Beautiful beaches to visit on the Dolphin Coast this holiday

If you’re in the mood for a day in the sun with the crashing of the Indian Ocean as mood-music and golden sand between your toes, then it’s time to explore some of the Dolphin Coast’s most beautiful beaches.

From Zinkwazi beach to Umdloti, here is a list of must-see beaches and what they have to offer:

Zinkwazi Beach is a long-time favourite of locals. Not only is it a beautiful beach but it also has a lovely lagoon for those who enjoy a little fresh water swimming when they pull themselves out of the breakers.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: Yes
• Parking: Paid parking
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: Yes and there is a restaurant right on the beach.

Tinley Manor Beach is just a short ride north of Salt Rock. It has a tidal pool ideal for the little ones to splash around in – naturally under the supervision of lifeguards.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: Yes
• Parking: Ample
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: Yes

Sheffield and Christmas Bay are our northern most beaches. This is where you want to go if you want a quiet wallow in the rock pools, away from the crowds. This is the perfect beach for toddlers and small children.

• Lifeguards: No
• Ablutions: No
• Parking: Limited parking as these are not very busy beaches
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: No

Salt Rock beach has it all, plenty of parking, a wide sandy beach and great waves for the surfers. It is also a frisbee’s toss from the caravan park and Granny’s pool, a fantastic children’s labyrinth of a tidal pool.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: Yes, but limited
• Parking: Ample parking out of season, however it is best to get there early during peak season. Parking fees may also apply in peak season.
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: No.

Chakas Rock is home to a very special tidal pool, teeming with life, including parrot fish and incredible soft corals. Your children will be delighted to see the treasures this pool has to offer, but tread carefully as the sea urchins have painfully sharp spines.

• Lifeguards: No
• Ablutions: Yes
• Parking: Limited parking, be sure to get there early.
• Pet friendly: No
• Braai facilities: No

Thompson’s Bay is arguably the most beautiful of our swimming beaches. Walk through the ‘hole in the wall’ to discover a number of picturesque coves, made striking by the limestone rock formations of the cliffs.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: Yes
• Parking: Ample parking out of season, however it is best to get there early during peak season. Parking fees may also apply in peak season.
• Pet friendly: No
• Braai facilities: No

Willard Beach is undoubtedly the most popular Ballito beach. This is the party beach, favoured by hip youngsters and families. Surfers have four main spots to choose from here: Bog, Bathers, Surfers and Sunrise. The promenade begins here and runs south, hugging the coastline until Salmon Bay. Popular with joggers, pram pushers and dog walkers.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: Yes
• Parking: Ample free parking
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: No

Umdloti Beach is the place to be if you’re looking for a more ‘hip and happening’ spot along the coast, attracting a younger crowd of holidaymakers. Umdloti has kilometres of parking space just above its beaches and is lined by hotels and quite a few trendy restaurants, cafes and little beach bars.

• Lifeguards: Yes
• Ablutions: No
• Parking: Ample free parking
• Pet friendly: Yes
• Braai facilities: No