Amanzimtoti is renowned for its warm weather and its beaches. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers, and the annual sardine run attracts many to the beaches. Many South Africans flock here during the summer to get away from it all. Its location on the N2 national highway, approximately 11 km from Durban International Airport makes it a convenient destination. It has several malls, arcades and a water park.

There are well established sports facilities in Amanzimtoti, situated at Hutchison park. Included is a tennis-, squash-, cricket-, rugby-, soccer-, cycling- and bowls club.

Amanzimtoti has some patches of forest and wetlands where a wide variety of indigenous species still exist. Many of these are rare or endangered and housing developments continue to pose a threat.

Most of the wildlife can be found along the Amanzimtoti River or in the coastal dune vegetation. A Nature Reserve was proclaimed along the banks of the river called Ilanda Wilds. This small area of land contains various habitat types, ranging from steep rocky slopes to various riverine habitats, forest and small patches of grassland. There is also a 'bird park' called Umdoni Bird Sanctuary along one of the tributaries of the Amanzimtoti River which is home mostly to water birds (both domestic and indigenous).