Ballito

Description

Located on the North Coast of South Africa is the beautiful coastal town of Ballito. Situated just 30 minutes outside of Durban in KwaZulu Natal, Ballito is a popular holiday town known for its wonderful subtropical climate, outdoor activities and of course its absolutely gorgeous beaches. The town is located in the heart of the Dolphin Coast, and is a great destination for those looking to soak up the African sun, as well as for those looking to have some fun in the rolling waves of the warm Indian Ocean. The town truly does have something for everyone, and is definitely a must-visit when in South Africa. Muslims visitors should be aware that they will be able to find Halal food in Ballito, but locating prayer areas will be quite hard.

A must-visit when in Ballito is its 4 kilometre long promenade which stretches out from Salmon Bay to Willard Beach. It is a fantastic place which offers an incredible view of the Ballito coastline. The promenade is also known for providing access to the town’s beaches, and is great for walking and jogging.

And of course while here, a visit to the beautiful sandy beaches is a must. There are two beaches in Ballito which are ideal for swimming; Willard Beach, which has Blue Flag Status, and Clarke Bay, which is home to the Ballito tidal pool. The stretch of coastline in Ballito is known as the Dolphin Coast. The waters are warm and wonderful and the beaches are wide and golden. Other activities that are quite popular in Ballito and involve the water are; surfing, kite boarding, body boarding, scuba diving and jet skiing. The beaches in Ballito are also home to bottlenose dolphins which can be seen close to the shore throughout the year. Tourists might also be able to spot a whale or two if they visit during the annual migration period of the whales.

Also worth a visit is the Litchi Orchard Market which takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month. It is located in the coastal town of Umhlali on Seaforth Avenue. At this gem of a market, visitors will find a plethora of items ranging from fresh food items like: artisan breads, Indian dishes and organic vegetables, to jewelry and beautiful flowers and clothes. The market focuses on showing produce that is sustainable, fresh, seasonal and local. Set up in a picturesque old litchi orchard, the Litchi Market is definitely a Saturday morning must-visit.

Ballito is also a great place for shopaholics. It is home to three major shopping centres: The Lifestyle Centre, Ballito Junction and Ballito Bay Mall. Tourists will find supermarkets and department stores here, as well as internationally known clothing stores and so much more.

Nearby Airports

The King Shaka International Airport in Durban is the closest major airport to Ballito. This airport offers domestic and international flights, and is located about 24 kilometres from the center of Balitto.

Halal Restaurants

There are a couple of Halal restaurants in Ballito, like Café Rumanah, Economy Store and Kauai at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. Although these restaurants are said to be either Muslim owned or Halal certified, it is best to double check before dining. Muslims visiting Ballito could also dine at local vegetarian and seafood restaurants after making sure the dishes served do not contain any non-Halal items.

Mosques

There are no known mosques in Ballito, but there are a few towns located nearby that do have mosques. The closest town to Ballito, which is said to have a mosque, is KwaDukuza, or Stanger. Muslim tourists will have to travel to KwaDukuza to use the facilities offered at the Stanger Jaamia Masjid. The nearby towns of Shakaskraal, Tongaat and La Mercy are all also said to have mosques. There are also quite a number of mosques in Durban; which is located about 30 minutes away, with the Juma Masjid being the most notable. The Gateway Musallah, the Effingham Juma Masjid, Masjid-e-noor, Musjid al-Hilal, and the Islamic Centre at 156 Queen Street are all frequented by locals and tourists.

Things to Do and See in Ballito

• The Ballito Promenade
• Sangweni Tourism Centre
• The Crocodile Creek and Reptile Park
• Ballito Tidal Pool
• Outdoor activities
• Clarke Bay
• Willard Beach
• Flag Animal Farm
• Morewood Memorial Gardens
• Ballito Lifestyle Centre
• Ndlondlo Reptile Park
• Salmon Bay