Do you like the sun and sea? Do you want a golden tan? Do you fancy diving into the depths and enjoying some water sports? If so, head to Durban without further ado!
Dom Vasco de Gama made a good choice. In 1497, whilst sailing towards India, this Portuguese explorer decided to drop anchor in a stunning bay. 500 years later and Durban has become the biggest town in KwaZulu-Natal. A lively melting pot that attracts lots of tourists during their trip to South Africa.
It's also worth noting that the weather is really good. It's a subtropical climate, so warmer than its temperate neighbours. Even during winter, temperatures rarely drop below 20°C (68°F). Rainfall increases from October to January and can carry over into February. These are also the hottest months of the year.
Durban today is a fun, buzzing town. Strolling along its seafront, you could easily believe you're in the States or Australia. Durban is South Africa's main beach resort. It's beaches are popular and there are loads of activities on offer.
Durban has it all - sandy beaches, sunny skies and hot weather. The beach is the town's tourist hub and local traders cater well for tourists' needs.
There's something for everyone. You can spend your time lazing on the sand. You don't need to leave your towel, but remember your sunscreen if you want a golden tan. You can also take a work out class and pump your pecs with some strength training.
And if you like team sports, there's volley ball, beach football and rugby sessions throughout the day.
Before you dive into the sea be warned that the water is cool and you need to take care when swimming. The currents can be really strong. There are a host of water sports on offer. Body boarding, kite surfing, long boarding, windsurfing, surfing...there's something for all tastes and levels.
You can also go on some great dives in Durban; the perfect way to explore the depths during a trip to South Africa.
And then there's the ultimate sub-marine experience...cage diving with Great Whites. Trust me, it's a truly terrifying experience. Durban is one of the best places to do this, with numerous agencies in town offering (safe!!) excursions to meet Jaws himself.
With so many things to do in Durban, you can easily spend several days here without getting bored. Some visitors feel the town is not representative of Africa - too modern, too Australian - but even so, its laid back, welcoming ambience is a big plus.
