Holiday in Durban and the surrounds of KwaZulu Natal. With its year round warm weather, Durban’s beaches are always a holiday attraction.
Durban is in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa. It is a unique cultural mix of colonial European, Indian, and Zulu communities. There are close to 300 days of sunshine a year. And even when the sun is not shining, it is still warm enough to swim.
The North Coast of Durban is famous for the bottlenose dolphins. Between May and September, whales can also be spotted on their annual migration. There are various boat expeditions where one can go out to sea and view these amazing creatures in their natural environment. The North Coast is a perfect holiday combination of golden beaches for safe bathing, surfing, fishing or simply soaking up the sun. In addition to this, it is rich in history and culture for exploration and authentic Zulu experiences.
Durban is home to the uShaka Marine World, which is the fifth largest aquarium in the world. This marine world encompasses an indoor and underground aquarium, Wet ‘n Wild World entertainment park, and lots of restaurants. The main restaurant is a recreation of a 1940s cargo ship.
Durban is the busiest port in Africa and is the gateway to the many attractions of KwaZulu Natal. These include the scenic Midlands Meander, Drakensberg, famous Battlefields, the game parks of Zululand, including Hluhluwe, and the greater St Lucia Wetland Park.
Holiday to Durban – beaches
A holiday to Durban’s beaches
Durban has many beaches. Surfing, fishing, and sailing are very popular. With its warm temperatures, most of the year, and easy access, a holiday in Durban is well worth it.
Umhlanga Rocks
Umhlanga Rocks is the largest of the North Coast’s coastal resorts. The beach offers superb swimming and surfing within walking distance of the Umhlanga village center. Stunning reefs off the Umhlanga coast make for excellent diving and snorkeling. Deep sea fishing, scuba diving, dolphin, and whale viewing, plus other day trips are also available. The promenade stretches 2.7 kilometers along the beachfront and is accessible from virtually every beachfront hotel. The Umhlanga Lighthouse is a well known landmark and was built in 1954.
Holiday to Durban – Umhlanga lighthouse and beach
Umhloti
Umhloti is a seaside village that is just north of Umhlanga. Beautiful golden beaches, safe swimming, and excellent fishing. Set against a backdrop of sugar cane covered hills and lush sub-tropical countryside.
Ballito
Ballito is known as the ‘Pearl’ of the Dolphin Coast and is well known for its safe beaches. Micro-lighting is also available here.
Zimbali
Zimbali is a few minutes south of Ballito; and is set in a pristine coastal forest, with a rugged, unspoiled coastline providing the perfect setting to get away from it all on holiday. It also boasts an 18-hole golf course, Zimbali Golf Course. And horse riding on the beach or in the forest.
Zimbali Golf Course
Shaka’s Rock
Shaka’s Rock is a small residential area with holiday accommodation available. Here you will find Thompson’s Bay and Charlie’s Pool, an olympic size tidal pool. Secluded beaches, rocky coves, and shallow paddling pools will provide endless hours of fun.
Salt Rock
Salt Rock is a little further north and its name originates from King Shaka’s days; when his handmaidens used to collect dried salt off the rocks at low tide. This beach provides good fishing spots and there are beautiful reefs offshore. Close to the main beach is a tidal pool.
Zinkwazi
Further north, lies the lagoon and beach nature conservancy of Zinkwazi. The lush paradise of indigenous forests, tropical palms, seven kilometers of a pristine lagoon, and endless beaches is indeed a nature lover’s wonderland. There is a wide variety of birdlife that is spectacular, with many rare species to be seen. Zinkwazi means the place of fish eagles in Zulu and their hunting cry is still part of the magic.
A holiday in Durban is always great.
Diving in Kwa-Zulu Natal
There are a number of dive sites in KwaZulu Natal. Aliwal Shoal and Sodwana are probably the most famous.
Aliwal Shoal
This is recognized as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Umkomaas, which is situated approximately 45 km south of Durban, provides the launch site for Aliwal Shoal.
Approximately 5 km in length, Aliwal Shoal provides a haven to a vast array of fish species (over 1200 species) as well as turtles, and rays. It is frequently visited by dolphins, whales, and, most popular, sharks (in particular ragged-toothed sharks or Grey nurse sharks). These sharks migrate to the shoal in abundance from July to November. Occasional sightings of great whites, tiger sharks, and whale sharks occur here too.
Aliwal Shoal has many different dive sites and some of the most popular are:
Raggie Cave is named after the many ragged-tooth sharks that reside in this area. Depth is approximately 16m.
Cathedral is situated on the outside edge of the reef and is a spectacular hole in the reef forming a ‘room’. Depth varies from 18m – 27m.
Inside Edge consists of several ledges with caves, coves, and overhangs. It is a great area for viewing smaller fish. Depth is approximately 22m.
Northern Pinnacles is responsible for many of the shipping disasters that have occurred here and it forms the spine of rock formations with several caves, gullies, and ledges. The average depth is 10 – 15m.
There are 2 wrecks in this area, namely: SS Nebo & MV Produce. The MV Produce is the most popular and lies less than 1km to the northwest of Aliwal Shoal.
We’ve grouped Durban hotels into KwaZulu Natal Accommodation. There are many excellent places to stay in Durban so just let us know what you would like.
One of South Africa’s best Eco-tourism destinations at Kosi Forest Lodge, iSimangaliso World Heritage Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Birding and snorkeling at it’s best
Thanda Safari is a unique safari experience in the heart of Zululand; with a cultural and ecological element offering guests a luxury retreat at Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented Camp, and the exclusive-use Villa iZulu
Dramatically set into a cliff face, Phinda Rock Lodge’s six intimate and private accommodation suites provide breathtaking views of Phinda Private Game Reserve
