 Ballito,
Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu Natal: Ballito in the heart of the North Coast
lies nestled between the fields of KwaZulu Natals famous Green
Gold and is flanked to the east by golden beaches and the warm waters of
the Indian Ocean.
Some History: Ballito's origins date back to 1953, when a group
of entrepreneurs began investigating land to develop a township in the
Compensation beach area. Proclaimed a township in 1954, Ballito,
whose name was gleaned from a magazine advertisement meaning Little Ball
became a town board in 1966. Ballito, which reached borough status
in 1986, is well known for its superb, safe beaches.
For the small price of a licence, which can be purchased at the Natal
Sharks Board, you can pick your own mussels off the rocks, collect
oysters or bring in fresh crayfish from the Indian Ocean. Ballito's friendly
village atmosphere is a welcome haven from the fast pace of big city life,
yet it offers all modern amenities and services to residents and holiday-makers.
Dolphins: The waters off Ballito's Beach are the playground
of the bottlenose dolphins, which frolic in the waters close to shore
and are visible all year round. The dolphins favour this stretch of coastline
because of it's relatively clear and shallow waters, allowing dolphins
to swim close to shore in order to feed. Surveys of these waters suggest
that they are frequented by a school of about 200 dolphins, which break
up into smaller groups. Whales can also be spotted on their annual migration
to Mozambique for the summer.
Beaches: The main swimming beach in Ballito is Willard Beach.
Willard Beach has Blue Flag Status. It provides safe swimming with qualified
life-guards seven days a week, and is protected with shark nets. It also
has a fully equipped first aid station. Willard Beach is also a popular
spot for surfing and body boarding.
Lifeguards and shark nets are provided at a second beach, Clarke
Bay. Further south of Clarke Bay is the Ballito tidal pool which caters
for the young and old. The pools are well maintained, clean and are home
to a wide variety of sea life. Moving South is Salmon Bay, which is a
launch area for watercraft. This beach is also popular with surfers. The
Ballito Inflatable Boat clubhouse is also located here.
Fishing: Ballito is home to plenty of fishing spots, which guarantee
keen fishermen of at least a good bite and perhaps the catch of a lifetime.
Fishing licences can be purchased at any of the local post offices. Licences
for mussels, oysters and crayfish can only be obtained from the Nature
Conservation offices at 25 Stella Road, Umbilo in Durban
(Telephone: 031 205 - 5278).
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