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TThey don’t call Durban “South Africa’s Playground” for nothing. It is South Africa’s very own seaside paradise, famous for its beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. So dig your toes in the sand, take a dip in the sea and enjoy your time in South Africa’s third biggest city.
Durban’s beaches lie along a stretch of golden sand, known locally as the Golden Mile. From Blue Lagoon's fishing spot to the sunken Vetch's Pier, a host of flat, sandy beaches invite you to set down an umbrella and towel, and while away hours in the sun.
Blessed with warm water, robust waves and seemingly endless stretches of sandy beaches, you'll soon understand why Durban (eThekwini) is everyone's favourite seaside playground. Warm and sunny most of the year year, Durban's beaches offer public amenities, protective shark nets, beacons to indicate safe bathing and lifeguards on duty for most of the day.
Did You Know?
WWhen South Africa joined the Blue Flag beach campaign in 2001, it was the first country outside Europe to do so.
SSunshine, sand, rock pools and warm water typify the idyllic beach conditions at Umdloti; while Addington Beach, close to the harbour entrance at the southern end of Durban Bay, is more protected, which means smaller waves that lend itself to learning how to surf. Durban’s South Beach is a popular surf spot and is known as a safe place for beginner surfers. North Beach delivers stunning sunrises all-year round and is blissfully warm. Then there is Dairy Beach on Durban’s Golden Mile, which is a renowned surfing spot.
Durban's Golden Mile
AAbout 15 minutes' north of Durban, Umhlanga Rocks beach is lined with luxury hotels and apartments. This is a fun spot with a permanent holiday vibe. Umhlanga's village is full of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, pubs and clubs. If you’re after a quieter spot, Umhlanga's Bronze Beach is more secluded, while Umdloti, Salt Rock and Zinkwazi, further north, are more family friendly.
Down the South Coast you'll find a selection of pristine Blue Flag beaches including Hibberdene, Margate, Marina, Umzumbe, Ramsgate, Lucien and Trafalgar.
FFor some of the most pristine stretches of sand in the world, places like Kosi Bay, Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay (part of the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park World Heritage Site) offer unspoilt beaches and plentiful fauna and flora. Sodwana has the added bonus of being the prime diving spot in South Africa, sometimes referred to as “South Africa's Barrier Reef”.
Durban boasts 600km of subtropical beaches on its coastline and what makes this fantastic coastline even better is that the area has fantastic weather all-year round – even in winter. The people are friendly and there is no greater place to enjoy a vibrant beach holiday anywhere else in the world.
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