Beaches Home Page

Surf, sun and sand – that is Durban – with more than 100 km of coastline, the city offers beaches for everybody’s taste.

With 320 sunshine days a year, sea water temperatures along the coast compare favourably with those of the Mediterranean in summer (75°F) (24°C), but in winter they seldom fall below 66°F (19°C) - 10° warmer than the Mediterranean in the same season.

During holiday seasons visitors flock to the beaches, which are, all protected by shark nets and served by lifeguards. Most beaches from south to north also have changing and ablution facilities. During peak holiday seasons lifeguard hours are extended and cleaning crews work overtime to keep the beaches and premises in pristine order.

You can rent chairs, loungers and umbrellas at most beaches for a reasonable amount and vendors selling refreshments roam most beaches.

No fishing is allowed in the bathing areas, but there are always fishermen on the piers. Further up and down the coast are great angling spots. Go down to the Point and out on the pier for great fishing as you watch the big container ships pass. Contact one of the local angling clubs for more information.

When you are down at the beachfront, you have to visit the craft people who sell curios, crafts and beautiful woodcarvings and beadwork. You can even watch the women do the beadwork while they sit in groups under thatched shelters on the pavements. And of course you have to ride in a rickshaw. This is a two-seater vehicle, decorated with rainbow colours and pulled by a man in a beaded and painted costume wearing a headdress with massive horns.

As you walk along the beach early in the morning, you may see a group of white robed worshippers practicing their traditional devotions. Some Christians believe that in order to be cleansed you have to be baptised in the sea. Some of the traditional healers also collect the seawater and other people use it to purge themselves.

Because the eThekwini municipality is very safety conscious and has a zero tolerance approach to crime there is a satellite police station on beachfront. Police on foot, bicycle and on horseback will maintain a visible presence to ensure safety and security. There is always an increased security presence over the busy, tourist season.

But visitors and tourists are warned not to wear jewelry to the beach or to take expensive cameras or electronic equipment with them. Like at all beaches, beware of pickpockets.

It's 'all happening' at Dairy, Wedge and North beaches, where locals and tourists enjoy the great surf and wide range of watersports activities and surfing events. The Bay of Plenty and Snake Park Beach have earned a place in surfing history, with some of the best waves on the coast.

In addition to being a popular surfing spot, Battery Beach is a sunbather's paradise, while further north Oasis Beach offers rolling sand dunes and deserted stretches. Less crowded than the central beaches, Tekweni is a lovely family picnic spot, with grassed areas, paddling pools and slides for children. The Blue Lagoon is a popular destination for fishermen, and sports enthusiasts flock to Laguna Beach to enjoy jetskiing, jogging, walking and kiteflying.