Umzumbe Beach

About Umzumbe Beach

The seaside resort town of Umzumbe is situated at the mouth of the scenic Mzumbe River and is characterised by dense coastal dune greenery, warm blue waters, and stretches of empty, sandy beach to explore. Umzumbe Beach is one of its gems, and has been awarded Blue Flag status for its cleanliness, beauty, ecological value, and safety.

This gorgeous beach is safe for swimming and surfing (in fact, it is a popular spot at which to learn to surf). The tidal pool is an added bonus for folk with little ones that aren't quite ready to hit the waves yet. Life guards are on duty throughout the year to ensure that swimmers can feel safe as they splash around in the waves and cool down in the temperate Indian Ocean waters. The beach remains relatively quiet, not overrun by tourists and locals, which makes it a particularly great spot for families that want to escape the fast pace of the metropolis.

The warm sands are irresistible for sunbathing, reading a book, playing Frisbee, or hitting a ball back and forth. Feel the sand under your feet as you take a lazy stroll or a brisk jog and make the most of the fresh air and sunshine. Between July and December, visitors should keep an eye on the salty blue for some of the whales that come past this section of the coast. Humpbacks and southern rights are the most commonly spotted species, and make for really exciting sightings when they spyhop, lobtail and even breach.

The ablutions at Umzumbe Beach have recently been revamped so that they are of an even higher standard. There is plenty of parking available for visitors, but access to the actual beach is via a fairly steep ramp that is inaccessible to wheelchairs.

The appeal of Umzumbe Beach is in its quiet, unspoilt beauty. There aren't restaurants, hawkers, or tourist attractions. It is purely a celebration of the natural splendour of the KZN coastline. The beach and town are just over an hour's drive from Durban.