Things to Do in Umhlanga: 27 Ideas from the Lighthouse to Sibaya

Umhlanga runs from the lighthouse and the beachfront up the hill to Umhlanga Ridge and Gateway, and north through Sibaya to Umdloti. Here are 27 things to do in and around Umhlanga. We checked each one in October 2026 against its own website or a dated report, not by visiting, so confirm prices and hours before you go.

Pick by the kind of day

• Just turn up: the promenade, the lighthouse and the Whalebone Pier (1 to 3), the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve (5), the Umdloti tidal pool (7) and Gateway (10).
• Book first: the Sharks Board show (8), Total Ninja on a weekend (13), a padel court (16), high tea or the curry buffet at the Oyster Box (19 and 20) and a tee time at Mount Edgecombe (27).
• With small children: the Sharks Board (8), the Mini Ninja area at Total Ninja (13), be.UP Park (14) and Mr Funtubbles and Build-A-Bear (17).
• A rainy day: the Museum of Illusions (11), Nu Metro (12), Indy Karts (15) and Exclusive Books (18).
• Something more active: the Saturday parkrun (6), Total Ninja (13), the climbing walls at be.UP Park (14), padel (16) and golf (27).
• An evening out: the swallows at sunset (9), dinner at the Ocean Terrace (20) and a show at the iZulu Theatre (24).

The beachfront

1. The uMhlanga promenade. The paved beachfront walk from Durban View Park, which has parking and a jungle gym, north past the lighthouse and the pier towards the lagoon. The uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct has kept 24-hour security along the whole promenade since 2010. See our story on 20 years of the UIP.
2. The Umhlanga Lighthouse. Completed in 1954, it stands 21 metres high and its light reaches 24 nautical miles. It has never had a keeper. The Oyster Box is its custodian, and the lighthouse alarm is wired to the hotel's reception. Read the history of the lighthouse.
3. The Whalebone Pier. Built in 2007 as a stormwater outlet and shaped like a whale's skeleton, it runs 80 metres out to sea. Go at sunset. See Umhlanga's enduring landmarks.
4. Main Beach and Bronze Beach. The two swimming beaches on the promenade. Bronze Beach, at the northern end, is where the walk to the lagoon starts. Swim between the lifeguards' flags, and check the city's water results first (see Good to know).
5. The uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve. Coastal forest and the Ohlanga estuary at the north end of the promenade, run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. A raised boardwalk leads in from the promenade, and the trail bridge over the estuary was repaired in 2024. No dogs anywhere in the reserve, the boardwalk included.
6. Umhlanga parkrun. A free, timed 5 km every Saturday at 08:00, starting at the Umhlanga pier on McCausland Crescent. Register once with parkrun and bring your barcode.
7. The Umdloti tidal pool. A rock-walled pool filled by the tide, just north of Sibaya. The Striding Man statue, given to Umdloti by the makers of Johnnie Walker in 2022, stands at the pool. The open beach beside it is known for strong rip currents, so swim only when the lifeguards are on duty. See our story on the Umdloti Coastal Conservancy.

Sharks and swallows

8. The KZN Sharks Board. A 26-minute audio-visual show followed by a shark dissection, on Herrwood Drive. Shows run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 09:00 and 14:00, and on the first Sunday of the month at 14:00. Entry is R60 from age 13, R40 for children aged 4 to 12 and pensioners, and free for children under 4. A dissection needs at least 15 people, so phone 031 566 0400 first. The Board also runs early-morning boat tours to watch its staff service the shark safety gear off Durban's beaches. Book those with the office.
9. The barn swallows at Mount Moreland. About three million barn swallows roost in the reed beds of the Lake Victoria Conservancy, beside King Shaka International Airport, from October. The viewing site opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 17:00 to 19:00. Entry is R50 for adults and R20 for children, by card or Zapper only, and the money goes to the Mount Moreland Monitors.

Gateway, Umhlanga Ridge

10. Gateway Theatre of Shopping. More than 380 stores at 1 Palm Boulevard, open since 27 September 2001. It trades from 09:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Thursday, to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 18:00 on Sundays. The store directory on Gateway's website lists every shop and restaurant. See Gateway at 25.
11. Museum of Illusions. The first in KwaZulu-Natal, opened in April 2026. The museum suggests Parkade B, by the level 2 food court, as the quickest way in. Entry is R250 for adults, R200 for children aged 4 to 12 and for seniors, R770 for two adults and two children, and free for children under 4. Open until 20:00 from Monday to Thursday, 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 19:00 on Sundays. See our report on the opening.
12. Nu Metro Gateway. Nine cinemas, opened in October 2025, including South Africa's first ScreenX, which wraps the film around three walls, plus 4DX, Xtreme and a Kidz Cinema. See our report on the opening.
13. Total Ninja. An inflatable and obstacle course inspired by the Ninja Warrior television series. An hour costs R160 from age 4, or R80 in the Mini Ninja area for children under 4, with half off a second hour. Book for weekends and public holidays.
14. be.UP Park. Trampolines, climbing walls, an aerial obstacle course, a zip-line and a big maze for children. In school term it opens at 11:00 on weekdays and 09:00 at weekends.
15. Indy Karts. A wide kart track with 12 Sodi 270cc karts, and timing that keeps the track records online.
16. Virgin Active Padel Club. Padel courts that non-members can book, with gear to hire.
17. Mr Funtubbles and Build-A-Bear Workshop. Funfair rides that parents can ride too, apart from the kiddie rides, and the shop where children make their own soft toy.
18. Exclusive Books. The Gateway branch of the bookseller that opened its first shop in Johannesburg in 1951. For what to read next, see Exclusive Books Recommends for October.

Eat, drink and shop in the village

19. High tea at the Oyster Box. In the Palm Court every day from 14:30, which is also the last seating. R595 for adults and R395 for children under 12. Visitors are welcome, and you book online.
20. The Oyster Box curry buffet. In the Ocean Terrace. Dinner only from Monday to Thursday, and lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday. Lunch is from 12:00 to 15:30 and dinner from 18:30 to 22:00. R495 a person, the same for children under 12.
21. Bardot at The Pearls. A restaurant and beach bar with shaded outdoor tables and a view of the sea. See our Riviera lunch at Bardot.
22. Oceans Mall and the Platinum Walk. The Platinum Walk is the luxury wing of Oceans Mall on Lagoon Drive. Bogart Man was the latest to open there, in August 2026. See our Platinum Walk feature.

Sibaya

23. Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom. The casino, its restaurants and two hotels, the Royal Sibaya and Sibaya Lodge, at 1 Sibaya Drive. No one under 18 may gamble.
24. A show at the iZulu Theatre. Sibaya's theatre hosts comedians, singers and other performers. Coming up are Lady K on 22 November, Legends of Dance 4 on 13 December and two chutney and nagara nights on 15 and 16 December. See what's on in Umhlanga.
25. Reefside Lifestyle and Leisure. The new centre in Sibaya Coastal City. Weylandts opened its showroom there on 3 October 2026, bringing its Ballito and uMhlanga stores under one roof, with Shoots and Leaves serving food inside. See the new Weylandts Sibaya showroom and Sibaya Coastal City.
26. Marine Walk. The Sibaya precinct's shopping centre, open since 2022, with shops, restaurants and cafes. See our report on its opening.

Golf

27. Mount Edgecombe Country Club. Two courses at Mount Edgecombe: The Woods, laid out by Sid Brews in 1935 and redesigned by Hugh Baiocchi in 1992, and The Lakes, since upgraded by Matkovich Design. Book a tee time with the club before you go.

Good to know

• eThekwini tests the water at its bathing beaches and closes those that fail. The uMhlanga beaches have been closed after sewage spills before, so check the latest results on the city's website before you swim.
• Swim where the lifeguards are on duty.
• No dogs are allowed in the uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve.
• The Gateway attractions fill up at weekends and in the school holidays. Book ahead where you can.

Planning a weekend this summer? See what's on in Umhlanga to the end of December.