Shelly Beach, famous for its outstanding rock and surf fishing, is home to the largest ski boat base between Durban and East London. It also hosts numerous deep sea fishing competitions year-round. This well-known ski boat launch site is a popular choice for fishing, as well as dolphin and whale watching tours. Additionally, it serves as a gateway for divers heading to the world-renowned Protea Banks, a premier scuba diving reef destination.

The beach is protected by shark nets and is patrolled by lifeguards during school holidays. Shelly Beach is perhaps better known for its well appointed busy shopping centre, National Sea Rescue Institute base and for being the home of a very successful, well patronised ski boat club rather than a beach resort.
Shelly Beach is a caring, friendly town where every effort is made to provide visitors with a relaxing and memorable stay. Warmth and Hospitality epitomise/enhance the character of this lively coastal resort, which is one of the fastest developing commercial and residential towns on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.