The North Coast is also known as the Dolphin Coast and stretches from the Umdloti River to the Tugela. Its name was given for the Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins which can be seen frolicking here all year round.
Larger humpback dolphins may also be spotted as they too are here all year round, but are much shyer than the playful bottlenose dolphins that swim alongside humans and boats. You will find an authentic Eastern flavour to the Dolphin Coast with all its markets, mosques and markets, which is thanks to the first Indian immigrants who settled here.
A true holiday destination, the Dolphin Coast has a variety of modern facilities at its sun drenched resorts, in a lush, subtropical environment. The shoreline is an exciting blending of golden beaches and rock pools for safe bathing, surfing and scuba diving, rock and skiboat fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. Salmon Bay is a launch area for watercraft and popular for surfing. You will even find the Ballito Inflatable Boat clubhouse here. Ballito is a keens fisherman’s paradise. Fishing licenses can be purchased at any of the local post offices, although licenses for mussels, oysters and crayfish can only be obtained from the Nature Conservation offices. With numerous diving spots for spear fishermen and beautiful reefs for the scuba diver, there is never a lack of entertainment here. Even if you would just like to soak up the sun or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic beachfront promenade, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the breeze on your face whilst taking in the natural beauty of Ballito’s coastline on an easy 2,5km walk.
North Coast Beaches include the following:
Ballito beach, Zinkwazi beach, Umhlali beach, Tinlay Manor beach, Thompson’s Bay beach, Sheffield beach, Shaka’s rock beach, Salt Rock, Blythedale beach and Clark Bay.
Willard Beach is the main swimming beach in Ballito and is a Blue Flag Beach. A 2,4km boardwalk follows the shoreline southwards providing an opportunity for an easy stroll with spectacular views of bays and coves. A more rugged trail extends northwards from Willard to Shaka’s Rock which takes you though a hole in a cliff-best attempted at low tide. It is a popular spot for the surfing and body boarding fraternity and competitions are organised regularly. A fully equipped first aid station can also be found here. And a second beach can be found with provided shark nets. Clarke Bay ensures that parents have a worry-free holiday and the children one of pure pleasure. Further south is the Ballito tidal pool which caters for big and small. Well maintained and kept clean, these pools and home to a wide variety of sea life.
