Things to Do in Ballito: Activities, Golf, Shopping and Eating on the North Coast

Ballito and the North Coast pack more into a short stretch of coastline than most people realise. From Zimbali in the south to Sheffield Beach in the north there are tidal pools, walking trails, four golf courses, markets, adventure parks and a food scene that keeps growing. This guide covers the lot, grouped by what you are in the mood for.

Activities

Thompson's Bay and the Tidal Pool

A sheltered cove between Ballito and Shaka's Rock, best known for Charlie's Pool, a 106-metre tidal pool built in 1962 by Charles de Charmoy, one of the largest on the coast. The pool holds sea life, corals among it, so look and do not touch. The Hole in the Wall is at the southern end, a short walk past the tidal pool, and should only be walked through at low tide. Facilities include toilets. Arrive before 9am on summer weekends, the parking fills fast.

Thompson's Bay, Ballito

The Ballito Promenade

The main stretch runs from Kuta Kola to Willard Beach, about 2.5 kilometres of paved and wooden walkways along the coast. At the southern end a rougher footpath carries on a short way towards Zimbali. The promenade does not continue north to Thompson's Bay or Salt Rock. Walkers, runners and families share the path all day. Dolphins are spotted regularly, especially in the mornings, and between June and November humpback whales migrate past close enough to see from shore.

Salmon Bay to Willard Beach

Sugar Rush Park

An adventure park on Esenembe Road with far more than mountain biking. Zip-lining, drifting carts, a treetop obstacle course, bungee trampolines, mini-golf, paintball and laser tag, a gemstone scratch patch and a reptile park keep families busy for a full day. The 5 km parkrun runs every Saturday through the cane fields. A cafe serves light meals and coffee. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and weekends from 8:30am. Closed on Mondays outside school and public holidays.

Esenembe Road, Ballito

Water Sports at Willard Beach

Willard is the action beach, for bodyboarding and surfing. Ballito Surf School gives lessons from the main beach every day, with boards included, and times its beginners' lessons for low tide. Its shop, at the Belvista Centre near Salmon Bay, rents boards.

Willard Beach, Ballito

Dolphin and Whale Watching

Bottlenose dolphins are resident year-round and spotted from the promenade most mornings. Between June and November, humpback whales migrate past the coast close enough to see from shore without binoculars on a good day. The best vantage points are the rocks at Thompson's Bay, the Salt Rock headland and any elevated pullover along the M4 coastal drive.

Crocodile Creek

A family crocodile farm between Ballito and Tongaat, running since 1983, with several thousand Nile crocodiles as well as alligators and West African dwarf and slender-snouted crocodiles. Guided tours run through the day, some with feeding, and visitors can usually hold a young crocodile. Tour times, feeding days and prices change with the season, and its website was down when we checked in October 2026, so phone 032 940 4444 before you go. The last stretch of road is rough, so a higher-clearance vehicle helps.

Near Tongaat, off the R102

Holla Trails

More than 375 kilometres of marked routes for mountain biking, trail running and walking, across private sugar-cane farmland, starting at Sugar Rush Park on Esenembe Road. You need a permit, which you buy at the trailhead, and you use the trails at your own risk.

Simbithi Eco-Estate Walking Trails

The walking trails inside Simbithi wind through coastal forest with birdlife that rivals a nature reserve. Duiker, bushbuck and vervet monkeys live here. The trails are for residents and their guests. The estate's Fig Tree Restaurant is open to non-residents.

Simbithi Eco-Estate, Ballito

Salt Rock: Granny's Pool

Salt Rock has a tidal pool in front of the hotel and, a few hundred metres north, Granny's Pool, which is shallow and sheltered and suits small children. Further north on Sheffield Beach Road, Flag Animal Farm combines a water park with animal encounters and is a reliable full-morning outing for younger kids. The Salt Rock main beach is wide, holds Blue Flag status and is usually quieter than Ballito's. See our Salt Rock guide.

Salt Rock

Golf

Four courses lie within about 20 minutes of Ballito: Zimbali, Zimbali Lakes, Simbithi and Umhlali. Prince's Grant is a longer drive north, near KwaDukuza. All five take visitors, by booking.

Zimbali Country Club

An 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Tom Weiskopf, set inside the Zimbali coastal forest with ocean glimpses and rolling dunes. It reopened to non-members at the start of 2026. The club's 2026 fee sheet lists a visitor rate of R1,300 for 18 holes, plus R540 for a cart. See our Zimbali guide.

Zimbali Estate, Ballito

Zimbali Lakes

A separate 18-hole, par-72 Ernie Els design within the Zimbali Lakes Resort, opened in 2025 with a new clubhouse completed in 2026. Bent grass greens and water features, with a clubhouse and restaurant that are open to the public.

Zimbali Lakes Resort

Simbithi Country Club

South Africa's first executive golf course, designed by Peter Matkovich. Eighteen holes, par 60, with 13 par-3s and a signature island green on the 17th. Built for a sub-three-hour round, which makes it a realistic midweek option. Ask the pro shop about carts and walking.

Simbithi Eco-Estate, Ballito

Umhlali Country Club

An 18-hole, par-71 parkland course by Peter Matkovich on a former sugar cane plantation. Undulating fairways and Dwarf Paspalum greens. The club calls itself the gem of the North Coast, and visitors are welcome.

Umhlali

Prince's Grant

Further north near KwaDukuza, an 18-hole links-parkland layout by Peter Matkovich and Hayes, reconstructed in 2020. It publishes its visitor green fees, and the estate is cashless.

Near KwaDukuza

Shopping

Ballito Farmers Market

The big one. More than 150 traders every Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 2pm on the R102 near Umhlali. Farm produce, artisan food, crafts, fashion and wellness products. There is a dedicated kids' area with pony rides, a vintage train, dodgems and face painting. Free entry, free parking, pet-friendly.

R102, near Umhlali

The Litchi Orchard

A litchi farm on Seaforth Avenue in Salt Rock with shops and places to eat, which has also hosted day and night markets. Its website said in October 2026 that it was renovating, so check its Instagram page before you go.

Salt Rock

Ballito Lifestyle Centre

The boutique side of Ballito shopping. Independent shops, galleries, salons and Eat Street running through the middle. The village atmosphere makes browsing feel like a morning out rather than an errand. Several of the restaurants in our eating guides are here.

Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Main Road

Ballito Junction

The convenience anchor. Woolworths, Checkers, Pick n Pay and the big-box stores. Between the Junction and the Lifestyle Centre, most errands get handled without driving to Gateway.

Ballito Junction Mall

Sage Centre

A boutique open-air shopping village in Foxhill, Salt Rock, set under indigenous trees. Tenants include Mimosa Restaurant and Bar, Greenhaus, clothing boutiques, salons and estate agents. Open daily from 7:30am to 4pm.

1 Old Fort Road, Foxhill, Salt Rock

Eating

Eat Street

The dining spine of the Lifestyle Centre. Not a public road but a purpose-built precinct with indoor and outdoor seating, live music on weekends and sundowner specials from 4pm to 6pm. Current restaurants include 45 on Eat Street (bistro, seafood, sushi), ATTIKOS (Greek and Mediterranean grill), Beira Alta (Portuguese), LUPA (Italian), Zaras Cafe (continental, Greek-Italian), SOI 55 (Thai street food) and Tiger's Milk (burgers, grills, cocktails).

Eat Street, Ballito Lifestyle Centre

La Piazza

Open on Albertina Way since 2013. Wood-fired pizza, pasta and antipasti, with gelato from its own gelato bar. Bambini Land, a paid indoor play area for under-eights, and an arcade make it an easy choice with children.

The Well, Albertina Way, Ballito

Mozambik

A South African chain that calls its food Afro-Porto. Prawns with peri-peri or lemon and herb sauce, espetadas and trinchado. The menu warns that food is cooked to order and can take 30 to 40 minutes.

Belvista Centre, 12 Library Lane, Ballito

Breakfast and Brunch

Concha, Kuta Kola, The Waffle Society, Wimpy are just the top of the list of the best breakfast spots in Ballito. There are loads more and Ballito is a haven for early morning spots to grab a bite, have a breakfast meeting or just take a lazy morning.

Lunch and Sundowners

Lunchtime usually means somewhere with a view. Al Pescatore has served Italian food and seafood in Ballito since 1989, and its deck faces the ocean. For a quieter afternoon, the Salt Rock Hotel deck is hard to beat: wider beach, fewer crowds and ocean views that rival anything further south. Another choice is Donna Modern Italian, at the New Salt Rock Centre.

Dinner

Ballito's dinner options spread across the whole area. Mozambik down in the village brings Mozambican-Portuguese flavours with peri peri prawns and amazing chicken dishes. La Piazza at The Well is a long-standing local favourite for wood-fired pizza and Italian classics. Siggi's in Salt Rock serves German dishes and draught beer, and Fireroom Sushi and Grill at The Capital Zimbali serves sushi and flame-grilled dishes. For something different, the Fig Tree at Simbithi Estate is perched on the top of the 18th green and offers a great seasonal menu. For the full list of favourites, see the guide to Ballito's best restaurants.

Coffee

Ballito has a serious coffee culture and the best spots are spread across the area. Salt Cafe on Ocean Drive is a local staple for the best coffee and paninis early in the morning with is street side cafe vibe. Catia's in the mall and its smaller sibling Catia's Petite at the Well have built a loyal following for mouth watering breakfasts and fresh pastries. Just off the N2 in Sage Centre is Sky-, formerly Skyline, which pairs good coffee with a chill outside seating area and a mouthwatering chocolate banana bread. For a full rundown, see our best coffee spots in Ballito.

Going further? See things to do on the KZN North Coast, from Ballito to the Tugela.