Ballito Introduction
Ballito is a beach town on Dolphin Coast, just north of Durban. Once a sleepy retirement community that only came to life in summer, Ballito has grown significantly over the years. This growth is attributable to its business park and the establishment of the
King Shaka International Airport. Today, Ballito is a holiday destination popular for its golden beaches, warm waters and sightings of bottlenose dolphins, from which Dolphin Coast got its name. Ballito's beaches are also a favourite among surfers.
Hotels in Ballito
Ballito has a wide variety of accommodation types. Given that it's an upscale resort town, Ballito hotels tend to be high-end, ranging from 4-star hotels to luxury B&Bs and self-catering holiday homes. Many of these plush hotels are on the beachfront, with amenities such as full-service spas, outdoor pools, tennis courts and golf course access. Most of these options also have family-friendly features, such as kiddie pools, playgrounds and supervised children's activities. This isn't to say that Ballito doesn't have budget-friendly hotels. There are a number of them, although they're located away from the beach.
Where to stay
Zimbali Coastal Resort is one of the many upmarket gated communities around Ballito. Although it's mainly a residential area, it also has a collection of hotels and holiday homes. Zimbali has access to the beach, as well as a golf course and nature trails.
Shaka's Rock is another upscale residential community around Ballito. It's famous for its tidal pool surrounded by craggy cliffs. Its beachfront is popular for boating. Ballito Business Park is the heart of Ballito's commerce and industry. It has a number of hotels and serviced apartments that cater to the needs of business travellers.
Things to see
Willard Beach is Ballito's main beach. It boasts of golden sand that makes for romantic beach strolls, as well as tidal pools filled with warm water from the Indian Ocean. The beach is also a favourite among the surfing crowd. It also features the Ballito Promenade, the 4-kilometre walkway connecting Willard Beach to Salmon Bay. King Shaka is one of the most important figures of the Zulu Kingdom and South African history. You can visit his monument and learn more about his life at the King Shaka Visitor Centre. If you're into golf, Ballito has plenty of golf courses where you can indulge your love for the sport. Among them are
Fairmont Zimbali Golf Course, Umhlali Country Club and Simbithi Country Club. If you're fascinated by crocodiles and other reptiles, it's a good idea to visit the Crocodile Creek and Reptile Park. It's home to 9,000 crocs and other cold-blooded animals.
How to get to Ballito
Ballito is about 12 minutes away by car from King Shaka International Airport, the main airport serving Durban. The airport handles domestic flights daily, as well as flights from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other African countries. From the airport, it's only a matter of driving along the N2 to get to Ballito. You can also use the N2 to drive to Ballito from anywhere in Durban. Ballito doesn't have a public transport system, so you might need a hire car to get around. However, the town is small and safe enough for you to walk or cycle around.
