4 of the Best Beach Spots in and around Durban (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa)
Durban, often dubbed as "the warmest place to be" is legendary for its beaches. With its 11.2 kilometre beach promenade, Durban's Golden Mile shows off several beach hotspots for local 'Durbanites' and domestic or international tourists alike.
It's the perfect place for a relaxed summer holiday. The atmosphere in Durban seems always laid-back and ready for the warm weather. This means an exodus of people going to the beaches to enjoy their summer vacations. There are many, many beaches that you could choose from and the warm water attracts thousands of people flocking to the east coast to catch some sun and sea. We've asked a native of Durban to tell us the best beach places-to-be to give you some insider insight. Here are 4 recommendations in and around Durban to visit:
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Ushaka Beach: this is a popular beach for locals and tourists as it is in front of the Ushaka Marine World. Ushaka itself is a fantastic place to enjoy family time because it includes both a water park with fun rides and an aquarium which has dolphins, seals, sharks, penguins and much more. There are many places to grab a bite to eat while you spend your time on the beach. The waves here are quite gentle on a breezy day and there are always dedicated lifesavers present. After your beach day, enjoy a cocktail at the end of a pier in the sea at Moyo. If you go to Durban, this is not to be missed!
- Umhlanga Main Beach: Umhlanga is just 20 minutes outside of Durban up the North Coast. Like the Golden Mile, there is also a long promenade to take a stroll along with ice cream stops along the way. Take a picnic lunch and sit near the lighthouse or simply hire a red umbrella and chairs for the day from the friendly vendors (the sand can get quite hot so this is recommended!). The beach is right next to the "most beautiful pier in the world". See it for yourself when you have a beach day at Umhlanga! (TIP: for delicious seafood close by, try Lord Prawn Fish & Grill)
- Wild Coast Sun: this is a popular resort where you can spend the day or even a few days away. It not only has a fantastic private beach but it also has a casino, arcade and horse riding facilities. In additiona, there are also restaurants, pool areas and even water slides! The resort is only a 2 hour drive away from Durban on the South Coast. This is a lush, green region, with lots to do and a lot of fun to be had. You can book accommodation of all sorts in and around the resort.
- Umdloti Beach: another prime spot on the North Coast, Umdloti, is a small coastal town that is great for some quality beach time. There is a natural rock pool by the beach, creating a safe swimming area. To the south, there is natural, sub-tropical bush and sugar cane fields. To the north, lies Umdloti River and estuary. Umdloti is famous for dolphins that swim up close to the beach in the early morning as well as whale watching when whales are often spotted from the beach between July and November (whale season).
All these beaches are family friendly and have a various activities for you to do. They are well-known among the locals and make for an excellent beach experience. You may even enjoy Durban so much, you come back for more next summer!
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Francine Simon
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