For guests
Activities to Book Near Umdloti
Updated
Surf lessons in Ballito, kite lessons, fishing charters, a whale and dolphin trip, the Sharks Board show, beach horse rides, quad biking, golf and a spa day, all within half an hour of Umdloti. Each card says what you get, what it costs as the operator publishes it, how far the drive is, and how to call, message or book.
Every operator here was checked on its own website, booking page or recent posts on the day shown on its card. Prices are as they publish them, so confirm when you book.
-
On the water
Surf lessons
Ballito Surf School, Willard’s main beach, Ballito
Nobody teaches surfing at Umdloti itself, so Ballito is the nearest place for lessons (confirmed locally by the site owner). Group lessons run daily for an hour, with one instructor to 3 or 4 surfers, and the board, wetsuit and sunscreen are included.
- From the beachfront
- 25 km to Ballito, about 21 minutes before traffic
- Good to know
- Group lessons suit ages 8 and up. Prices are in the online booking, not on the page.
Call 082 330 6216 WhatsApp Book online ↗ bookings@ballitosurfschool.com
From Ballito Surf School’s own pages, checked 24 October 2026.
-
On the water
Kitesurf lessons
Ocean2Air Kitesurfing, 5 Forest Drive, La Lucia
The beginners’ lesson is 3 hours for two students, or 2 hours one on one, on the beach across the road from the shop. Follow-on lessons and a full course are sold on the same page.
- From the beachfront
- 13 km, about 13 minutes before traffic
- Price
- R1,800 a person for the beginners’ lesson; follow-on lessons R850 (checked 12 October 2026)
- Season
- Kite season on this coast runs September to April.
Call 082 880 1888 WhatsApp Book online ↗
From Ocean2Air Kitesurfing’s own pages, checked 24 October 2026.
-
On the water
Fishing charter
Dirty Harry Fishing Charters, launching from Tinley Manor, Ballito or Durban harbour
Private charters only, so the boat is yours: a 24 ft boat that takes up to 9 people, with all gear supplied. Bring a fishing licence, sold at any post office.
- From the beachfront
- Depends on the launch: Ballito is about 21 minutes, Tinley Manor about 29
- Price
- R7,000 for 3 hours, R8,500 for 5 and R10,000 for 8, on a price list from June 2024 (checked 12 October 2026)
- Good to know
- Payment is due before the trip, and the skipper can move it for bad weather. The price list dates from 2024, so confirm the rate when you book.
Call 082 579 3878 WhatsApp fish@dirtyharry.co.za
From Dirty Harry Fishing Charters’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
-
On the water
Fishing charter
Bashford Fishing Charters, Westbrook, just north of Umdloti
Five-hour trips for up to 6 people, the skipper included, on a fully equipped boat. A deposit secures the booking.
- From the beachfront
- 15 km, about 14 minutes before traffic
- Price
- R10,250 for the 5-hour trip, on its own booking page (checked 12 October 2026)
Call 072 596 3442 Book online ↗ info@bashfordfishingcharters.co.za
From Bashford Fishing Charters’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
-
Sharks, whales and dolphins
Whale and dolphin boat trip
Isle of Capri Cruises, Wilson’s Wharf, Durban harbour
Two hours at sea with a permit holder, whose boats may approach whales to 50 m. Each booking needs at least two people.
- From the beachfront
- 27 km, about 24 minutes before traffic
- Price
- R3,300 for two adults, so R1,650 each (checked 12 October 2026)
- Good to know
- Children under 5 only if their parents accept full responsibility. Rough seas keep the boat out of the deep water.
- Season
- May to November, so the last trips of 2026 run in November.
Call 031 305 3099 WhatsApp Book online ↗
From Isle of Capri Cruises’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
-
Sharks, whales and dolphins
Shark show and dissection
KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, 1a Herrwood Drive, Umhlanga Rocks
An audio-visual show followed by a shark dissection, Tuesday to Thursday at 09:00 and 14:00, and at 14:00 on the first Sunday of the month.
- From the beachfront
- 12 km, about 11 minutes before traffic
- Price
- R60 from 13 years old, R40 for ages 4 to 12 and pensioners, under 4 free (checked 12 October 2026)
- Good to know
- A dissection show needs at least 15 people, so phone the office to join one.
From KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
-
On land
Horse riding on the beach
Ballito Beach Rides (Beach Adventures), a private beach just north of Ballito
Two-hour guided rides through bush trails and along a private beach, from 08:00 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 17:00. Beginners and experienced riders are both welcome.
- From the beachfront
- North of Ballito, which is about 21 minutes away
- Price
- R750 a person (checked 24 October 2026)
- Good to know
- From age 6 and up to 105 kg; children ride with an adult. No rides on Thursdays.
Call 084 415 7448 Book online ↗ info@ballitobeachrides.co.za
From Ballito Beach Rides (Beach Adventures)’s own pages, checked 24 October 2026.
-
On land
Quad biking
Ballito Beach Rides (Beach Adventures), off-road trails near Ballito
A one-hour guided quad-bike ride over about 10 km of off-road trails. No riding experience is needed.
- From the beachfront
- Near Ballito, which is about 21 minutes away
- Price
- R600 a person; passengers under 12 R250, under 6 free (checked 24 October 2026)
- Good to know
- You must be 12 or older to drive your own bike. Younger children ride as passengers.
Call 084 415 7448 Book online ↗ info@ballitobeachrides.co.za
From Ballito Beach Rides (Beach Adventures)’s own pages, checked 24 October 2026.
-
On land
Golf
Beachwood Golf Course, Beachwood, Durban North
Open to the public, with visitor tee times and prices on the club’s online booking.
- From the beachfront
- 16 km, about 17 minutes before traffic
Call 031 072 0045 Book online ↗ hello@beachwoodgolf.co.za
From Beachwood Golf Course’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
-
Spa and slow days
Spa day and lunch
Sala Beach House, 75 Ocean Drive, Shaka’s Rock
Treatments at Sala Beach Spa, which day guests can pair with lunch by reservation: a three-course set menu at R695 a head when checked in September 2026. Spa prices are not published.
- From the beachfront
- 26 km, about 24 minutes
- Good to know
- Book treatments well ahead. Day guests are asked not to take photographs.
Call 032 492 0420 spa@salabeach.co.za
From Sala Beach House’s own pages, checked 12 October 2026.
Checked and sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these, or from the place itself. Spot something out of date? The listing page says how to send a fix.
- Ballito Surf School, home page (where it teaches)
- Ballito Surf School, group surf lessons
- Ballito Surf School, Facebook page (contact and intro, post of 9 October 2026)
- Ocean2Air, lessons and prices (home page)
- Ocean2Air, beginners’ lesson (modules 1 and 2)
- Ocean2Air, contact
- Dirty Harry Fishing Charters, about the boat
- Dirty Harry Fishing Charters, rates
- Bashford Fishing Charters, trips
- Bashford Fishing Charters, booking page
- Isle of Capri Cruises, whale and dolphin cruise booking
- Isle of Capri Cruises, contact
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, audio-visual and dissection shows
- Ballito Beach Rides, quad biking, rules and booking
- Beachwood Golf Course
- Beachwood Golf Course, online tee times
- Sala Beach House, contact (spa reservations)
- Sala Beach House, dining (day-guest lunch, set menu rate)