Durban, Ballito and Dolphin (North) Coast beaches

Durban Beaches (The Saint James on Venice)

Durban's Golden Mile is the popular stretch of beachfront which includes a promenade, ideal for walkers and cyclists, that runs from South Beach (where the uShaka Marine World is located) to the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north. The wide stretch of golden sands is popular with sun-worshippers bathers, surfers, body boarders, kite-surfers and those who love to stroll along the beach. The sub-tropical sunshine and warm waters of the Indian Ocean ensure its popularity throughout the year and most of the Golden Mile's beaches are protected year-round by lifeguards and shark nets.

• Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, a casino complex with a private beach, restaurants, shops and public entertainment facilities.
• uShaka Marine World aquarium, water park, dolphinarium, containing a restaurant with the largest shark tank in the world.
• North Beach, Dairy Beach, the Bay of Plenty and Snake Park beaches are popular surfing beaches separated by the piers.
• The Skate Park in front of the Bay of Plenty caters for skateboarders, roller bladers and BMX'ers.
• The Surfing Museum, a historical site cataloguing some of Durban's surfing history.
• Mini Town with a miniature replica of Durban, complete with a working miniature railway and airport.

Ballito & North (Dolphin) Coast) Beaches (Hotel Izulu)

Ballito is a holiday town located in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa situated about 40 kilometres north of Durban. Owing to regular sightings of bottlenose dolphins who ride the waves of the Indian Ocean in large frolicking schools, this stretch of the North Coast shoreline is often referred to as the Dolphin Coast.. It is an enviable strip of coastline that stretches from the Tongaat River at Zimbali to Zinkwazi Beach and the Tugela River mouth in the north, including the inland areas of Umhlali and Shakaskraal. Also referred to as "The Caribbean of the North Coast ". Ballito, Salt Rock and Shakas Rock are favourite holiday destinations for local South Africans and also foreign tourists on their way  to Zululand to visit the Big-5 Game Reserves and battlefields of the Anglo Zulu War.

The Dolphin Coast is a beautiful playground of warm waters, incredible waves, and glorious beaches set alongside fields of sugarcane in a part of the world endowed with humid and warm weather almost throughout the year.

Willards Beach is the main bathing beach and Sunrise to the north,  very popular surfing and body boarding spots. Competitions are held on a regular basis to showcase the best surfers and body boarders in the country and the beach has Blue Flag Status and offers safe bathing with qualified lifeguards seven days a week. It is protected by shark nets and has a fully equipped first aid station.

A 15 minute walk south of Willards Beach is Clarke Bay with its rocky pools on either side of the beach area. Lifeguards and shark nets are provided for your protection at this beach as well.

Due south of Clarke Bay you will find Ballito's Tidal Pool built on Ballito Point in between the rocks. An ideal spot for a refreshing dip as fresh sea water flows into the pool on the high tides. You will also notice a variety of small fish while swimming in the pool.

Ballito Point at times has a good left break for the surfers into Salmon Bay.

Salmon Bay is a designated watercraft launch beach and a popular surfing spot and just north of Ballito is the very popular Thompson’s Bay where you will also find Charlie’s Pool, a large tidal pool providing safe swimming conditions for both young and old alike. This extremely popular beach has both qualified lifeguards and shark nets to ensure the safety of the swimmers.

Shaka’s Rock & Salt Rock both offer bathing, surfing, rock pools, snorkelling and boat launch sites and are a good choice if you are looking to avoid the crowds. Sheffield Beach is a hot spot for spear fishing and scuba diving. At Salt Rock, access to the beach is through private farms only.

Further up the N2, north of Ballito, is Zinkwazi Beach. This is a breathtakingly beautiful beach with wide expanses of golden sand, lush tropical vegetation, large dunes and exhilarating waves. Zinkwazi is also an excellent fishing and diving spot and is well worth the short trip north.