- KwaZulu-Natal
- Dolphin Coast-Ballito
- Ballito
Ballito, Dolphin Coast-Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal
- Information
- Activités & Divertissement (5)
- Restauration & Bars (1)
- Commerces & Services (6)
Pearl of the Dolphin Coast
Ballito is a small holiday town situated about 60 km north of Durban . This coastal town is nestled between the green rolling hills of KwaZulu Natal and the golden beaches and warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Ballito is the playground and home of the Bottlenose Dolphin which is visible all year round. These dolphins prefer this coastline because of its shallow and clear waters which allows then to swim close to the shore to feed. Whales can also be spotted breaching out the water during their annual migration to Mozambique.
The town is a popular holiday destination with long stretches of golden sandy beaches, perfect fishing and surfing spots and a relaxed atmosphere which guarantees lazy days soaking up the sun. The main beach in Ballito is Willard Beach which has Blue Flag status and provides safe swimming with life guards on duty seven days a week. For non-beach days, the area also offers fantastic nature reserves, eco trails and even a Casino and Entertainment Centre only 20 minutes away.
There are plenty of fabulous restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood to Indian Cuisine and shopaholics won’t be disappointed either! Accommodation in this “resort like” town comes in the form of Hotels, Seaside Chalets, B&B’s, Guest Lodges and self-catering apartments, something to suit tourists’ taste and pocket.
Places to Visit
Things to do and see
- Ballito Boardwalk
- Thompsons Bay Beach
- Clarke Bay Beach
- Tinley Manor Beach
- Salmon Bay Beach
- Willard Beach
- King Shaka Heritage Route
- Flag Animal Farm
- Great Railroad Brewing Company
- The Quarter Boutique Shopping Centre
- Ballito Lifestyle Centre
- Ballito Indoor Market
- Imbizo Gallery
- Holla Mountain Bike Trails
- Inanda Heritage Trail
- Crocodile Creek
- Morewood Memorial Garden
- Ndlondlo Reptile Park
- Harold Johnson Nature Reserve
- Natal Sharks Board
- Zimbali Golf Course
- Simbithi Golf Course
- Umhlali Golf Course
Climate
Ballito receives most of its rainfall during mid-summer, from December to February.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 17˚C and 28˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 10˚C and 22˚C.
Transport
There are daily domestic and international flights into King Shaka International Airport and Ballito is approximately 61 km away via the N2 . Car rental companies are located at the Airport.
Festivals
June / July – Ballito Mr. Price Pro Surfing & Beach Festival: An extremely popular International Surfing Competition with free music concerts and a beach festival.
September – Ballito Strawberry Festival: A family fun filled day of activities, food and music.
November – Umdwebo Lifestyle Festival: This is a six day event taking place in and around the Ballito area. It celebrates the “better things in life” such as art and photographic expos, fine dining, opera and classical music, black-tie affairs and much more.
History
Ballito was initially part of a Sugar Cane Farm owned by Basil Townsend and its history dates back to 1953. At this time a group of businessmen began to identify land in order to develop a township in the area. Ballito was proclaimed a town in 1954 with its name having been borrowed from an advertisement for hosiery by the Company Ballito Hosiery in St. Albans, England. Ballito, in Italian, means ‘little ball”.
By 1986 the town had reached borough status and, not surprisingly, the beautiful town has attracted more and more tourists and permanent residents each year. Ballito today is known as one of the top resort town in the country.