Durban Harbour

About Durban Harbour

Durban is the capital city of the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, on the east coast of the country. It is not only a popular tourist attraction and coastal hotspot, but it is also home to the continent's biggest container terminal and one of the busiest ports in Africa - the Durban Harbour. This harbour is a popular tourist attraction too, thanks to its idyllic setting, central positioning, and massive proportions.

Did you know? The bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation area of mangrove swamps.

Durban Harbour is a natural harbour that still resembles the original bay's shape. It is said that Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, discovered the bay in 1497. Soon, it became a major point of access that was conveniently located between Algoa Bay and Maputo Bay. Today, visitors to Durban Harbour can look forward to watching in awe as giant container ships are led in.

There are a number of ferry trips and cruises that take place in the harbour. These trips are an awesome pastime for locals and visitors alike, and a great way to see the beauty of the KZN coastline. Chartered fishing boats are docked at the harbour and promise avid fishermen a great opportunity to try their hand at angling in the Indian Ocean waters off Durban's shores.

The bay is surrounded by a stunning conservation area of mangrove swamps. This not only adds to the beauty and splendour of the natural countryside, but also provides the ideal habitat for a number of animal species.

For those that feel more energetic, the bay is also a fantastic place to go parasailing, kayaking or canoeing. Durban itself is home to the King Shaka International Airport and an array of tourist attractions, heritage sites, cultural hotspots and prime shopping opportunities.