Kwazulu Natal Dolphin Coast - Balito

Ballito, Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu Natal: Ballito in the heart of the North Coast 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.

Some History: Ballito's origins date back to 1953, when a group of entrepreneurs began investigating land to develop a township in the Compensation beach area. Proclaimed a township in 1954, Ballito, whose name was gleaned from a magazine advertisement meaning Little Ball became a town board in 1966. Ballito, which reached borough status in 1986, is well known for its superb, safe beaches.

For the small price of a licence, which can be purchased at the Natal Sharks Board, you can pick your own mussels off the rocks, collect oysters or bring in fresh crayfish from the Indian Ocean. Ballito's friendly village atmosphere is a welcome haven from the fast pace of big city life, yet it offers all modern amenities and services to residents and holiday-makers.

Dolphins: 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.

Beaches: The main swimming beach in Ballito is Willard Beach. Willard Beach has Blue Flag Status. 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.

Fishing: 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 (Telephone: 031 205 - 5278).

KWAZULU-NATAL'S NORTH COAST

KwaZulu Natal's North Coast are magnificent stretches of endless beaches and rolling fields of sugar cane.

Where the dolphins play

The coastline is relatively clear and the shallow waters attract dolphins who swim close to shore in order to feed. Thus the North Coast is also known as the Dolphin Coast where surveys suggest that at least 200 dolphins, in small groups, frequent these waters

The towns along the North Coast are popular for holiday makers who are attracted to their friendly village atmosphere, their beautiful beaches, rocky coves and shallow paddling pools.

Nature's playground

There are plenty of activities to choose from. Excellent fishing and diving spots can be found along the coast including some scenic challenging golf courses. Surfing, sunbathing and swimming are popular past times for locals and holiday makers alike. Tennis courts, squash courts, bowling greens and well equipped fitness centres are available in the area.

Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve, situated on the banks of the Tugela River and run by the Parks Board. It offers picnic sites and walking trails and there is a small variety of game and large variety of bird life. The Crocodile Farm has over 7000 Nile Crocodile plus snakes and other reptiles. The farm includes bush and hill trails, curios and refreshments.

The many towns such as Ballito and Shakas Rock offer a wide variety of restaurants to suit all occasions where visitors can spend the evening enjoying mouth watering dishes, take in one of the latest movies or dance the night away to the latest music craze. For 'shopaholics' there are modern shopping centres and specialist shops catering for all tastes.

KwaZulu Natal Dolphin (North) Coast Attractions and Destinations: The Dolphin Coast stretches from the Umdloti River to the Tugela. Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins can be seen frolicking here all year round. The larger humpback dolphins are also present throughout the year, but these shy Dolphin are rarely seen. Both the bottlenose and common dolphins are extremely playful, swimming alongside humans and following boats. Many of the first Indian immigrants settled here and the markets, mosques and temples give an authentic Eastern flavour to the Dolphin Coast.

The dolphin Coast Destinations

Tongaat

Situated in an area where sugar was first planted in 1854, Tongaat's Indian ambience is accentuated by two prominent Hindu temples - the Juggernath Puri Temple and the Vishwaroop Temple.

Zimbali

Zimbali is a cluster of residential sites plus an exclusive hotel resort set in pristine coastal forest with a rugged, unspoilt coastline providing the perfect setting to get away from it all. Special care has been taken to minimise the impact of residential sites on Zimbali's environment. Designed by former SA PGA and British Open champion and international golfing star, Tom Weisskopf, the 18-hole Zimbali Sun Golf Course is both challenging and unforgettably beautiful. Zimbali is a nature lovers wonderland and home to a wide variety of wildlife, small antelope, butterflies, birds and marine life. Nature trails through the indigenous coastal forest highlight the strict conservation programme that has been introduced.

Zinkwazi Beach

Nestled between beach and lagoon, Zinkwazi is a nature lover's wonderland of walks, fishing, spectacular bird life, indigenous forest, water sports and endless beaches. The tranquil lagoon (the longest in KwaZulu Natal), is ideal for a picnic in the company of the izinkwazi fish eagles perched along the banks of the lagoon. An abundance of indigenous trees, prolific bird life will delight the visitor to this area.

Stanger

Shaka, the Zulu king, had an important military outpost at Stanger. This is where he met his death at the hands of his assassins. He was buried the following day, upright in a grain pit, and the site is commemorated by a monument in Couper Street, the main entrance to Stanger. Memorabilia from the early days of the sugar cane industry can be seen in the Natal North Coast Museum in Glendow Mill Street.

Ballito

Ballito is one of the Dolphin Coasts premiere Tourist Destinations and the Pearl of the Dolphin Coast. Ballito is well known for its superb, safe beaches. For the small price of a licence, which can be purchased at the Natal Sharks Board, you can pick your own mussels off the rocks, collect oysters or ... about Ballito

Salt Rock

Salt Rock is a gem of a holiday resort with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. The name dates back to King Shaka's era, when his handmaidens collected dried salt at low tide for bartering with the early Colonial settlers. Near the main bathing beach complete with lifeguards is yet another large tidal pool. The Salt Rock Country Club caters for the visitors basic sporting needs including tennis, bowls, squash and swimming.

Shaka's Rock

Shaka's Rock is a small residential area with a picturesque stretch of sandy beach, boasting a tidal pool flanked by rocky cliffs. The beach is a favourite ski-boat launch site and beach goers are often treated to the spectacular launching and beaching of the daredevil wave riders returning from a deep sea fishing trip.

Sheffield Beach

Sheffield Beach has some quaint sheltered coves and rock pools which will gratify the snorkel-enthusiast. There are also excellent fishing and diving spots at Sheffield's northernmost beach, Christmas Bay.

Blythedale Beach

Blythedale Beach is just one of several holiday resorts at the northern end of the Dolphin Coast. The nearby Umvoti River mouth is prolific in bird life and forms part of the Blythedale Conservancy. The beach is protected by shark nets and is popular for swimming, surfing and fishing.

The Dolphin Coast Attraction

Beaches

The Dolphin Coast offers visitors a combination of modern facilities at it's sun drenched seaside 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.

Important to note that Willard Beach, the main swimming beach in Ballito 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 through a hole in a cliff-best attempted at low tide.

The following is the list of beaches in the North Coast: Ballito Beach, Zinkwazi Beach, Umhlali Beach, Tinley Manor Beach, Thompson's Bay Beach, Sheffield Beach, Shaka's Rock Beach, Salt Rock, Blythedale Beach, Clark Bay.