Umhlanga Rocks Beach is the main beach of Umhlanga on South Africa’s glorious Indian Ocean coastline. Enjoy safe swimming and excellent surfing conditions, visit a famous lighthouse and a wildlife-rich nature reserve and be part of year-round festivals. Umhlanga Rocks Beach takes its name from the large rocks at various points along the attractive stretch of golden sand.
The beach has Blue Flag status, an award given for safety and cleanliness. The long, wide beach has plenty of room to bask in Umhlanga’s constant sunshine and play beach sports, even during the busy summer months. Cool off with a swim in the mild water or spot body-boarders, kite-surfers and surfers performing tricks in the medium-sized waves. Rent surf equipment and arrange lessons with qualified instructors at the surf school in Umhlanga’s town centre.
Go for a walk along O’Connor Promenade, a 2-mile (3-kilometre) boardwalk that frames the beach. Check out the Umhlanga Pier, which resembles a whale skeleton. Visit the 69-foot-tall (21-metre) Umhlanga Lighthouse, a great place to take photos. Come to the lighthouse after sunset to see the bright light that projects out over the ocean for miles. Continue along the boardwalk until you reach Durban View Park and marvel at the views of Durban’s distant cityscape.
Visit the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve at the northern end of the beach to learn about the region’s wildlife with close-up views. Follow the natural trails to discover a verdant coastal forest, colourful trees and flowers and wildlife, such as butterflies and monkeys.
Umhlanga Rocks Beach hosts lively festivals too. The largest is December’s Umhlanga Summer Festival. Watch local surfers in the Lizzard Hurricane Surf Pro competition, take part in family-friendly activities at the Millennium Beach Stage and attend Umhlanga’s annual beauty pageant. Find full details on the festival’s official website plus information about Easter and winter events.
Visitors to Umhlanga Rocks Beach will find ample on-street parking on the roads that run parallel with the beach. Public buses also connect the beach with Durban. Guesthouses and upscale hotels provide a range of beachfront accommodation for those who wish to stay overnight.
