Durban beaches – swimming, surfing & watersports
Posted on 31. Mar, 2010 by admin in Durban
Durban and the region of KwaZulu Natal are home to no less than 600kms of beaches alongside the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. All the beaches in Durban offer something different, whether it be wild waves for water sports or calm waters for families. What makes Durban beaches all the more attractive, however, is the fact that they are graced by subtropical weather all year-round.
Snorkelling in Durban is also popular and the warm waters are teaming with coral reefs and tropical fish. What’s more, many of the beaches here have been awarded Blue Flag status, which means the water is clean and sparkling and the environment is safe. Most Durban beaches are also patrolled by professional lifeguards and have toilet and shower facilities.
Golden Mile Durban beaches
Known locally simply as ‘the mile’, Durban’s Golden Mile stretches from South Beach in the south to the Suncoast Casino in the north, with vast lengths of golden sand in between. The warm Indian Ocean is separated with artificial piers and a promenade runs along the beachfront. The surf is good here and there are shark nets and life guards on hand for peace of mind. The beaches here include Battery Beach, Bay of Plenty, Wedge, Diary, South Beach and Addington.
South Beach:
Right in the heart of the City’s ‘Golden Mile’, South Beach is one of the most popular swimming spots in Durban.
Due to its positioning, South Beach is also protected from the city’s westerly winds, but the waves here are still wild enough for the odd international surfing competition. South Beach in Durban is, however, still a good family beach with plenty of nice restaurants and bars.
Addington Beach:
Durban’s Addington Beach is perfect for families with its broad, sandy shore and warm calm waters. The beach is sheltered and therefore only has small waves, so a number of surf shops have set up to teach people the basics. There are also shark nets here and professional lifeguards.
Bay of Plenty:
Along with North Beach and South Beach, the Bay of Plenty hosts a good handful of surf and volleyball competitions throughout the year. The pier is also a popular spot with anglers although the shark nets generally stops them catching anything too big! The Bay of Plenty is Durban is also home to people just looking to top up their tans.
North Beach:
One of the most frequented Golden Mile beaches, North Beach, Durban, is home to the Vodacom Beach Festival as well as a variety of other attractions. The sea is perfect for all kinds of water sports, including surfing, body-boarding and waterskiing. The wide beach is also perfect for catching some rays and skateboarders take up the promenade.
South Coast beaches in Durban
Beaches on Durban’s South Coast are popular with surfers and sunbathers. The waves are fierce and the water is warm and there will always be a spot of golden sand with your name on it. South Coast Durban beaches include Banana Beach, Beach Terminus, Clansthal, Big Tree Beach, Green Point, Margate Beach, Glenmore Beach and Beach Terminus.
Margate Beach:
With its lively waves and large cove area, Margate Beach is popular with surfers, bodyboarders and swimmers. Fisherman and women are also partial to spending many hours a day on the pier with a rod in their hands and there are a number of good bars, restaurants and shops here. Margate Beach in Durban offers one of the city’s best sundower views.
Ramsgate Beach:
Just south of Margate is the quite Ramsgate Beach. It is backed by a nice village and great picnic facilities. Margate Beach in Durban also boasts a walking trail that stretches to Southbroom Beach and is home to some picturesque views at dusk. The waves are fairly gentle here most of the time so it is popular with swimmers and families.
Marina Beach:
If you are visiting the Mpenjati River and lagoon, it’s worth spending an hour or two on Marina Beach. The white sand cove sits between San Lameer and Southbroom and comes in the form of a tidal pool. It is best to visit Durban’s Marina Beach at high tide.
Brighton Beach:
This area is known locally as ‘the friendly suburb. Brighton Beach is located on The Bluff in south Durban between the city centre and Durban International Airport. The most famous spot here is Cave Rock which is packed with surfers all year-round. There are also rock pools here, whales in the winters and dolphins throughout the year. Fishing and diving are also popular here and the odd monkey may even try to steal your picnic on the beach.
North Coast Durban beaches
Durban’s North Coast is great for scuba diving with its fabulous coral reefs. The waves are normally good enough for surfing as well, but simply basking on the beach is probably the most popular pastime here. The North Coast Durban beaches include Clark Bay, Shaka’s Rock, Ballito Beach, Blythedale Beach, Sheffield Beach, Salt Rock, Tinley Manor Beach, Willard Beach and Thompson’s Bay Beach.
Willard Beach:
Known as the ‘Pearl of Durban’s North Coast’, Willard Beach is a popular place for swimmers with its gradually deepening waters. The boardwalk at Willard Beach in Durban also offers great views of Ballito’s other beaches and coves.
Shaka’s Rock:
Also known as Catfish Beach, Shaka’s Rock is one of the most popular beaches in Ballito. It has waves, but not enough for any serious surfer, so bodyboarding and jet skiing is more popular here. You get get to Shaka’s Rock in Durban by climbing through the whole in the cliff from Willard’s Beach.
Salt Rock:
The village of Salt Rock is home to a few nice beaches and an interesting history. It’s a great place for families and there are plenty of children’s attractions. There are also viewing points at Salt Rock from which to watch the dolphins from.
Ballito Beach:
If you’re hungry, head to Ballito Beach in Durban. The oysters, crayfish and mussels are there for the taking at low tide, although you are supposed to have a license from the Parks Board Office, so be sly! Ballito Beach is also a good place for dolphin and whale spotting.
The Elephant Coast Beaches in Durban
A long line of beaches sit along the Elephant Coast in Durban, including Kosi Bay, Black Rock, Hulley Point, First Rocks, Jesser Point, Rocktail Bay, Leven Point, Sodwana Bay, Mission Rocks and Liefeld’s Rock. Cape Vidal is also a popular fishing spot. The Elephant coast is located a few hours’ drive from Durban city centre but is worth the trip.
St Lucia:
St Lucia Estuary and Wetlands Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with rock pools and long, white sand beaches. It is also the best place for humpback whale watching in October.
Sodwana Bay:
With the St Lucia Wetlands Park is Sodwana Bay, one of the premier dive spots in South Africa. There is an abundance of hard and soft coral and plenty of tropical fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins and whales in the winter.
Kosi Bay:
With a network a beautiful lakes and a beach nice enough for loggerhead turtles to lay eggs on, Kosi Bay, Durban, is a very attractive spot. Part of the protected Kost Bay Nature Reserve, the area is also home a many species of birds, as well as crocodiles and hippos.
Zululand Beaches in Durban
The beaches in Zululand are renowned for water sports with their rowdy waves and pristine sands. Surfing in Durban is particularly popular, but kietsurfing is also becoming more and more popular. You can rent equipment here are take lessons. The most popular beaches here are Two Mile Beach, Five Mile Beach, Durnford Point, Alkantrand, Mtunzini Beach, Newark, Alkantrand and Mbonambi Beach.
