Ballito self-catering Accommodation - best & worst
Whilst Ballito's sandy beaches are usually the perfect platform for a family holiday, one must hope that there is not a repeat of the incident in August 2010 when an adult humpback whale became marooned on the rocks at Boulder Bay. The massive creature is believed to have died at sea and washed ashore during high seas. The carcass began rotting quickly in the sun, creating an unbearable stench, and some residents even hacked off pieces of meat to take home. Efforts to remove the whale failed due to a missed window between tides, and eventually, a large grader was used to clear tons of flesh from the rocks, making it a bizarre and unforgettable event in Ballito’s history.
Best Self-Catering Guest House in Ballito
The best self-catering guest house in Ballito is 9 Frinton-on-Sea. Ask for a room with views of the seas. Eat at La Fiamma. Frinton-on-Sea is situated next to the walkway which runs along Ballito's coastline. It is close to Emberton Beach, but the rock pools closeby offer opportunities for the little ones to wet their feet, without having to walk too far away. All one has to do is type the electronic password into the gate's locking system, and you're on the walkway. The establishment consists of self-catering apartments, each with its own braai area and balcony - be sure not to book the apartments situated a bit further back, which don't have a view. For those who don't enjoy the salty water, there is a pool at the back which is large enough to swim a few lengths in. NB: Check whether water restrictions apply, and whether there are any penalties for going over your quota.
- 78 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito 4420
- Tel : 032 946 2141
Worst self-catering accommodation in Ballito
No specific property stands out as universally terrible; but some self-catering properties in Ballito receive criticism for: poor maintenance and noise:
- Guests have noted issues like outdated furnishings, broken appliances, or unclean facilities in certain budget accommodations. For example, some cheaper units may lack modern amenities or have kitchen equipment that’s not fully functional, like missing microwaves or faulty stoves.
- A few apartments, particularly those closer to busy roads or nightlife areas like Ballito’s main strip, have been described as noisy, disrupting guests’ relaxation. Units not directly on the beachfront (e.g., more than 500m away) sometimes get complaints for being less convenient.
- In some cases, self-catering units advertised as “serviced” lack regular cleaning or have unresponsive hosts, which can frustrate guests expecting a hassle-free stay.
- A recurring issue is listings that overpromise—photos may show stunning views or amenities like pools, but guests find smaller, less impressive spaces or shared facilities that are overcrowded or poorly maintained. Budget options like certain chalets or apartments in areas like Shaka’s Rock or Tinley Manor sometimes get mixed reviews for these reasons.
To avoid a bad experience, look for accommodations with recent, verified reviews (check platforms like TravelGround or Booking.com for guest ratings above 4/5).
List of hotels & guest houses
|
Cheap buses to Ballito
Try an Intercape bus from Johannesburg to Ballito; or:
- Johannesburg Midrand to Ballito is scheduled to take about 10 hours with their mainliner coach on the route from Pretoria to Richards Bay via Durban (NPTA-DBN-RICH)
- Pretoria to Ballito; which is scheduled to take 11 hours and 10 minutes with their mainliner coach on the route from Pretoria to Richards Bay via Durban (NPTA-DBN-RICH)
- Pietermaritzburg to Ballito; which takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes with their mainliner coach on route PTA-DBN-RICH
The most luxurious way to get to Ballito is:
- Pretoria to Durban with Rovos Rail and a shuttle through to Ballito.
Flights
Ballito is situated conveniently close to King Shaka International Airport (about a 10 minute drive).
Best & worst accommodation in South Africa
- Free State
- Bloemfontein best accommodation & worst
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- North West
- Western Cape
- Beaufort West best accommodation & worst
- Cape Town
- Grabouw
- Paarl
Hotel prices
- latest Cape Town hotel prices
- latest Durban hotel prices
- latest Johannesburg hotel prices
- latest Pretoria hotel prices