Introduction

This unique ?Getaway? facility, surf Camp and International Backpackers ?The Secret Spot Surf Camp? situated in Shakas Rock, KwaZulu Natal South Africa , in and around Ballito on The Dolphin Coast. The area is affectionately referred to as ?Natures Playground, as a result of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean , great waves and home to the bottlenose dolphin, which frolic in our waters among the surfers and visitors of our surf Camp .

Situated in Zululand a mere 30 min. drive from Durban, as the name suggests it is also home to the Zulu people, so this is precisely where you will find Native Africa, unique culture, loads of history, wild life game reseves , tribal living and most of all warm friendly people.

The establishment sleeps 36 persons in Private Double units, twin units, and tented units with a girls and boys dormitory also available. Set in 10,000 sq meters of picturesque African bush situated above Shaka's Rock Beach . Interestingly it also has an informal conference facility with all the conferencing tools too.

Surfers normally refer to a Secret Spot, as their secret surf break, which they keep relatively private, reserved for close friends and acquaintances. International visitors normally miss-out on these ?spots?

This is where Mike and Rozz and all the staff fit in with a warm welcome to all our visitors, not restricted to only surfers and the youth.

Its a HOME from HOME where all groups mix and are made to feel comfortable and at home.

 

Your Hosts

Mike and Rozz have over the years hosted many people in there home, and it was a natural progression to start a facility in the form of a ?Backpacking? facility. It was also Mikes dream to do something in the Surfing fraternity and so the work and ideas began to develop a surf camp for traveling backpackers, the surfing fraternity. Local people and corporate business too in the future.

Choosing the right spot after selling there 20 Year home in Salt Rock was a very important decision and it was love at first sight when they found this old farmhouse on a hectare of African Bush above Shaka's Rock Beach . Rozz aptly named it ?The Secret Spot?, while Mike ?quickly? extended this to include ?Surf Camp?, not letting go his vision and dream.

Mike and Rozz have served in surfing administration for many years; Mike having served as a past Chairman of The Kwazulu Natal Surf Riders Association for a number of years

Organising staff and people, sharing their home was therfore no problem and a natural progression.

 

Mission Statement

To provide an ?abode? and a venue for the surfing fraternity, that is also extended to include a service to all groups of interested people wishing to experience surfing, surf culture and Africa.

In an environment that ensures :

1.) A warm friendly atmosphere.

2.) A facility that is clean and healthy, organized and efficient, and that offers the best .....experience and knowledge in areas of the sport and the hospitality industry.

3.) A Structured and safe environment for participation at all levels and in all programs that it .....implements.

4.) A Quality of service that ads value to the sport, all the sponsors of the sport, all the .....participants and to all the visitors to Africa and the establishment.

 

FAQ's - (Frequently Asked Questions)

 

•  What is ?The Secret Spot??

The Secret Spot is a Backpackers and a Surf camp that run in parallel with each other, we pride ourselves on an excellent well kept and maintained facility together with a wonderful compliment of staff. The Secret Spot is owner run by Rozz and Mike Smith and is a laid back facility and a home from home. It is set in a huge 10,000 sq mt of African bush/beach safari setting.

 

•  What is a ?Backpackers??

A Backpackers is an inexpensive accommodation facility that provides activities for both national and international visitors. The concept is a unique and popular way to meet people from many cultures and backgrounds, while it also helps foreigners to meet and mix with local people too.

 

•  What is a ?Surf Camp??

Primarily Surf Camps are found in coastal towns around the world that produce good consistent surfing waves, where surfers and people wanting to learn, enjoy or improve their surfing come for medium or short term stays. Surf Camps, if providing instruction, should have qualified instructors and also enjoy some sort of accreditation at the least with a national or international surfing administration.

 

Do I have to surf or be a surfer to stay at The Secret Spot?

No, you don't have to be a surfer, anyone is welcome. This is something that The Secret Spot ensures and prides itself with ?Hospitality?. EVERYONE IS WELCOME ??.and made to feel at home and part of our unique ?African Surf Safari Vibe?. We have had retired couples that have also loved our spot, and have been made to feel just as welcome as young travelers.

 

•  Where is Shaka's Rock?

Shaka's Rock is situated a 15 minute walk from Ballito on The Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, and is a popular coastal holiday destination 30 min. drive north of Durban .

 

•  How do I get there?

A map is available on our Contact Page ; it is a mere 30 minute drive North of Durban along the N3 highway. Our shuttle service page describes the different transport methods including our in-house pick ups and drop offs that we do from our facility or Durban and the Durban International airport and bus station.

 

•  Are you a Baz Bus Stop?

Yes we are. The bus drops off and picks up from our facility at The Secret Spot.

 

•  How can we get around with no car?

We have a shuttle in the form of an African game viewing land rover that does daily trips to shops, cinema and the beaches at a small charge. We also have a Kombi transporter to shuttle you from place to place at affordable costs.

 

•  Do you take groups?

Yes we have set up the facility to do just that, we also have a small informal conference facility for learn to surf courses, facilitating many types of courses for advanced surfing, orientation courses for international visitors who arrive in South Africa and want to learn and understand the ?system? (Security, logistics, costs, where to go, what to see etc.etc.) and other activities.

 

•  What accommodation do you offer and how much does it cost?

Accommodation options include Cabins (Doubles & Twins) @ R132.50pp, Spacious Safari Tents (Doubles & Twins) @ R120pp and Dorms @ R100pp

 

•  What facilities do you have at The Secret Spot?

The Secret Spot is situated in a beautiful 10,000 sq mt of African bush/beach safari setting with several areas. This includes the swimming pool with cocktail bar, TV lounge with DSTV, pool table and darts, Braai area with pizza oven, fully kitted kitchen, surf board shaping bay & informal conference facility with beach sand floor.

 

•  What about catering?

We have a self-catering kitchen and a resident in-house chef who does daily meals that may be ordered by you the guests or the groups. Our Kitchen is fully kitted and has lots of space and equipment, as is a large Pizza oven and braai (barbeque) area.

 

•  What activities can we do at The Secret Spot?

Our Activities page lists a host of things to do, which include surfing safari's, learning to surf, Game drives , cultural visits and in house activities at the facility. We also have a range of items that you may Hire on a daily basis like fishing rods, surfboards etc.

 

•  How much is a ? learn to surf' lesson?

Our Lessons are R240.00 per hour and we supply all the necessary equipment and we have qualified and accredited instructors. The first lesson is normally 2 hours

 

•  Can I repair my surfboard hire one or by a new board from The Secret Spot?

Yes we have a shaping and glassing bay at the establishment, you can have your surfboard repaired, and you can hire a surfboard too. We have a facility to shape a new board in 4-5 days under our capable guidance too under our popular label D.I.Y Surfboards or you could by one from us.

 

•  Are there wildlife game reserves nearby?

Yes we have Hluhluwe approx. 2 hours from The Secret Spot and we do both daily trips and overnight tours for you to the game reserve. We are able to book you tours done by qualified tour guides in most of the National parks in South Africa .

 

•  What about African culture since you are in Zululand ?

The Secret Spot embraces the Zulus and African cultures; our staff is mostly Zulu and speak English excellently. We also do trips into the Zulu homelands for guests from time to time, meat and mix with the people in the homelands. Again some? less touristy? cultural experiences can be done from our facility which provides for a better and more accurate experience of tribal living and meeting Zulu people.

 

•  What additional services do you offer at The Secret Spot?

Standard services we offer include the hire of clean towels, snorkel equipment, fishing rods, spear guns and surf boards. Laundry can be done locally through our shuttle service. Please ask us for any specific requests.

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