By Craig Jarvis

Just 45 minutes from Durban, South Africa, lies the lively coastal town of Ballito. Like many coastal towns in South Africa, it has experienced a considerable growth spurt due to COVID migration. However, not all of these coastal towns have held up. Many people find out that small seaside villages aren’t always as cozy as depicted, with issues like inefficient municipal services, small-town politics, and overcrowding becoming apparent after a prolonged stay.

Ballito, however, has flourished as an efficient and welcoming town with glorious beaches, top-notch restaurants, and everything you need at your fingertips without the need to travel far.

With friendly people, excellent weather year-round, stunning coastlines, and some fine waves, it’s hard to find fault with the place.

Below, we will highlight its positives and share some insider tips about this marvelous location. It’s also worth noting that Ballito is a safe town with low crime rates and a strong community spirit.

WHY GO?

The weather. People often question the weather in South Africa, as we have the Cape of Storms and the cyclone season in the Mozambique/Durban area. Durban’s weather is sublime. In June, the temperature gets pretty cold due to the land breezes that blow offshore through the early hours of the morning. You might wake up to temperatures below 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius), but don’t be fooled into wearing heavy-duty clothing. As soon as the sun rises to a certain point in the sky, somewhere around 8:45 am or thereabouts, the temperature will increase to about 72 degrees F (22 Celsius), and the wind will stop blowing. Then it will heat up some more, the bikinis will be out, and surfers will be surfing all day long in their boardshorts. The only thing that can possibly spoil it all is the onshore easterlies, but they only come around August.

Ballito and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities, from relaxing on beaches like the bustling Willard Beach, known for hosting the Mr. Price Pro surfing competition, to the more serene settings of Thompson’s Bay and Sheffield Beach. Whether you’re looking to explore the picturesque limestone coves at Thompson’s Bay, stroll along the promenade at Willard Beach, or enjoy a quiet day at the northernmost beaches of Sheffield and Christmas Bay, there’s something for everyone to ensure an exciting and memorable trip. For those interested in adventures beyond the beach, safaris and scuba diving are also popular options.

Surfers in Ballito can choose from four main spots at Willard Beach—Sunrise, Surfers, Bathers, and Bog—all conveniently located near amenities like the promenade, skateboard park, and restaurants. For a change of scenery, you can explore nearby beaches such as Salt Rock, with its wide sandy shores and tidal pools, or Tinley Manor for a more secluded experience. For golf enthusiasts, the nearby Maidstone Golf Course, Zimbali, and Umhlali Country Club offer excellent courses.

With the South African Rand (ZAR) being a weak currency, foreign money goes a long way in Ballito. So, you can enjoy your stay without worrying about breaking the bank.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Qatar and Emirates fly directly to King Shaka International Airport in Durban, but otherwise, you’ll need to go through the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. It is a central hub, and most travelers will end up moving through the airport at some stage. It is best practice to watch yourself in all South African airports. While there is excellent security in all airports, caution is still advisable.

Once in King Shaka, it is about 25 minutes to drive to Ballito. You can hire a car at the airport and GPS it all the way home, book an Uber from your mobile, or meet the Uber drivers gathered outside. They do the Ballito run all day, every day. There are also registered taxis at the taxi rank, and they will do the same job as Uber drivers at roughly the same cost. Just remember to hire a bigger vehicle or a van if you have surfboards or other outsize sporting goods with you.

If it’s a daytime drive, enjoy the beautiful north coast scenery, and if it’s a nighttime drive, you won’t see much as there aren’t too many lights along the back roads to Ballito.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

Credit:Sarah Jane Photography

There are too many options to list here. Still, one of the most popular restaurant destinations in the area is The Market at the Lifestyle Shopping Centre. This large, open-plan area offers a variety of restaurants that offer something for everyone, and the service is excellent.

The food market is wonderful for families that can’t agree on what they want to eat, which is the case for most families. Each one can choose from a different food source, such as meat for the carnivores, fish, pizza, sushi, vegetarian, and snacky/deli platters. All in all, it is a fantastic center.

The best restaurant in the area is Mozambik Ballito, with a varied Mozambican-flavored menu featuring chicken, prawns, calamari, and squid heads that are delicious, flavorsome, and well-priced.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

This depends entirely on budget, but the best option is to stay somewhere right on the beach. There are so many choices, and when you see the number of accommodation options, you immediately think this place must be overcrowded. It does get that way, during peak holiday season, but it is mellow for the rest of the time. There are some friendly hotels, apartments everywhere, and Airbnb options as far as the eye can see. The only time it gets fully booked is during the Ballito Festival when the best surfers in the world arrive for the Ballito Pro Challenger Series contest. In fact, there are four contests back to back, all worth different ratings, from the local Surfing South Africa Junior Rookie Rippers contest to the JQS pro junior contest, a WQS 100 tournament, and the Challenger Series event. There are over a hundred surfers and their entourages, a market running every day, live music, and more. If you’re interested in the competitive side of surfing and want to hang with some of the best surfers in the world or even compete against them, this is the time to be in Ballito. Loads of parties are happening, pro surfer hold signings at the local surf shops, and more.

Coco De Mer is a favorite, quaint, and friendly boutique hotel. However, with all the modern conveniences, and although it might be within easy walking distance to the beach, it remains very private and quiet.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The South African rand fluctuates quite dramatically depending on the political situation in the country, but it currently sits at R17.83 to the dollar and R19.83 to the euro.

An Uber ride from the airport should cost you around $20 for a larger vehicle, while an ice-cold beer on arrival will cost around $2.50. To get 20 of the most succulent signature prawns at Mozambik will cost about $16, while a wonderful bottle of South African Chenin to wash them down will add about $10 to the bill.

Accommodation at the very nice Coco De Mer will cost about $150 for two people per night. A self-catering unit in the decent but slightly older units at La Ballito costs about $56 per night and can sleep three or four people.

A trip to Ballito can be inexpensive, but if you feel the need to spend more money and do all the nice things in the environs, plenty of game farms and other adventures will cost more. A trip to Ballito can be surprisingly affordable if you are content to chill on the beaches, surf, enjoy local food, and absorb the vibe.

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