Visit the Dolphin Coat Market Saturdays at the "Circle" in  Ballito !
Open from 7.30 to 12 noon.

The beach , of course, is the main attraction for most visitors and the Dolphin Coast has a magnificent coastal stretch of golden beaches and sheltered coves to lure the sun lover.  The main bathing beach - Willard beach, provides safe swimming and qualified life-guards on duty seven days a week and is also protected by shark nets.  It has a fully equipped first aid station.  Willard Beach is also a popular spot for the surfing and body boarding fraternity and competitions are organised regularly providing beach-goers with the best moves and grooves on the waves.

Lifeguards and shark nets are also provided at a second beach, Clarke Bay, to ensure that parents have a worry-free holiday and the children one of pure pleasure.  Further south is the Ballito tidal pool which caters for the big and small with two different size pools.  They are well maintained, kept clean and are home to a wide variety of sea life.

Moving South is Salmon Bay which is a popular spot for surfers.  The Ballito inflatable boat clubhouse is also located here.

Ballito is home to plenty of fishing spots which guarantee keen fishermen of at least a good bite and perhaps the catch of a lifetime,  There are also numerous diving spots for the spear fishermen and beautiful reefs for the scuba diver.

Natal Sharks Board staff regularly patrol the beaches, both to assist anglers and also to ensure that restrictions are observed.  A pamphlet explaining coastal fishing and regulations is available free of charge from the Natal Parks Board coastal officers or from the Dolphin Coast Publicity Association in Ballito.

One can either soak up the sun or take a leisurely stroll along our scenic beach-front promenade.  Breathe in the fresh sea air and feel the breeze on your face whilst taking in the natural beauty of Ballito's coastline on an easy 2.5km walk.

For a change from soaking up the beach atmosphere, there are many interesting places along the Dolphin Coast for you to explore.  These include a Crocodile Farm, Animal Farm, Sugar Mill, and Gardens.  For day trips further afield, please follow this link to the Tourist Newsline

Crocodile Creek 

Near Tongaat, one can witness timeless Africa as well as enjoy a refreshment in the thatched Lapa of Crocodile Creek.  Watch how the experienced guides handle the crocodiles, whilst explaining the fascinating lifestyles of these African Reptiles.   From 600kg monsters to cute little hatchlings, visitors are enchanted by the display.

Flag Farm Animal Farm

 

Young and old will have a delightful time at  Flag Farm Animal Farm - Salt Rock where you can spend the morning enjoying a real farmyard experience.  Beautiful Fresian work horses, Welsh ponies and cart horses will take you for a ride around the yard.

Enjoy a ride on a tractor and an opportunity to feed the chickens, milk a cow and see an amazing collection of exotic birds, bunnies, pigs, goats and sheep.

There is also a tea garden to relax and enjoy a snack.

Sugar Mill 

As the Dolphin Coast is surrounded by the 'green gold' of sugar cane fields it may be appropriate to visit the nearby sugar mill in Maidstone / Tongaat and discover how sugar is made.  The crushing season starts in July and ends in December and bookings to visit the mill are essential.

Morewood Memorial 

While visiting the North Coast where the fields of 'green gold' are abundant, consider taking a visit to the Edmund Morewood Memorial.  Best visited in a group due to the remote nature of the site. It is situated amongst the rolling cane fields of Compensation, ten minutes from Ballito and is the site of South Africa's first sugar mill.
 
The garden commemorates the life and work of Sir Edmund Morewood, who grew the first commercial cane in South Africa and was the founder of the South African sugar industry. When his first crop of sugar cane reached maturity he made the first sugar ever produced in this country, in a primitive factory which once stood where the garden now lies. This was in 1851.

The pond, which lies in the garden, is built on the site of the old millpond, fed by a spring, from which Morewood drew the water he needed for his factory. The hexagonal building in the centre of the garden stands where Morewood built his storeroom and the original foundations have been preserved. Beyond this building is the site of Morewood's factory with the fireplace near the site of the store.  The curved piece of steel is believed to be part of the original boiler.

The picturesque garden provides an interesting heritage site which has been designated National Monument status.  

ATTRACTIONS FURTHER AFIELD

For more information on Attractions in and around the area, contact the  Publicity Association.