If you’re planning to head to the beach in Durban anytime soon, you’ll want to double-check which ones are open before packing your swimsuit.
The eThekwini Municipality has released its latest update on beach and public pool accessibility—and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
More Beaches Closed Due to Poor Water Quality
As of June 26, the municipality has closed three additional beaches due to poor water quality, adding to concerns already raised earlier this year.
The newest closures come on top of Anstey’s Beach, which had already been shut.
Here’s the list of Durban beaches currently closed for swimming:
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Anstey’s Beach
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Reunion
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Doonside Beach
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Bronze Beach
The city made it clear that while swimming is not allowed at these beaches, visitors are still welcome to enjoy other outdoor activities in the area.
“This status of beaches and pools will be updated as and when their status changes.
You can still enjoy other recreational activities at closed beaches.
You just can’t swim,” the municipality clarified.
Which Durban Beaches Are Still Open?
Thankfully, not all the news is bad. A number of Durban beaches remain open for swimming—between 06:00 and 18:30 daily.
These include popular spots both central and further afield:
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Point Beach
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Umhlanga Main
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Umgababa
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Toti Main Beach
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Pipeline Beach
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uShaka
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Addington
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Country Club
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Thekwini Beach
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North Beach
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Bay of Plenty
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Laguna Beach
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South Beach
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Wedge Beach
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Mdloti Main
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Battery Beach
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Winklespruit
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Brighton
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Westbrook
That said, it’s important to note that 25 South Coast beaches have also been temporarily shut—but this time due to the annual sardine run, not contamination.
Durban’s Public Pools: A Bright Spot
In more uplifting news, if beaches are off-limits, you’ve got options—40 public swimming pools across the city are currently open, according to the municipality’s latest update.
Here’s the full list of public pools that are now accessible:
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Hambanathi
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Belvedere
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Buffelsdale
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Verulam
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Stanmore
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Rainham
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Ntuzuma E
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KwaMashu G
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Durban North
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Umgababa
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Pipeline
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Tiger Rocks
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Umlazi D
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Umlazi G
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Isiphingo Hills
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Anstey’s Beach Paddling
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Brighton Beach Paddling
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Austerville
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Merewent
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Tessorriere
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Lt King
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Tills Crescent
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Lamontville
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Alex Bulley
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Croftdene
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Bayview
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Arena Park
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Bellair
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Westville
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Clermont
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Marianridge
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Nagina
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Chesterville
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Children Amusement Center
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South Beach
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Rachel Finlayson
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Laguna Paddling
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Sutton Park
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Rochdale
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KwaMashu D
Pool hours are from 6:00 to 18:00, Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 to 17:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
Should the City Be Doing More?
With repeated beach closures due to E. coli contamination, some residents are starting to question whether the municipality is doing enough to tackle the underlying problem.