Location: Umhlanga Rocks
Top Things to do in Umhlanga Rocks
Top Restaurants in Umhlanga Rocks
The 5 Best Things to Do in Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
Umhlanga is an affluent residential, commercial and resort town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, created in 2000, which includes the greater Durban area. (the correct pronunciation of "hl" in Umhlanga is similar to the Welsh "ll"), the name means "place of reeds" in the Zulu language. It is bordered by Durban North to the south and Mt Edgecombe to the west.
Restaurants in Umhlanga Rocks
1. Umhlanga Main Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 747 reviews
Reviewed By newyorkseestheworld - NYC
Once you come of the dunes from the parking lot, the beach spreads out with gorgeous white sand, teal and aqua colored water and waves galore. We encountered crabs scurrying on the beach and small clear fortune cookie shaped items with a blue bottom. We were unsure why people weren't in the water, but it became super clear when a large wave hit the area where we were walking.
Man of War jellyfish....there were small ones in the water. They were the small clear/blue items that watched up on the beach. Unfortunately, one wrapped itself around my ankle and stung me. It also hit my opposite ankle as I tried to remove it. My sister was stung on the calf as we climbed further up the beach. Even though we weren't in the water but walking it's edge, they still got us.
We didn't have any remedies, so we sat on our towels until the pain and stinging subsided. We still had tingling until bedtime later that evening, so about 8 hrs later.
Beware of the Indian Ocean, other people at our Safari group went to Cape Vidal and were stung at that beach as well.
2. Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
More than a shopping centre, but a giant theater that is dedicated to entertaining you. We specialize in taking the therapy of retail to a whole new dimension. Prepared your senses for overload at the biggest shopping complex in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the coolest malls in the country. Grab your ticket and prepare to be thrilled, excited and asking for more.
Reviewed By wjw2018 - Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
After a long period of time away from Durban I came back this week and had some jobs that needed doing which involved me having to go to Gateway. Firstly they're renovating the entranceway where I usually park so I had to walk far to get from my car to the next available entrance door. CNA have disappeared so I had to walk miles to the other end of the mall to buy a SIM card at Checkers where they had the longest slowest queue EVER at the Moneymarket counters. I was sad to see that the 4x4 driving track has gone, as has the Barnyard Theatre and Cinema Nouveau...which have been replaced by a banking ATM mall. The art shop has also gone as part of this supposed 'upgrade'. It's nowhere near as nice as it was before. The escalators are all boxed off at the centre of the mall too. It just looked like a work in progress and meant I had to walk miles to achieve the few jobs I needed to get done. Disappointing, and quite narrow parking spaces in the areas where you actually COULD park. I'm not a fan of shopping centres and the experience this time has put me off even more. Good helpful guys in the Samsung shop though!
3. Whalebone Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Lelen G
This is the ideal spot for couples interested in taking strolls for sunrise or sunset. Especially, after dinner this is the perfect place to just enjoy the ocean without getting wet. Architecturally the structure is stunning but it’s so much more than that.
4. Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 229 reviews
Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom basks lazily in the green hills just north of Durban. Conveniently situated between Umdloti and Umhlanga, it is the ideal getaway for those seeking all the thrills and spills, laughs and luxury KwaZulu-Natal has to offer. In the Sibaya Casino, players and gamers can try their hand in some the biggest and most exciting tournaments that South Africa has ever seen.
Reviewed By wilnaventer - Durban, South Africa
We booked our year-end function and it was overall a huge disappointment and never again! The Court Grill Room was a disaster, there was no bar where we as a group could just sit and have a drink until the restaurant open, so we had to stand around. Then we book for the Cracker Comedy show, OMG - now i understand why so many people just do not attend these shows. It was extremely amateur, it was only humor directed at one group of audience, there was nothing Cracker Christmas comedy at all, and all 14 of us left at interval, then to try and find a nice place for coffee and dessert was another story! Eventually Aqua let us in for excellent coffee and dessert. But never again!
5. Makiwa Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By philippe v - Banchory
Mostly his own work, which is very bright and happy. There are some beautiful bronzes of wildlife. Some other artists as well. Coming from overseas, with the exchange rate the art works are "cheap at the price". The bronzes are well worth a look and are beautifully executed and perfectly cast. The paintings are a very recognisable style and are a feast of colour. We enjoyed viewing them, but sadly they don't fit our decor, or we would have bought one. Well worth a visit, plenty of great coffee and lunch places around to chat about what you have seen.
