Ballito KZN North Coast – Travel Notes From The Editor

Visiting Ballito, KZN North Coast, In Winter

While St Francis was being rocked by a real winter freeze, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Ballito Pro, which took place in Ballito on the KZN North Coast over two weeks recently. Ballito is a lovely place in winter. The surf wasn’t that good, though, as the floods and other giant easterly swells had all but scoured out the sand in most of the beaches.

Beaches

There are four main beaches on the Ballito stretch. Sunrise is the first place to get a hit of the morning sun. Surfers is the main surfing wave, Bathers is the main swimmers’ beach, and Bog used to be a toilet or looked like a toilet. The beaches are relatively safe and monitored by lifeguards, and the water is warm enough to swim all day.

 

 

 

 

Photo Luke Patterson/The Ballito Pro

Weather

fresh mornings of about 10 degrees, accompanied by a chilly offshore land breeze, would give way to the sunshine, and the temperature would rise to about 23 -24 degrees by 11 am. Bikinis and board shorts for everyone at the beach. The onshore easterly picks up like clockwork in the afternoons, and the evenings are chilly again. Still, it is not cold enough for long pants.

Photo Luke Patterson/The Ballito Pro

Restaurants

There are several local restaurants, with Mozambik being the most popular and the main restaurant inside the La Montaigne Hotel being the most popular. A quick Uber would take you into the central part of Ballito, which has numerous restaurants of various styles, prices, and offerings.

The vibe

Ballito is a welcoming and secure destination, with a significantly lower cost of living. The shopping experience is diverse, with a healthy retail competition that keeps prices low. Groceries are affordable, dining out is reasonably priced, and even essentials like surf wax and sunscreen are budget-friendly at local surf shops.

Photo Luke Patterson/The Ballito Pro

Accommodation

Accommodation in Ballito caters to a wide range of budgets and preferences. From luxurious penthouses that offer a taste of opulence to affordable campsites and various chalet options, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant coastal town.

Photo Luke Patterson/The Ballito Pro

The Ballito Pro and The Ballito Festival

The biggest event in Ballito is the Ballito Pro, which is part of the Ballito Festival. Festival activities, live music, markets, and more happen daily.