Umhlanga Rocks

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General Information

Situated on the east coast of South Africa just north of the vibrant Port City of Durban is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, Umhlanga Rocks. People from around the world flock to the holiday resort village of Umhlanga to relax and have fun.

Umhlanga is perfectly positioned for any leg of your South African adventure. It's just a ten-minute drive on the N2 (southbound) from King Shaka Airport and situated on the northern beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, 16 kilometres from the centre of Durban

Initially home to San hunter-gatherers, the area south of the Tugela River (including present-day Umhlanga) was later occupied by Nguni-speaking people who were unified under King Shaka in the early 1800s into the proud Zulu nation. Soon after the area came under British control, that become part of the large estate belonging to the great sugar entrepreneur, Sir Marshall Campbell, who had come to South Africa from Glasgow in 1850. Indian indentured labourers were brought in to work on the sugar estates in 1860, bringing with them a vibrant and colourful culture, which gave the area its unique multicultural flavour.

Umhlanga's first beach cottage was built on a rocky site overlooking the sea in 1869 and in the true spirit of Umhlanga hospitality tea and scones were served to those who passed by. The reflective roof of the cottage was also used as a beacon by passing ships' captains to navigate safely around Umhlanga's rocky headland. Then in the 1930s, the cottage was transformed into the Oyster Box hotel and in 1953 Umhlanga's distinctive red and white lighthouse was built to warn seafarers away from the hazards of the rocks. The first hotel in Umhlanga was built in the 1920s by the daughter of Sir Marshall Campbell, Virginia. Other hotels soon popped up after these two and the village of 'Umhlanga Rocks' became the most preferred area for locals to visit during their holidays. The rest, as they say, is history.

An amazing variety of tropical fish and coral reefs is found wrapped along the Umhlanga coastline, making it a perfect place for scuba diving and snorkelling. The mixture of Umhlanga’s wide assortment of activities and the stunning landscapes is what makes Umhlanga a popular tourist destination. Whether wanting to just sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of the area or wanting to enjoy a diversity of exciting activities, Umhlanga has something to offer everyone.

Accommodation in Umhlanga Rocks

Places to stay with Accommodation in Umhlanga Rocks, includes hotels, self catering accommodation, guest houses, bed and breakfast, lodges etc

Umhlanga Rocks Activities

Umhlanga offers some of the best South African tour operators, an abundance of entertainment, restaurants and nature trails, all in a safe environment. Some of the significant attractions that Umhlanga Rocks has to offer are the impressive Gateway shopping centre and Sibaya Casino. Ocean devotees and outdoor adventurers will be in their element; surfing, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and dolphin viewing, scuba diving, kite boarding and micro light flips are just some of the many events offered on this wonderful stretch of coastline. For the golf enthusiasts there are many fabulous golf courses all within a 15 minute drive of Umhlanga. With many people either tying the knot here or spending their honeymoon here, Umhlanga is a paradise for the romantically inclined.

Businesses

A great selection of Restaurants, coffee shops and pubs to choose from!

Umhlanga Rocks Tourism Office Information
Web address:	https://umhlangarockstourism.co.za
Telephone:	031 561 4257
E-mail:	info@umhlangatourism.co.za
Address:	Shop 1A, Chartwell Centre Chartwell Drive Umhlanga Rocks KZN, So