Umtentweni is situated at the mouth of the Mtentweni River,and the small town is named after a species of grass which grows on its banks. The town is spread out along a 4 kilometre long stretch of beach, featuring a children's playground and tearoom in a natural setting of shady trees. The village has a paddling pool which is safe for children. The area boasts some good scuba diving, especially out at the Aliwal Shoal a few kilometres out to sea.

Umtentweni is a popular resort and offers tennis, bowling and some excellent surfing. Fishing and boating is popular on the lagoon. Umtentweni comes alive with excitement when the annual Sardine Run takes place. When the sardines migrate northwards from the Eastern Cape, they bring with them a variety of larger game fish which pursue them.

Twenty kilometers inland from Umtentweni is the Oribi Gorge, a 400 metre deep gorge that is the largest and most spectacular gorge in KwaZulu-Natal. This gorge is in an 1800-hectare nature reserve along the Umzimkulwana River. The Oribi Gorge - a place of echoes - was created over millions of years as the river carved its way over flat rock, finding faults in the stone and eroding enormously deep and narrow gorges.

Located on the western side of Oribi Gorge is the five thousand acre Lake Eland Nature Reserve, which is home to an abundance of wildlife, including giraffe, zebra, and of course eland. The reserve has 4x4 trails, horse riding, hiking, and variety of caves which visitors can explore. The reserve also has picnic sites with braai facilities, and a tea garden and curio shop.

Golfers will find the nearby Port Shepstone Country Club conveniently situated to fit in a few rounds. Port Shepstone's golf course has grown in popularity as one of the best courses along the South Coast. The course has recently undergone major changes which include new greens on the seventh and sixteenth holes, water being added to the twelfth and fifteenth hole, where an island has been developed with hopes of promoting the local birdlife. The Dundee Golf Course is conveniently located at the mouth of the Mzimkhulu River in Umtentweni.

The nearby Riverbend Crodile Farm is home to about 200 Nile crocodiles, and a number of bird species. An education centre at the farm teaches visitors about crocodile biology, and the life cycle of crocodiles and snakes. Visitors can also watch the live feeding sessions, which prove to be rather exciting. The farm's well known Crocpot Restaurant is fully licensed and serves breakfasts all day. It is renowned for it's cream teas and is said to boast the best waffles and lemon meringue on the coast.