Prior to 1 December 2023, vehicle registration plates in Ballito started with NT - N for Natal, T for Lower Tugela, a river that lies about 45 kilometres to the north.

The town was established in 1954 as a private township, by the Glen Anil Development Corporation/Investments which was headed up by Dr Edward (Eddie) Rubenstein (1903–1972).

[citation needed] The area was originally portion of a sugar cane farm at Compensation Beach owned by Basil Townsend.

The Sunday Tribune printed in 1954 an advert for Ballito Bay inviting potential investors to the North Coast with prices of land from R790.00 (395 SA Pounds).

Jack's wife Gaye Nash née Fripp, the young ballet dancer holding the "little ball" or ballito above her head in the full page press release to publicise the then new township in the Sunday Tribune of 23 November 1954, still lives in Howick.

[2] Located at the entrance to the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Ballito is roughly bordered by Shaka’s Rock to the north and Zimbali to the south.

The region of Ballito is sub-divided into various suburbs, namely; Ballito proper, Shaka’s Head, Umhlali Golf and Country Estate, Port Zimbali and Zimbali Estate[3] and it incorporates the neighbouring coastal villages of Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Umhlali, Sheffield Beach and Tinley Manor Beach.

Ballito has a strong tourism economy, home to a number of family adventure attractions such as the crocodile farm and microlight flights and tours.

The development of the King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort to the south have also contributed significantly to the growth of Ballito.