and enjoy a quick coffee or light meal at Sugar Rush Cafe or playtime at a fancy Kids’ Activity Zone.
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Sugar Rush Park
Esenembe RoadCyclists haven. Great for families who want a break from the beach.
Offering over 150 mountain bike- and running-trails (suitable for both novice and experienced riders), here, families can enjoy fun cycling together.
Head quarters feature hot showers, toilets and even a bike wash. Visitors can also relax and enjoy a quick coffee or light meal at Sugar Rush Cafe or playtime at a fancy Kids’ Activity Zone.
A primate haven. Take a walk through a forest and meet the monkeys!
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Monkeyland KZN
Salt Rock RoadA primate haven. Take a walk through a forest and meet the monkeys!
The Jump Park
Esenembe Roadi-Crocodile Creek
77 Greylands RoadInteresting!
I-Farm yezilwane ze-Flag
Sheffield Beach RdWonderful place to visit with little ones.
Visited recently and enjoyed it all over again! Aquarium is always impressive and the water park is a must! Take plenty of sunscreen! Beach in front of park is also great for swimming.
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uShaka Marine World
1 Signal RdVisited recently and enjoyed it all over again! Aquarium is always impressive and the water park is a must! Take plenty of sunscreen! Beach in front of park is also great for swimming.
For him and her.
Time out together? Try one of these!
Ballito is quite well-known for its microlights, and an exciting activity to enjoy is a microlight flip over this beautiful area.
Flights give you a bird’s eye of the coastline and local beaches. The pilots are highly experienced and hold sound safety records.
Comefly trips can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.
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Comefly! Microlight Flights
Ballito is quite well-known for its microlights, and an exciting activity to enjoy is a microlight flip over this beautiful area.
Flights give you a bird’s eye of the coastline and local beaches. The pilots are highly experienced and hold sound safety records.
Comefly trips can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.
Always a favourite! In the iconic Oyster Box Hotel. Get there before sunset and watch the sea and sky change colour while sipping cocktails. Great views of the lighthouse and ocean.
Bookings essential!
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The Lighthouse Bar
2 Lighthouse RoadAlways a favourite! In the iconic Oyster Box Hotel. Get there before sunset and watch the sea and sky change colour while sipping cocktails. Great views of the lighthouse and ocean.
Bookings essential!
Tranquil spa set amongst the tropical bush...and only five minutes away by golf cart.
Mangwanani Private Afican Day Spa
18 Douglas Crowe DrTranquil spa set amongst the tropical bush...and only five minutes away by golf cart.