Zinkwazi Beach is on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, about 85 km north of Durban, 60 km from King Shaka International Airport and 50 km north of Ballito. Whether you fly into King Shaka International Airport or drive down from Gauteng, the last stretch is the same: the N2 north to the Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp, then a right turn towards the sea.
This guide gives the route from the airport, from Durban and from Gauteng, the toll plazas on the way, and what to sort out before you arrive.
Getting to Zinkwazi Beach: at a glance
| From Durban | About 85 km north on the N2 |
| From King Shaka International Airport | About 60 km north on the N2 |
| From Ballito | About 50 km north on the N2 |
| From Gauteng | A 5 to 6 hour drive on the N3 and the N2 |
| Off-ramp | Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall, after KwaDukuza when travelling north |
| Toll plazas | oThongathi and Mvoti on the N2; five more on the N3 from Gauteng |
| Driftwood Estates office | 1 Glen Drive, Zinkwazi Beach, 4480 |
All three routes end on the same road, so the airport section below is worth reading even if you are driving from further away.
From King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport is at La Mercy, about 60 km from Zinkwazi Beach. Leave the airport on the M65, also signed as Dube Boulevard, which joins the N2 at Exit 195. Take the N2 north towards KwaDukuza.
| Stage | Road | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport to the freeway | M65 (Dube Boulevard) | Join the N2 north at Exit 195 |
| First toll | N2 north | The oThongathi toll plaza, about 7 km after you join the N2 |
| Past Ballito | N2 north | Stay on the N2; the Mvoti toll plaza follows |
| Past KwaDukuza | N2 north | KwaDukuza, formerly Stanger, is the last large town before the off-ramp |
| Leaving the N2 | Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp | At the stop sign, turn right towards Zinkwazi |
From the stop sign, follow the road to the village. Arrange a hire car or a transfer before you land, because you will want your own transport once you are in Zinkwazi.
From Durban
Zinkwazi Beach is about 85 km north of Durban. Take the N2 north and stay on it past Umhlanga, the airport, Ballito and KwaDukuza. The toll plazas and the off-ramp are the same as on the airport route: oThongathi, then Mvoti, then the Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp and a right turn at the stop sign.
From Gauteng
Zinkwazi Beach is a 5 to 6 hour drive from Gauteng. Take the N3 south from Johannesburg. It passes Heidelberg, Villiers, Warden and Harrismith, goes down Van Reenen’s Pass towards Ladysmith, and continues past Estcourt, Mooi River, Howick and Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
At the EB Cloete Interchange in Westville, where the N3 meets the N2, take the N2 north. From there the route is the same as from Durban: past Umhlanga, the airport, Ballito and KwaDukuza to the Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp.
The N3 has five toll plazas between Gauteng and Durban: De Hoek near Heidelberg, Wilge near Villiers, Tugela near Ladysmith, Mooi River, and Mariannhill near Pinetown. With the two on the N2, that makes seven on the way to Zinkwazi.
Toll tariffs change every year. Check the N3 Toll Concession tariffs before you leave.
- Set off early to avoid peak traffic on the N3.
- Plan a rest stop around Harrismith or Pietermaritzburg.
- Book early for the school holidays. December, Easter and the mid-year break are the busiest periods; our booking guide has the dates.
Before You Arrive
- Shop on the way. KwaDukuza has shopping centres, and Zinkwazi Cafe in the village is a store and restaurant.
- Arrange an early arrival in advance. Early arrivals and late departures depend on the owner of the home.
- Settle the booking first. Access to the home is given once the booking is paid in full.
- Towing a boat or trailer? Each listing says whether there is space for a boat or trailer and how steep the driveway is. Launches are arranged through the Ski-Boat Club; see our lagoon guide.
- Know what is in the home. Our guide to how self-catering works in Zinkwazi lists what is provided and what to bring.
Zinkwazi Beach · Holiday homes
Know your dates?
Tell us when you are travelling and how many of you there are, and we will tell you what is open. You can also contact Driftwood Estates directly.
Once You Are in the Village
Main Beach
Main Beach is lifeguarded in season. Listings say how each home reaches the beach, from direct access to the beach car park.
The lagoon
The lagoon is about seven kilometres long, with calm water for paddling, boating and bank fishing.
Golf nearby
Darnall and Prince’s Grant are the nearest golf courses, and every listing names them under In the Area.
For the rest, see our guide to things to do in Zinkwazi Beach and the Zinkwazi Beach travel guide.
Plan Your Trip with Driftwood Estates
For over two decades, Driftwood Estates has placed families in self-catering homes across Zinkwazi Beach. Browse our full range of Zinkwazi Beach accommodation, or go straight to the sleeper size you need.
Explore available accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Zinkwazi Beach from King Shaka International Airport?
About 60 km. Leave the airport on the M65, join the N2 north at Exit 195 and stay on it past Ballito and KwaDukuza to the Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp.
How far is Zinkwazi Beach from Durban?
About 85 km north of Durban on the N2.
How long is the drive from Gauteng to Zinkwazi Beach?
It is a 5 to 6 hour drive from Gauteng. Take the N3 south to Durban, then the N2 north to the Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp.
Which off-ramp do I take for Zinkwazi Beach?
The Zinkwazi Beach / Darnall off-ramp on the N2, after KwaDukuza when you are travelling north. At the stop sign, turn right towards Zinkwazi.
Are there toll roads on the way to Zinkwazi Beach?
Yes. The N2 north of Durban has the oThongathi and Mvoti toll plazas, and the N3 from Gauteng has five: De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, Mooi River and Mariannhill.
How far is Zinkwazi Beach from Ballito?
About 50 km north of Ballito on the N2.