Looking for a peaceful seaside holiday? Salt Rock in the KwaZulu-Natal Province should be your destination of choice. This charming village on the Dolphin Coast is where you will find locals from inner cities holidaying during the summer vacations. No more than a 40-minute drive from the big city lights of Durban, Salt Rock is far enough away for that feeling of remoteness necessary to stay chilled.

In the early 1800s, Zulu king Shaka would send young females down to the beach to collect salt off the rocks and it’s likely that the village is named after this practice.

The beach at Salt Rock is regarded as one of the best along this section of the coastline. Informal traders sell their unique beach hats and beachwear at the entrance and quirky restaurants offer snack foods to be enjoyed over a magnificent sea view.

Dolphins frequent the bay and watching them adds to the tranquillity one experiences on this type of holiday.

Top 6 reasons to visit Salt Rock

1. Relax on Salt Rock’s golden beach, patrolled by lifeguards and protected by shark nets. The tidal pool offers safe swimming and a treasure trove of marine life for children to discover. Further down the coast, 15 minutes away, is the Blue Flag appointed Westbrook Beach.

2. The surf at Salt Rock sometimes produces foam-free barrels with a good left hand point break best surfed in the early morning. Hire a board and get surfing!

3. The trendy Tiffany's Shopping Mall has 30 stores and services that include a few restaurants, medical services and a large anchor store. Plenty of parking available.

4.Head to the nearest angling store to hire a rod and obtain advice on bait required to haul in king mackerel and garrick. The best fishing spots are below the Salt Rock hotel or further south at Shaka’s Rock.

5. The Umhlali Country Club has a Peter Matkovich-designed 18-hole golf course that could easily compare with other top courses for design, layout, conditioning and beauty. All visitors are welcome and golf coaching lessons are offered.

6. For those wanting nightlife action, the neighbouring town of Ballito is roughly 8km from Salt Rock. Ballito has an energetic after-hours scene, from late night restaurants at the fashionable Ballito Village to nightclubs and beach bars that stay open well into the early morning hours.

Transport

The nearest airport is King Shaka International Airport, 25km from Salt Rock. There are many car rental agencies in Durban city centre and at King Shaka airport to hire a vehicle, or you could order a vehicle online. Several shuttle service companies are based in Durban and the airport for travel to and from Salt Rock. Uber also operates in Durban, however, fees are costly and it’s best to hire a car.

Did you know?

Salt Rock experiences high levels of humidity, enough to curl your hair! Fortunately the ocean water is tepid and sea temperatures rarely drop below 20° Celsius, warm enough to swim even during the brisk winter months.

The subtropical temperatures also make for perfect conditions under which tropical fruit thrive. Sample the locally-produced bananas, mangos, avocados, granadillas, pineapples and various nuts sold at a nearby market or retail store. The wax apple (also known as the royal apple), native to the Middle East, is able to grow here thanks to the region’s high humidity.