Have The Holiday Of A Lifetime At Hotels In Umhlanga

In peak season, especially during July and December school holidays in South Africa, hotels in Umhlanga are full of visitors and tourists wanting to make the most of the sub-tropical Durban climate.

The village of Umhlanga is on the north coast and has long been a favourite destination for beach lovers of all ages and nationalities. Hotels in Umhlanga look on to long stretches of pristine beaches where children can play in rock pools or build sandcastles, teenagers can play bat and ball or touch rugby, and fishermen can cast their lines into the sea from the shore, hoping to get a bite. Lovers stroll, sunbathers soak up the sun and surfers practice their wave-riding skills.

It’s a holiday atmosphere of note, with several top restaurants, bars, clothing shops, jewellers and gift stores in walking distance from hotels in Umhlanga.

Dress is carefully casual, but this is a wealthy suburb and it shows in the style preferences of the visitors.

Umhlanga is on the world professional surfing circuit, however if you’re not in that league and want to try your hand at this sport, surfboards are for hire on the beach. 

It’s advisable to swim in the marked areas where lifeguards are on duty. The backwash can be very strong and the further north that you walk along the beach the more remote it gets. Guests at hotels in Umhlanga who like to swim in the sea can rest assured that the beaches there are protected by shark nets laid and serviced (weather permitting) by the Natal Sharks Board. The nets are 214m long and 6m deep and are secured at each end by two 35kg anchors. Two rows of nets are laid parallel, about 400m offshore and in water that is 10−14m deep. Whale-watching and dolphin-viewing excursions can be arranged, as well as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. 

Hotels in Umhlanga, like the Beverley Hills Hotel, occupy prime spots along the beachfront, which is lined by a paved promenade that leads past the famous red-and-white Umhlanga lighthouse. Joggers, strollers and dog-walkers love the promenade, which can also get very busy, but those feeling like simply appreciating the view can do so from strategically placed benches.

Visitors interested in the flora in the area can learn more about the indigenous plants on the promenade from the booklet produced by, and available from, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).