A South-African surfing paradise

Durban is the third largest city In South Africa and the busiest port in Africa. Originally called Port Natal and settled by the British, Durban’s main draw is its fabulous beaches and great surfing. The city’s sandy stretches are along the ‘Golden Mile’ where excellent breaks and a water temperature rarely below 20°C pull in the surfers, snorkelers and swimmers. Behind the Golden Mile, hotels, promenades and flea markets serve the holidaymakers, many of who are from nearby Johannesburg. The city is home to the Surfing Museum, the modern uShaka Marine World aquarium and the trendy BAT centre with its restaurants and pubs. Durban has the largest Indian population outside of India, so curry is a popular dish, as is the local loaf, the Bunny Chow.

Why Go?
Go for the beaches, the breaks and the beautiful climate. Durban is a thriving, lively resort with great food, an interesting mix of cultures and a host of interesting diversions to keep you busy. It’s also a great place from which to explore the Kwazulu-Natal region.

When to Go?
Durban has a warm subtropical climate. The weather is good year-round, with an average of 320 days of sunshine. Temperatures range from around 16-25ºC from April to September. From November to March they range from 23-33ºC. Light rain falls occasionally throughout the year, although December to March is the wettest season with high humidity. Christmas holidays tend to be crowded.

How to get there?
Flights from London to Durban International Airport (DUR) tend to go via Johannesburg or Cape Town. There are no direct flights. Flights with one stopover from London take around 14 hours, excluding time spent on the ground. Durban Airport is situated 15km from the city centre. There are airport shuttle services to the city, and car hire and taxis are available.

Must see
Once you’ve spent some time sunning or surfing on the Golden Mile, visit the uShaka Marine World with its aquarium, dolphin show and rides. Try a delicious loaf of Bunny Chow, filled with curry and unique to Durban. For tasty Durban Indian food, the area near Victoria Market is the best. Fitzsimons Snake Park is a great attraction for families. Further afield, for a wonderful mix of culture and cuisine, go to the Temple of Understanding, which has a pretty and inexpensive vegetarian onsite restaurant.