Durban's beachfront is known locally as the Golden Mile but is actually more than four miles from the Bluff in the South to the mouth of the Umgeni River in the north.
Along this stretch is all the beachgoer could wish for - water activities, elegant dining, gardens and curios. Thursday night is Family Fiesta night with live children's entertainment.
The beaches are protected by shark nets. vEnjoy the beaches with the Ricksha bus. You pay your fare and can get on and get off as many times as you like between the Point Waterfront (South) and the Blue Lagoon (north) (0838093530 09.00 -17.00 daily). There are 12 stops and the frequency is every half hour.
Once, there were hundreds of pullers in Durban.Rickshas were introduced from Japan by Sir Marshall Campbell (of the Killie Campbell library) from the Far East as transport for his wife.
They soon became very popular with more than 2000 of them but the advent of the motor car spelt their doom. However, there are still a number of these carriages on the beachfront, pulled by Zulus in their flamboyant headdresses.
Travel up the Beachfront in style and take a Ricksha.
Marine Parade 332 5671
Durban's beaches and adjacent features from South to north. Click on the to the right to see the exact location of the beaches. Addington Beach/Vetch's Pier
These two beaches are adjacent to the Point and North Pier. Safe swimming, lifeguards and restaurants. Vetch's Pier is an old quay that is exposed at low tide.
The Southern end of the beach is where most of the watersports enthusiasts launch their small yachts, windsurfers, hobies and jetskis. Take a walk on to the adjacent North Pier for a good view of the beachfront at night.
Not quite yet, but soon there will be a range of upmarket attractions on the Point to rival those of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
Apart from the restoration of the multitude of quaint Victorian cottages and once bustling warehouses that were the heart of life in Durban for many years, there are many other plans.
An underwater museum, a 20 story statue of King Shaka, an entertainment dome and a huge variety of shopping experiences, coffee shops and restaurants.
For now, just sit and relax at one of the restaurants and pubs and watch the ships move slowly in and out of the port - at very close quarters!
The Little Top entertainment (in season), trampolines, playground, lawns, change rooms,paddling pools, refreshments, curios, coach tours, tourist info, fishing pier, shops.
This beachfront complex is rated as one of the best marine exhibition areas in the Southern hemisphere. There are huge turtles, stingrays, octopuses, corals and a myriad of dazzling fish. The sharks are fed by Scuba divers on Tues. Thurs. and Sun. at 12.30. Young people will love the Discovery Room. vNext door are exciting dolphin, seal and penguin shows and the Sea World Education Centre and the Oceanographic Research Institute.
The proceeds from admission are used to fund the ORI which is involved in a number of marine research activities including breeding programmes. There is also an educational programme that offers field trips and workshops.
Every Saturday, there are Little Members workshops.
Show times: 10.00, 11.30, 14.00, 15.30 and 16.00.
Fish Feeding: 11.00 and 15.30
Shark Feeding: 21.30 Tues., Thurs. and Sat.
2 West St. 337 3536
Body boarding, paddling pools, the Rachel Finlayson salt water swimming pool, refreshments, change rooms, shops, pigeons to feed, curios, surfing museum, fishing pier, ricksha rides, pedal rides.
Durban's only amusement park, packed with rides for the whole family - and the cable cars are the best way to see Durban's beachfront! There are dodgems, vintage car rides, Carousel, Swingboat, Tilterworld and others.
Marine Parade 09.00 - 17.00 daily 332 9776 Time Warp Surfing Museum
A comprehensive display of surfboards and memorabilia.
Ocean Sports Centre, Lower Marine Parade 082 452 1637
Tues - Sun 10.00 - 16.00
Durban is great surfing country and this beach is home to the world famous Gunston 500 surfing contest in July where you can see all the world's top surfers in action - and thousands of spectators, shops, stalls and food outlets. This beach also hosts the only night surfing contest in the world. There is also bodyboarding and swimming, lawns, sunken gardens, and the Amphimarket Flea Market on Sundays.
Parking, refreshments, ricksha rides, surfing.
Fitzsimmons Snake Park
Coil up with several hundred snakes and watch dangerous cobras being handled by expert keepers at this reptile centre. There are more than 160 different types of snake as well as leguaans (water monitor lizards), turtles and terrapins.
The centre acts as a rehabilitation centre for reptiles and there is also a curio shop. Snakes are fed on Saturdays and Sundays after each demonstration (10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 14.30 and 15.00)
Snake Park Beach, Lower Marine Parade. 337 6456
This Lillipution world is located at the northern end of the beachfront and displays a number of Durban's landmarks at 1:25 scale. There is the City Hall, the airport, the harbour and one or two items from elsewhere in the country, all meticulously crafted.
In the evenings, there is an illuminated funfair. Minitown is a charitable organization.
Marine Parade 337 7892
Swimming and life guards. Behind the beach next to the road there are paddling pools and slides. This beach is closest to the Village Green venue.
Lazy tube rides for kids or white knuckle, kamikaze ski jumps? You take your pick at Waterworld. One price covers a day full of entertainment.
Battery Beach Road 337 6336
09.00 - 17.00 daily
Bring the kids and spend a funfilled morning. They can milk a cow, bottlefeed a lamb (with the cow's milk), ride ponies and travel on a tractor.
Battery Beach Road, Battery Beach 332 1674
Swimming and life guards.
Swimming and life guards. Country Club Beach
This beach is adjacent to the mouth of the Umgeni River and is a popular angling spot. There are plenty of braai sites and a selection of eateries. vUnder the freeway bridge alongside the river there is the Coconut Grove Road House, more braai sites and a pleasant walk along the South bank of the Umgeni River.
This area is popular with the Indian community on Saturday nights where they come to show off their cars and their hifi systems! The model boating pond, canoe club, bowling greens, mashie course, golf and netball are also located here.
Under the other freeway bridge, one will find the 19th hole puttputt course (3031633).
A favourite haunt of experienced surfers, Anstey's also boasts green lawns, a paddling pool and shops.
There are plenty of rock pools on this beach to occupy young and old. There is also a tidal pool.
Durban is on the Whale Watch Route. Spend a couple of hours watching great humpback whales breaching and tail sailing off the Main Durban beaches.
The humpback is the greatest showoff amongst whales and also has the longest song. If you're lucky, you'll also come across the local bottle nosed dolphins. The tours are organized by the Natal Sharks Board.
The Natal Sharks Board 566 1001
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