Things to Do in North Coast (Dolphin)

An integral part of protecting the vibrant tourism industry, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board has been protecting popular KZN beaches from shark incidents for over 40 years. KZNSB boats launch each morning to patrol the coast and clear the shark safety gear of any catches. At least once a month each net is rotated ensuring that every net in the installation is removed and repaired before being placed back in the water. Marine growth as well as wear and tear can cause damage to the nets and it is only through the regular maintenance of equipment that an efficient and cost-effective service can be delivered to the local authorities. The public are given a unique opportunity of being able to view firsthand the servicing of the nets off Durban’s Golden Mile from the KZNSB Tour Boat. These two hour trips leave Wilson’s Wharf at 06:30. After witnessing the meshing operations, there is the chance of opportunistic viewing of wildlife including seabirds. Trips are weather and sea conditions permitting. Bookings are essential – call 082 403 9206. Cost – R250 per person (as at August 2010). The boat trip can be followed up by an excursion to the KZNSB Headquarters in Umhlanga at 1a Herrwood Drive. An audio-visual presentation is followed by a fascinating shark dissection on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 09:00 and 14:00. Sunday afternoon dissections take place at 14:00. Cost – adults R35, children or pensioners R20 (as at August 2010). Tips for your safety at the beach from KZNSB: Swim at protected beaches Obey the lifeguards on duty Avoid swimming in dirty water (river in flood) Avoid swimming at night (between dusk and dawn) Avoid swimming alone Remember: Alcohol and seawater make a lethal cocktail – to be avoided at all times.

Superbly situated on 48 hectares of coastal highland, with 360 degree ocean and hinterland views, Sibaya combines spectacular elements inspired by traditional Zulu architecture with state-of-the-art technology, distilled from extensive research across the globe into the latest concepts in casino-resort entertainment.This magnificent gaming and entertainment complex has brought a significant capital injection as well as employment opportunities to the province’s coastal belt north of Durban. It has also offered an unprecedented experience of the vibrant multi-cultural background of KwaZulu-Natal, infusing elements of fantasy to create a richly rewarding entertainment environment.Central components of this grand-scale fantasy environment are the outstanding casino facilities. These include the innovative use of smart cards for the convenience of all players, and 1001 slots and 37 tables available in three areas, a Main Casino floor, a Smoking Casino and the exclusive Royal Court Privé. The Privé is the most sophisticated in the country and houses smoking and non-smoking slots and tables, and also boasts views of the Indian Ocean.The Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom incorporates the Royal Sibaya Hotel, a luxury hotel with 12 suites and 24 rooms for exclusive use by top end gamers, as well as the Sibaya Lodge, a 118 room limited facility hotel catering for the leisure and conference market. Complementing these world-class hospitality facilities is an imaginative and comprehensive spectrum of restaurants and bars.These include A2A a deluxe buffet featuring food from African to Asia; Aqua a speciality seafood restaurant; the Royal Court Grill a fine dining steak house, Sondela Tavern serving African fusion food, an exclusive MVG (Most Valued Guest) Lounge; a number of elegant bars, Gabbiano & Co Coffee Shop offering beverages, coffee and a light menu; and a fast-food court featuring three different food options Steers, Debonairs and Nando’s.Other amenities include a sweet shop, as well as family amusement facilities, the Magic Company a children’s entertainment centre and a crèche.Krakatoa, Sibaya’s ‘volcanic eruption’ three-tier show bar is an experience in sensory dazzlement. This night life venue, named after one of the most famous volcanos in history, is one of the most happening nightspots in town. The spectacular venue is split into three hospitality levels and is used all year round for product launches events and parties as well as being a nightclub on Fridays and Saturdays.The 592 thatched iZulu Theatre which opened with the internationally acclaimed African Footprint and over four years has seen major productions grace its stage including Umoja, Bounce, Tap Dogs and Bollywood Crush.Experience true African pampering based on traditional African healing therapies and indulgent royalrituals for men and women at the award winning Mangwanani Private African Day Spa at Sibaya. The spa is set in a spectacular authentic Zulu village overlooking rolling green hills with breath-taking views of the warm Indian Ocean.Traditional and contemporary Zulu designs and themes recur throughout Sibaya. Exquisitely designed water features echo the tranquility of the nearby Ohlanga River in the complex’s lushly landscaped, scenic surrounds.

Hip, hot and always happening, Wave House is the coolest place for youngsters to hang out in Durban. Conveniently located at Gateway’s Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, it’s also a fantastic spot for a family outing, offering an awesome fusion of boardsport cultures.Choose an experience from mild to wild. Get n-n-nervous on the mighty D-Rex, the first of its kind double-point break standing wave. The two beach-break Flow Riders are suitable for beginners and family fun. Skaterats will enjoy the 4 000 m² Skate Park designed by 10-time world skating champion, Tony Hawk.And if all that action makes you hungry and thirsty, there are fully-stocked bars and a restaurant featuring a wrap-around deck overlooking the extreme sport action. Regular entertainment ranges from live bands to amazing events. Durban’s ultimate attracts numerous visitors including international board sport stars.

Willard Beach is the main attraction for visitors to Ballito. Part of the Dolphin Coast's magnificent stretch of golden beaches and sheltered coves, Willard Beach is perfect for a day of fun in the sun. From swimming beaches that are protected by shark nets and attended by professional life savers, to popular surfing spots and tidal pools, the Dolphin Coast has it all.One of KwaZulu-Natal's top beaches, Willard Beach is set against a backdrop of holiday accommodation and tourist facilities. The long sandy beach is great for leisurely strolls and family beach fun. The sea is warm and the surf is good. Plenty of entertainment options include scuba diving, microlite flips and a selection of great seafood restaurants.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

In 1961 Umhlali Country Club was established as a 9 hole golf course, some years later and under the skilful hand of Peter Matkovich, the course was redesigned and a 2nd nine holes were added. Both the course and the club underwent a total transformation in 2006, still under Peters’ watchful eye, and the results speak for themselves. Today this world class 18 hole golf course has a halfway house, pro shop, golf cart hire, bowling greens, five tennis courts (of which two are floodlit), secluded swimming pool and two glass-backed squash courts.

One of the biggest malls in the southern hemisphere, Gateway Theatre of Shopping offers an incredible choice with 380 top-notch retailer stores, the most up-to-date entertainment and sophisticated fashion.Visitors are guaranteed an experience way beyond what one would normally expect from a major shopping mall.Grab your kids and let them lose on the soaring indoor climbing wall, the scary D-Rex or gentle wave machine. Wannabee Einstein’s can have fun while exploring the secrets of the universe at the ScienCentre. There’s so much on offer for families at Durban's entertainment hub – even a dinner theatre that will have you slapping your thighs and rolling in the aisles with tears streaming down your cheeks.

Irresistible ocean and forest views, exceptional water and wetland features and an inspiring natural setting where conservation takes precedence as well as a memorable course with charisma and challenge - could anyone ask for more? The exclusive Zimbali Country Club is situated along the coastal area of KwaZulu-Natal, an area featuring some of the best golf courses in South Africa. Having been described as 'an enthralling journey through 18 holes', the changing terrain stretches the skill yet captivates its participating golfers. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, his philosophy of "presenting a fair challenge to any level of play" the essence of this course is that it will reward the good shot and punish the bad. Zimbali Golf Course is just 50 km from the top golf course in South Africa, the Durban Country Club. Other world class golfing venues situated on this coastline are Prince's Grant, Umhlali Country Club, Royal Durban Golf Club, and Mount Edgecombe. The Country Club provides full amenities for golf, including compulsory golf carts, a halfway house, putting greens, a driving range, tennis courts and a bar and lounge facility. Zimbali truly is the ideal venue for the discerning golfer who would like to not only test his/her abilities on some of the finest golf courses in Africa, but who would also like to do so in style. In terms of the ultimate golfing experience, Zimbali is amongst the top 10 courses in South Africa to receive the Complete Golfer's Five-star Golf Experience Award; based on service excellence, top-class clubhouse facilities, golf course conditioning and last but not least the overall lingering experience. Zimbali Country Club and Golf Course is rated independently by Golf Digest magazine as a top 250 South African golf course, as well as a top five finest golfing experiences in South Africa.

The palm-fringed Salt Rock Beach has great surf, beautiful off-shore reefs for diving and some good fishing spots. It's a popular family beach with picnic areas, showers and a massive tidal pool. Salt Rock Beach is protected by shark nets and fully trained lifeguards are on duty seven days a week from 6am until 5:30pm.

Visit a lighthouse on the Sugar Coast that recently caused an un-nautical stir – draped in a condom! The landlubber nonsense on Umhlanga's beach was all for a noble cause and brought a massive HIV-Aids awareness message on World Aids Day. The red and white 21-metre tall lighthouse was draped in fabric to resemble a giant condom and inscribed with the message 'Know your status'. So what was the reason behind this controversial transformation? Iain Buchan from the Unlimited Child, an NGO working in the Valley of 1000 Hills, says they wanted to highlight the plight of Aids orphans. “The feedback I've had so far from some of our people here has just been fantastic. We're getting people sending us SMSes, blogging, just saying it's incredible, the response and the awareness. And that's really what putting this condom on the lighthouse has done. It's kind of shaken people's awareness to say, 'ok this is different, and how can we get involved?'." Now it’s business as usual for the Umhlanga Lighthouse, beaming out nightly signals visible to vessels as far as 24 nautical miles away. The fixed red light enables ships waiting to anchor in the outer anchorage to monitor their position. You will find this landmark near the end of Lighthouse Road in Umhlanga.