So you are visiting Durban and want to know which are the best beaches to visit? Have a go at the southern beaches especially if you are interested in surfing but for more family orientated beaches travel further north and you will come across the very family orientated Umhlanga Rocks Village.
The beaches of Umhlanga allow you to explore the beautiful rock pools with your family. Umhlanga’s beaches offer you a huge variety from surfing to exploring the rock pools. Visit the main beach or walk further along to Bronze Beach to surf and body board in shark protected and life guarded beaches. If you are looking for somewhere to explore with your children the Lighthouse looms over some lovely rock pools where you will be able to find many different species of our wonderful sea life. It is also possible to snorkel in Umhlanga and many of the locals learn this skill at Umhlanga’s famous Granny’s Pool. Granny’s Pool is a sheltered bay with small swells. Many of the boats launched from Unhlanga are launched from here but it is by no means busy in fact it is on the rare occasion that your swim will be disturbed by the boats.
Traveling even further north and away from the manning crowd you will encounter Umdloti. Umdloti is a quiet holiday village with some gorgeous little alcoves to go swimming in as well as snorkelling and do some surfing. These beaches are not protected by shark nets as there is a reef at backline that protects the shoreline. The main beaches are patrolled by life guards. Walk along the beach and take your pick of which little rock pool or alcove you would like to explore. These alcoves are the perfect places to teach your children the skills of body boarding and snorkeling safely and confidently. It is also possible to surf on the main beach and you will be surfing with the locals, many of whom have grown up in Umdloti so make sure you tap into their advice and knowledge of the local area!
Ballito is another holiday town, and is slightly more busy than Umdloti, with stunning beaches that is easily reached from Durban. Dolphins are commonly sighted here hence the coastline is known as the Dolphin Coast. Ballito has many safe beaches and rock pools as well as a Tidal Pool which ensures that families are able to spend a fun filled happy day exploring, snorkelling and surfing.