A beach that goes on and on at Umlalazi

33 Replies

Whether you’re a sun worshipper, an adrenaline junky, a sports nut or just looking for a quiet position from where to contemplate your place in the world, the beach at Umlalazi definitely has a spot where you can enjoy the Indian Ocean just the way you like it.

Excellent information boards explain the different habitats
A beach that stretches for many miles!
A beach that stretches for many miles!
Grey-headed Gulls are numerous on the beach
Grey-headed Gulls are numerous on the beach
A beach that stretches for many miles!
The line where the dune forest meets the beach
The “blind” mouth of the Siyayi stream
A beach that stretches for many miles!
Dune vegetation
A beach that stretches for many miles!
A beach that stretches for many miles!
Palm Nut Vulture being harried by a gull at sunrise over the beach
Umlalazi sunrise
Easter fun on the beach

33 thoughts on “A beach that goes on and on at Umlalazi”

    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Luckily I’ll never know exactly how many snakes I passed while walking in Umlalazi’s forests, I’ll just know about the one that I did have a fleeting glimpse of…

      Reply ↓
      1. Six Seasons Trails's avatariAMsafari.com

        Same here; we’ll be lucky to see one every now and then, let alone get bitten. Most people in Oz are very snake-wise so unfortunate encounters are far and between

    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      The contrast between the green growth, colourful flowers and the apparently sterile sand really catches your eye while exploring the beach, thanks Ilex!

      Reply ↓
    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks Ashu! We specifically went to the beach to experience sunrise over the Indian Ocean one last time before tackling the long road back to Pretoria. And how glad we were that we did!

      Reply ↓
  15. Dan Drews's avatarDan Drews

    Your picture of the beach next to the forest intrigues me. Is that beach advancing on the forest or has it encroached no further? Also, are those school children on the beach at Easter? Great pictures. thanks.

    Reply ↓
    1. DeWetsWild's avatarde Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks Dan!

      The forests have actually grown on the dunes, on the land side where the dune protects the trees and other vegetation from the wind and saltspray coming off the sea. At the same time, the dense vegetation does a good job of keeping the sand in place so that it doesn’t penetrate very far into the forest – the dune actually drops very sharply to the forest floor on the other side. There’s actually several “rows” of dunes inland on which the forests have grown over millennia, only the first coming from the seaside is recognisable as a sanddune now. And as you can see from the picture, the meeting point between sand and forest is quite distinct! We’ll be sharing some photos from Umlalazi’s dune forests on Friday and you’ll see how hard it is to believe that such magnificent forests have grown on such a sandy substrate!

      The local Christian community from Mtunzini and surrounds organised several activities on the beach over the Easter weekend to keep young and old entertained with good, clean fun while paying suitable attention to the significance of the days we were celebrating. It was certainly well attended and seemingly much appreciated by the locals and holidaymakers alike.

      Reply ↓

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