Fairmont Zimbali Lodge

Set within an eco-resort nature reserve with an 18 hole golf course on a beach immediately South of Ballito the Zimbali experience offers plenty to surfer and non surfers alike. You can chose between the beachfront resort or the lodge, our preference was the Lodge accommodation up on the hill due to a lower density of people and the view overlooking the forest and lake, with the ocean in the distance. There is an excellent private hospital 1 minute away if you are travelling with infants.

The drawback is that the Ballito surf spots do require a car, though only for a 3 minute journey. You could walk about 1.5km up the beach to the southerly Ballito breaks, but on a hot day its further than it looks. The resort covers a huge area so a car is required, which would otherwise make this a non-recommendation for STG, but Zimbali was just too good to leave out. This area is very well populated with surf breaks. The locals are super friendly if you are respectful, the sharks are less so.