Thompsons Bay Beach

About Thompsons Bay Beach

Thompson's Bay Beach is a sheltered escape from the elements as well as from the non-stop buzz of city living. It is situated just north of Ballito and near Chakas Rock, along Marine Drive. This is a popular beach for its safe swimming conditions (because it is protected by shark nets and lifeguards), as well as for its warm waters, thanks to the Indian Ocean.

Because it is nestled in a cove, Thompson's Bay Beach enjoys protection from the wind too, making it a fabulous option on days when other beaches may leave you feeling sandblasted. There is also a massive tidal pool, which is great for little ones to explore. Visitors may want to try snorkelling here too. However, sea urchins sometimes make the tidal pool a little tricky to navigate, so those wanting to venture into these waters may just need to check out the conditions first. This pool is known as Charlie's Pool and, when the urchins aren't around, is a fantastic spot for the whole family.

Chaka's Rock is visible from Thompson's Bay Beach, and is acclaimed as a top fishing spot in KwaZulu-Natal. Bring your rod along and try your hand at catching a big one for the table. Or, simply walk or jog on the warm sands to get the most out of your Thompson's Bay experience.

Ice-cream can often be bought here. However, visitors need to bring their own food and water, as there are no stalls or restaurants at the beach. Remember too to bring along plenty of high-factor sunscreen and to keep reapplying it throughout the course of the day to avoid getting nasty sunburn. There are ablutions at Thompson's Bay.

The beach is less than an hour's drive from the centre of Durban and about 25 minutes from the King Shaka International Airport.