The Sugar Coast - Welcome to the Sweet Life

Umhlanga Coastline Attractions

Arts, Crafts & Galleries

The Lighthouse

The Umhlanga Lighthouse was completed on November 24, 1954 and has since become an area landmark. The circular concrete tower, painted white with a red band at the top, stands 21m above the beach and has a focal plane height of 25m. The fixed red light enable a ship waiting to anchor in the outer anchorage to monitor its position if the red light can be seen, it suggests the ships anchors have probably dragged and is too close to shore.

The lighthouse is situated near the end of Lighthouse Road in Umhlanga. For more information please contact Umhlanga Tourism Information Centre.

zoom An aerial view of Umhlanga clearly showing the O'Conner Promenade & Lighthouse. Photo: Durban Africa

The Sharks Board

Watch a spectatcular half hour audio-visual presentation, capturing, the drama of the ocean and the energy of the Sharks Board staff as they carry out their daily servicing of shark nets, or watch a shark dissection. Visit the display hall and view a large variety of lifelike replicas of sharks, fish and rays. The curio shop is a treasure trove of unusual and stylish gifts.

The Sharks Board is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 08h00 and 16h00 and on Sundays between 13h00 and 16h00.

Tel: (031) 5660400
www.shark.co.za

Granny's Pool

Originally a sheltered bathing area formed by two natural rock outcrops, the area became the natural launching site for the first ski boats off Umhlanga today it is used by local fishermen and the Natal Sharks Board. Maritime life surrounding Granny's Pool is fairly prolific.

The Hawaan Forest

A unique indigenous woodland area that has remained in its natural state for centuries, this beautiful forest is characterised by many notable species of trees with tropical attributes. It supports a surprising number of animals and a great wealth of birds. The trails are not open to the public; however, walks may be arranged by the Umhlanga Centre of the Wildlife Society, Contact Ms Carnegie on 5611682.

zoom Hawaan Forest Photo: Durban Africa

Shell Midden

The Shell Midden was thought to either have an Arabic or Bushman heritage. It appears that the area was occupied between the 6th and 10th centuries by black iron workers who cultivated sorghum behind the sand dunes. The place appears to have been a popular meeting place where brown mussels were eaten and shells discarded. Pottery as well as evidence of iron working have been found. The Shell Midden is a fragile and precious asset proving that the black iron workers occupied the region. Unfortunately, during the 1984 and 1987 great floods, part of the Midden was washed out to sea.

Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Trails

A delightful trail of approximately one and a half hours begins at Breakers Resort, Lagoon Drive. There are lovely braai and picnic spots along a well-marked path. Contact Ms Carneige on 5611682.

O' Connor Promenade

Named after the late Councillor Ken O Connor, mayor and hotelier of Umhlanga, this promenade stretches from Durban View Park in the south to Breakers Resort in the north. Used by hundreds of people daily with benches placed strategically to give uninterrupted views of the sea and distance markers for keen joggers and walkers.

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Shopping Centres

Gateway Theatre of Shopping


A KZN registered tourism establishment
Gateway is more than a shopping mall – it's billed as a 'Theatre of Shopping' offering visitors, much more than the average shopping centre. The impressive structure, situated alongside the N2 highway in Umhlanga Rocks, houses a vast array of shops, cinemas and restaurants PLUS a huge standing wave known as DRex, a mega skate park designed by international expert Tony Hawk, the highest climbing wall imaginable and now a go-kart track, putt-putt course and a challenging 4x4 track. It's definitely worth a visit since you can nip over the ridge for a swim at Umhlanga Rock's beautiful Bronze beach to cool off after you have exhausted yourself at Gateway.

Telephone: (031)566 2332
http:www.gatewayworld.co.za

For more information on other centres in this area please search the tourism asset database for the province of KwaZulu-Natal or contact Umhlanga Tourism Information Centre.

Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom

A KZN registered tourism establishment.

Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom is destined to evoke superlatives. From the striking architecture and idyllic setting, to the awe-inspiring Afro-Chic atmosphere and the fantasy world of our state-of-the-Art casino, there's nothing pedestrian about the latest Jewel In Sun International's Crown. Years And years of experience, an unfaltering attention to detail and a keen understanding of what really turns our guests on, has resulted in a unique entertainment offering that is as breathtakingly riveting as it is unforgettable, no matter who you are or where you're from.No airs or graces required. Yet, in spite of the grand scale, you're welcomed warmly and invited to be informal and at ease. If you can't resist gawking or staring a little, We'll completely understand. So, feel free. In fact, we'd be flattered. After all, we've really worked rather hard to leave our guests a little short of breath.

1 Sibaya Drive, Umhlanga
Telephone: (031) 580 5000

Dive Sites

Fontao Wreck
Rated in top 15 warm water dive sites of South Africa by Divestyle magazine. The Fontao was a Mocambiquan fishing trawler sunk off the coast of Umhlanga by ORI in 1991. It lies in 27 metres of water with the top of the wreck at 17 metres.

T-Barge Wreck
Rated in top 15 warm water dive sites of South Africa by Divestyle magazine. A T-shaped barge sunk by ORI in 1990 off Virginia Airport between Durban and Umhlanga. It also lies in 27 metres of water with the top of the wreck at 17 metres.

Dolphin Reef
Dolphin Reef is a reef off Umdloti and has a lot of soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and nudibranchs. It stretches for more than 2 km and there are a lot of different sections to dive including ledges and overhangs. The depth ranges from 16 to 27 metres.

Fame Wreck
Fame sank in May 2000, offshore from Ballito. It lies in 19m of water and the mast extends up to 6m! This provides for an excellent training sight, lots of time and air and light penetration and a surprising amount of fish life already.

Lighthouse Reef
Umhlanga Rocks. The Lightouse Reef is directly offshore,just south of the Umhlanga lighthouse.

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