About Ballito

Ballito, Dolphin Coast

With so many B&Bs, guesthouses and options for accommodation in Ballito, this is a firm favourite for the traveller to South Africa. It is situated along the Dolphin Coast, nestled among the fields of KwaZulu-Natal, and flanked to the east by golden beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

In the heart of the Dolphin Coast, Ballito lies nestled between the fields of KwaZulu Natals famous Green Gold and is flanked to the east by golden beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

The waters off Ballito's Beach are the playground of the bottlenose dolphins, which frolic in the waters close to shore and are visible all year round. The dolphins favour this stretch of coastline because of it's relatively clear and shallow waters, allowing dolphins to swim close to shore in order to feed. Surveys of these waters suggest that they are frequented by a school of about 200 dolphins, which break up into smaller groups. Whales can also be spotted on their annual migration to Mozambique for the summer.

The main swimming beach in Ballito is Willard Beach. It provides safe swimming with qualified life-guards seven days a week, and is protected with shark nets. It also has a fully equipped first aid station. Willard Beach is also a popular spot for surfing and body boarding.

Lifeguards and shark nets are provided at a second beach, Clarke Bay. Further south of Clarke Bay is the Ballito tidal pool which caters for the young and old. The pools are well maintained, clean and are home to a wide variety of sea life. Moving South is Salmon Bay, which is a launch area for watercraft. This beach is also popular with surfers. The Ballito Inflatable Boat clubhouse is also located here.

Ballito is home to plenty of fishing spots, which guarantee keen fishermen of at least a good bite and perhaps the catch of a lifetime. Fishing licences can be purchased at any of the local post offices. Licences for mussels, oysters and crayfish can only be obtained from the Nature Conservation offices at 25 Stella Road, Umbilo in Durban.