Umdloti is a small town situated at the mouth of the Mdloti River, just 25km (16 miles) from Durban. Umdloti is nestled between Umhlanga and Ballito and is a coastal conservancy, surrounded by fields of sugar cane and indigenous forests. The town's name is derived from the Zulu word, Mdloti, which is a species of wild tobacco growing on the banks of the river which shares the same name.

There are three beautiful beaches in Umdloti, namely Newsel Beach, Selection Beach, and Umdloti Beach. Umdloti Beach features a large and totally natural tidal pool with lifeguards stationed there daily. Swimming is safe for your smaller children, and a variety of ocean life can be seen in the rock pools at low tide. Other activities at Umdloti beach include surf and rock fishing; though licenses are required due to the area's conservancy status, snorkelling, surfing, diving and kiteboarding.

Other attractions in Umdloti include microlight flights, horse riding, bird watching, parasailing, guided quad trails and visits to the Natal Sharks Board. It is estimated that there are about 800 resident dolphins which frequent the area, a number that increases to over 15,000 during the annual sardine run, which occurs during July and August. Humpback and Southern Right whales are plentiful during the calving season from July to November.

Also flourishing there are innumerable bird species which include the likes of Crowned guinea fowl, yellow-billed kites, fish eagles, storks, herons, blue cranes and luries as well as small game, making the area an ideal location for bird watching. Umdloti is also home to a wide variety of interesting restaurants ranging from Italian to Portugese to Indian cuisine. Highly popular with visitors, Umdloti Beach offers an abundance of accommodation ranging from several B&B guesthouses to dozens of self-catering chalets, cottages, houses and apartments. Another big attraction of Umdloti Beach is Sibaya Casino with its superb theatre, restaurants and shops.