Durban, Kwazulu Natal
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Positives
- Consistent Quality beachbreaks
- Urban entertainment
- Cheap
Negatives
- Lots of onshore days
- Crowds
- Street violence
- Sharks at un-netted beaches
Durban, Kwazulu Natal surf travel guide
Despite better waves elsewhere in South Africa, Durban has become the country’s surf centre because of a high population density of surfers and a great year-round climate. South swells wrap around the Bluff Peninsula and focus on the long piers and groynes that trap the sand in perfect triangles. On the Bluff, powerful, hollow beachbreaks, plus the world-class tubes of Cave Rock are always bigger in S swells and cleaner in NE winds.
Surf spots in Durban, Kwazulu Natal
Research the 11 surf breaks in Durban, Kwazulu Natal and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 11 breaks in Durban, Kwazulu Natal.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Durban, Kwazulu Natal
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Durban, Kwazulu Natal.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 10,472,000
- Population
- 59,308,690
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- ZAR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 7.24 ZAR ZAR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +27
- Dialing out
- 09
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venḓa, Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans and English are all official languages. Plus there are many other non official languages.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- dmn
Visas
Currently nearly every country in the world can go to South Africa without needing a visa but always check the latest news to be sure
Getting There
Johannesburg (JNB) gets direct flights from Sao Paulo, Miami, New York, London (overnight), Frankfurt, Dubai, Singapore and Perth. Fly then Durban (DUR) which cost $100 r/t. South African Airways, South African Express and Airlink fly between all the major cities. Kulula.com, 1time and Mango offer cut-price flights.
Getting Around
Traffic keeps to the left. Durban Local transport is reliable and the road network is excellent. Rental cars are cheap and ensure you’ll get more waves. Expect to pay $150/w - fuel is cheap (50c/l). Kwazulu Natal Rent a car at Southafricar and pay $225/wk. Durban Airport is 20min from Amanzimtoti and 170km (106mi) to Port Edward. Driving along the N2 freeway/toll road up to Ramsgate then use R102 aka Marine Drive to Port Edward. High season is late-March/April and Dec-Jan holidays.
Accommodation
Downtown Durban offers the full range of accommodation options. Surfer friendly guesthouses starting at $15/d. More upmarket options include Blue Waters Hotel (fr $66/dbl/n). A good meal costs about $10.
Activities
Visit the Natal Sharks Board or the Timewarp Surfing Museum one onshore afternoon. Durban nightlife rocks. Go on safari in the Kruger and Kalahari Gemsbok national parks.
Hazards & hassles
All town and Bluff beaches have shark nets - no surfer attacks since 1962. Beware of beach violence, theft and some localism at certain spots. Bluebottle jellyfish in summer.
Handy Hints
Surfboards are prohibited in the patrolled swimming zones from 9am-5pm. Avoid the barnacle encrusted pier pylons. Some of the cheapest surf gear in the world.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.