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If Johannesburg has business and Cape Town has culture, then Durban has the beach. This city is a surfer's paradise, with the warm Indian Ocean offering just the right temperature and the perfect waves for a rewarding surfing experience. Even the busiest of executives hang up their coats during lunch and head for the beach, either for a surf, a swim or a jog. Many keep a surfboard in their car and catch of quick wave before or after work, or both.
The Durban beachfront is a cultural experience. Here you will find families on holiday, surfers challenging the waves, Indian ladies walking in flowing saris, beaded traditional healers collecting bottles of seawater to use a muti and youngsters strutting their stuff on the pristine beaches. The sea plays an important part. There are 2 yacht clubs and one very big commercial harbour, the biggest and busiest harbour in South Africa. Enjoy lunch in the shadow of huge container ships and cruise liners as they enter the harbour. Shopping is a wonderful and special experience, with strong influences from the East. The Indian culture adds a touch of spice, literally and figuratively, and you will be able to purchase a number of interesting Eastern wares at the Victoria Market. Traditional beadwork and baskets are for sale at ridiculously low prices on the beachfront.
For a more upmarket shopping experience, the Gateway Shopping Centre is more than just an average shopping mall. Besides being one of the biggest malls in the southern hemisphere, it also offers a climbing wall and an enormous artificial standing wave - the first artificial double-point break in the world. But most people come to Durban for the surfing, and the city boasts South Africa's only surfing museum. Another fun water based activity is to paddle out on a sea kayak, or even a short and gentle white water trip on the nearby Umgeni River. Some of the hardest climbs in South Africa are at the Wave Cave at the nearby Shongweni.
The diving south of the city is excellent. In winter and spring, migratory Ragged Tooth Sharks make their appearance at Aliwal Shoal and can be viewed on a specially organized dive. There are also alot of coral-encrusted rock reefs with pretty tropical fish for the less intrepid. For the more serious diver, Protea Bank is a must. Durban City GuideThe vibrant city of Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province is South Africa’s busiest port. Endless golden beaches adjacent to the warm Indian Ocean with a mixture of the country’s colourful cultures, is what gives this attractive seafront city its subtropical paradise charm.
The land of modern-day Durban was a gift by the Zulu King, Shaka during the 1830’s. Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is a city of pleasure and relaxation. Activities range from surfing, whale watching and cultural tours to an electric nightlife.
Durban’s climate lends itself to outdoor pursuits of all kinds year round. The beaches stretch for miles up and down the coast. The warm Indian Ocean draws visitors from far and wide to escape cooler climates. Surfing is one of the city’s top attractions, with regular competitions and world class events. Both the North and South beach is shark-protected and dolphins can often be seen close to the shore. The mile long stretch of beachfront in Durban is called The Golden Mile, packed with hotels, pubs and bars.
At the northern end of the Golden Mile is the popular Suncoast Casino and Entertainment complex right on the beach. Visitors to this city in KwaZulu-Natal will find a variety of eateries, bars and much more. Another cool thing to do from here is hire a Retro Bike. These superb rides are sure to get you noticed and provide a great way to explore the Durban promenade. At the opposite end of the Golden Mile is uShaka Marine World, a multi faceted complex to suit every kind of traveller with direct access to the beach. | 
