Explore Umhlanga
The red and white Umhlanga lighthouse above the rocks and the Indian Ocean

Explore Umhlanga

Your local guide to Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga Ridge and the coast between Durban and Ballito: where to stay and eat, who to call, and what to do.

Photo: Umhlanga Lighthouse by Martie Swart, CC BY 2.0

Stay Eat & drink Trades Building Activities Deliveries Spa Shops

Things to do in and around Umhlanga

A lively beachfront with a famous lighthouse, a promenade, a lagoon nature reserve and Gateway up on the Ridge.

The Umhlanga lighthouse and the Oyster Box hotel
Village

The lighthouse & beachfront

The red and white lighthouse has stood above the rocks since 1954. Around it, Lighthouse Road is packed with cafes, restaurants and grand old hotels.

The palm-lined Umhlanga promenade along the beachfront
Walks

The promenade

A paved walkway along the top of the beach, busy with walkers and runners from sunrise. Perfect for a sea-view stroll.

Sunrise over the Indian Ocean on the North Coast
Beaches

Beaches & sunrise

The main beaches near the lighthouse have lifeguards and shark nets, and the sun comes straight up out of the sea.

The Ohlanga River at the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
Nature

Umhlanga Lagoon

Boardwalks and trails through coastal dune forest where the Ohlanga River meets the sea, with birds, monkeys and butterflies.

Umdloti beach and walkway
Day trips

Umdloti

Ten minutes north: a small seaside village with one of the safest tidal pools on the coast.

The beachfront at Ballito on the Dolphin Coast
Day trips

Ballito

About 25 minutes north: tidal pools, the promenade, surfing and the Dolphin Coast.

More things to do in Umhlanga

Umhlanga wildlife & conservation

The coast around Umhlanga is alive with wildlife: oystercatchers and terns on the beach, monkeys and small antelope in the dune forest of the Umhlanga Lagoon reserve, otters along the Ohlanga River, and turtles, dolphins and humpback whales offshore.

  • 14 animals to look out for, with where to find them
  • The full checklist of birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs, fish and butterflies
  • Threatened species recorded here, and how you can help
Explore the wildlife
African Oystercatcher Southern Bushbuck African Clawless Otter Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Local businesses

Real businesses from Umhlanga, La Lucia and along the North Coast. Each one applied to be listed.

List your business

Guesthouses, restaurants, builders, handymen, spas, surf and dive schools: if you work in or around Umhlanga, people here should be able to find you.

Free for founding businesses

Join now while we launch and your listing costs nothing.

  • Your own listing and business page
  • Call and WhatsApp buttons
  • Link to your website or Facebook page
  • We aim for 250+ views a month, and send you a monthly views report
  • Featured in our Monday newsletter, Umhlanga Weekly
  1. Apply using the form
  2. We check it's a real, local business
  3. Go live, usually within 2 working days

Apply to be listed

Got a photo or logo? WhatsApp it to 082 751 1185 after you apply.

We only use your details to set up and manage your listing.

Supported by

Truck4U You call. We deliver. Ballito moving company with two 1.5 ton trucks: furniture removals, appliances, building materials and deliveries along the North Coast. Get a free quote Kids Love Reading Mystery stories with colouring pages and puzzles for ages 7 to 10. Free colouring pages to download. See the books

Explore more of the North Coast

Explore UmdlotiThe seaside village ten minutes north: a famous tidal pool, sunrise beaches and the Mdloti river mouth.Visit exploreumdloti.co.zaExplore BallitoThe heart of the Dolphin Coast: tidal pools, the promenade, surfing, Salt Rock and Shaka’s Rock.Visit exploreballito.co.zaExplore Tugela MouthThe Thukela river mouth, Mandeni and the quiet north end of the coast: river, wild beaches, fishing and history.Visit exploretugelamouth.co.za

Contact us

A question about a listing, a correction, news for the newsletter or a tip about the area? Get in touch.

contact@exploretugelamouth.co.za WhatsApp 082 751 1185

Explore Umhlanga is an independent local directory, part of the Explore network with Explore Umdloti Explore Tugela Mouth and Explore Ballito. Listings are paid adverts supplied by the businesses themselves.