Durban, the warm coastal destination on South Africa’s east coast, has everything a tourist needs. Tourism Update has hunted down some popular water experiences in and around the city for travellers to enjoy.
Umhlanga beachfront.
As Durban typically has warm, tropical weather for most of the year, Janine Bunsow, Market Manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria at Tourvest DMC, says clients can enjoy water experiences in and around the city all year round. Travellers visiting Durban enjoy the city’s beaches, with the Umhlanga beachfront and uShaka Marine World both being popular attractions in the area.
uShaka Marine World.
Esther Ruempol, Market Manager for Benelux at Tourvest DMC, says the Natal Sharks Board offers an exciting early-morning boat tour, where travellers can go with the Sharks Board operational staff to check the shark nets along Durban’s coastline and learn about sharks. “This tour is very educational and a great option for families,” she says.
Natal Sharks Board.
Credits: Zulumoon Gondolas.
A ride on a gondola on the Durban Point Waterfront Canal with Zulumoon Gondolas is a fun option, with both day and evening rides. Guests can choose from the Relaxing Day Ride between 10h30 and 17h45, or the Magical Night Ride at either 18h30, 19h00, or 19h30. Other rides from Zulumoon Gondolas include the Venetian Masked Ride, the Sweets In A Bottle Ride, the Message in a Bottle Ride, the Picnic Ride, and more.
Credits: Zulumoon Gondolas.
The WavePark Gateway in Umhlanga offers fun for both adults and children with Durban’s largest waterslides. The park is also home to the Flowrider wave simulators.
WavePark Gateway.
Durban also provides the ideal climate and conditions for kite surfing, a popular water-based activity in Ballito, a beachfront town just outside Durban.
Zimbali Coastal Resort on the KZN North Coast, near Ballito, offers visitors high-end accommodation, stretches of untouched beach, and pools. In addition, visitors can saddle-up and horse ride along the Zimbali coastline.
Tesna Simonsen George, Director of Luxury Representation Collection in the UK, suggests iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Africa’s first World Heritage Site, as it is an easy two-and-a-half hour drive from Durban. In addition, he says: “With a diverse eco-system, the park offers visitors a unique wildlife experience.”
Some of the activities on offer at iSimangaliso Wetland Park include estuary boat cruises, bird watching, game drives, turtle tours, guided walks, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, horse riding and more.
Christo Pienaar, Operations Manager at Tourvest Destination Management, suggests exploring the Northern Wetlands, and for a morning or afternoon outing, mentions the multicultural city that is shaped by a complex history. “Travel along Durban’s Golden Mile, Point Waterfront to City Hall, the eighth largest harbour in the world and the bustling African-Indian markets, as well as the Botanical Gardens.”
