Looking for the best things to do in Umhlanga? From beautiful beaches and scenic coastal walks to nature reserves and outdoor adventures, Umhlanga offers plenty of ways to enjoy KwaZulu-Natal’s sunshine and seaside lifestyle.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to a favourite holiday destination, we’ve put together some of our favourite outdoor activities and local attractions to help you make the most of your time on the coast.
And when you stay at North Star Micro Hotel, you’re perfectly positioned to enjoy it all, with direct access to the beach right on our doorstep.
Discover the Best Beaches in Umhlanga
Umhlanga is known for its beautiful coastline, golden beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters. One of the best things about staying at North Star Micro Hotel is that you don’t need to travel anywhere to enjoy the beach. With direct beach access, simply cross our lawn and you’re on the sand.
If you are more of a “sit-and-watch-the-waves-roll-in” type of beachgoer, then you really don’t have to venture out any further. It’s only a few steps away so parking and bathroom access are never an issue. You can return to the hotel anytime the sun feels too harsh or the wind starts kicking up. You can even admire the beach from our deck, close enough to smell the ocean and feel the sea breeze, but no need to get sand everywhere.
However, if you prefer to get in deeper than your knees, we suggest you travel a short distance to one of Umhlanga’s excellent public beaches. Here you can enjoy the safety and peace of mind of a lifeguard station and shark nets.
The Best Public Beaches Near North Star
Umhlanga Rocks Beach, Umhlanga Main Beach and Bronze Beach are all less than 5km from the North Star and are well-maintained and safe. The following amenities are available at these beaches:
Public Restrooms:
Public Restrooms are available at Bronze Beach; The Pier; Durban View Park and Main Beach. All 4 are open from 05h00 – 20h00, with Main Beach open 24/7.
Lifeguard Stations:
Lifeguard towers operate at Main Beach and Bronze Beach. The lifeguards go off duty at 18h00 in summer.
Umbrella & Beach Chair Hire:
Umbrellas and chairs can be hired at Main and Bronze Beach.
Shark Nets:
Umhlanga beaches are protected by shark nets that are manned daily by the KZN Sharks Board.
Parking:
Limited street parking is available on the roads that parallel the beach. It can get busy during peak season – so consider having a ridesharing service drop you off.
Durban View Parking Area is right at the start of the Umhlanga Promenade and about 1.1km from Umhlanga Rocks Beach if you walk along the promenade. Paid underground parking is available at the Pearls Mall – just 400m from Umhlanga Rocks Beach.
Restaurants:
You’ll find the North Star’s direct beach access, views and privacy hard to beat. But if you are venturing out and want sea views with your lunch, try Bellézar Umhlanga – Beach Cafe & Bar or the Ocean Terrace at the Oyster Box.
Explore the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
One of Umhlanga’s lovely hidden gems, the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve offers a welcome escape from the busy beachfront. Follow the shaded wooden boardwalks and sandy pathways through indigenous coastal forest, cross the lagoon footbridge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Keep an eye out for vervet monkeys, bushbuck and the many bird species that call this beautiful reserve home.
The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve is a 26-hectare nature reserve protecting a small slice of wilderness that includes a wetland, coastal and dune forest, and serves as a haven for birds, animals and plants. The reserve encloses the Ohlanga River’s lagoon and mouth. The forest forms a natural extension of the less accessible Hawaan Forest, of which the greater part lies inland of the busy M4 road.
The walk is only 2km long and includes wooden boardwalks, well-defined sandy pathways and a footbridge over the lagoon. It is a comfortable walk, mostly shaded and good for families with children – with an unspoilt quiet beach at the end.
Many trees are labelled, which makes the walk more interesting. Trees include coastal red milkwood, thorny elms and buffalo thorns. If you are quiet, chances are good to spot small mammals such as bushbuck, vervet monkeys or duiker. It is also a birder’s haven with 300-odd bird species recorded here.
The walk starts opposite Breakers Hotel, Lagoon Drive – at the end of the Umhlanga Promenade so it’s easy to extend your morning walk into the Reserve. If you would like a guided walk – stop into the Breakers Resort, guided walks can be booked from their information desk.
Walk the Scenic Umhlanga Promenade
An early morning walk along the Umhlanga Promenade is one of the simplest and loveliest ways to experience the area. Watch the sunrise over the Indian Ocean, spot surfers catching the early waves and enjoy uninterrupted coastal views as you make your way towards the iconic red-and-white Umhlanga Lighthouse and Whalebone Pier.
The Umhlanga Promenade:
Umhlanga’s three main beaches are connected through the beautiful Umhlanga Promenade – previously called the O’Connor Promenade. A lovely 2.5 km walk each way, starting at the Durban View Parking lot and ending at the Breakers Resort. The promenade is paved and level – the perfect place for an easy morning walk next to the beach.
The Umhlanga Lighthouse
The Umhlanga Lighthouse is 21m tall and was installed on 24 November 1954. The lighthouse is unmanned and is controlled from the Oyster Box Hotel – the controls are situated in the Hotel office where staff monitor the controls and report to Portnet Lighthouse Services.
The Whalebone Pier
The Whalebone Pier was built in 2007 to reroute stormwater to improve the quality of the beach in the area. The pier was voted by CNN as “The World’s Most Beautiful” in 2014 and the whalebone structure won the South Africa national award for outstanding engineering
Discover Durban on a Guided Walking Tour
Central Durban is just 16km from the North Star – making any Durban activity the perfect day trip. And few things make a better day trip than exploring a city with a experienced local guide at your side. Durban Walking Tours offers a variety of historical and cultural walking tours – perfect for getting fresh air along with a healthy dose of culture, history and local flavour.
We can recommend these two tours in particular:
The walk around the Point area. Durban Point is one of Durban’s most historic and significant urban areas and is a key tourist attraction. It has been transformed from a rundown Precinct into a beautiful showcase. It is also now one of the safest areas in KZN and a photographers paradise taking in the old Victorian and Modern Architecture. Many new and exciting places you would never know existed until you went on this Tour.
A walk through Durban’s informal markets, in Warwick & Victoria Street, the single most authentic African market that South Africa has to offer. A place where over 400’000 people walk through daily and at least 3000 informal traders sell their goods. The products vary from beadwork, traditional arts and crafts, traditional cuisine, fresh produce, music and entertainment, clothing, accessories, traditional medicine and much more
Visit the Umdloti Tidal Pool
A short drive north takes you to the relaxed seaside village of Umdloti. Enjoy its beautiful coastline, explore the tidal pool, stop for a seaside lunch or simply take in the views. It’s a wonderful little change of scenery without having to travel far.
Popular for calm-water swimming, snorkeling (best around low tide), rock pool exploring, and early morning dolphin or whale watching offshore. Free public admission, with a nearby lifeguard tower and various cafes, restaurants, and convenience spots sitting just across the road on Beach Road.
- Tides & Currents: Best visited around low tide for calm, clear water and marine life viewing. Incoming high tides or large swells can wash water over the outer rocks and cause strong flow through the drainage channels. Conditions can vary, so always check local conditions and lifeguard advice before entering the water
- Footwear: The rock floor can be uneven and sharp; reef shoes are strongly recommended.
- Lifeguards: Always check local conditions and lifeguard flags before entering the water.
- Parking: Parking can fill up fast during weekends, public holidays, and peak summer or Easter seasons.
After a day of exploring, there’s nothing quite like returning to the coast, enjoying a refreshing drink and slowing down to the sound of the ocean.
Whether you’re visiting Umhlanga for a family holiday, a romantic escape or a little time away from the everyday, North Star offers a beautiful beachfront setting from which to experience it all.
Make this festive season one to remember. Book your coastal escape at North Star Micro Hotel, Umhlanga.