The eThekwini Municipality has given swimmers the go-ahead at 21 beaches and opened 41 public swimming pools across Durban and surrounding areas, according to its latest status update dated 8 October.
However, the city has closed two beaches for swimming after water quality tests returned high E. coli readings.
The municipality said it updates the list whenever the status of a beach or pool changes, so beachgoers should check the latest information before heading out.
Where you can swim in Durban
Lifeguarded beaches open for swimming from 6:00 to 18:30 daily include:
- Central: Wedge, Point, uShaka, Addington, South Beach, North Beach, Bay of Plenty, Battery Beach and Country Club
- North: Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Bronze Beach and Umhlanga Main
- South: Toti Main, Ansteys, Brighton, Umgababa, Doonside, Winklespruit, Pipeline and Reunion
Most of these beaches recorded excellent water quality in tests conducted between 5 and 8 October. Point, uShaka, Bay of Plenty, Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Toti Main and Pipeline all came in with E. coli counts below 10, well under the excellent threshold of 130.
Country Club recorded a count of 345, which still falls within the acceptable range of 130 to 500.
Why two beaches remain closed
The municipality closed Thekwini Beach and Laguna Beach to swimming after both recorded counts well above the 500 limit indicating poor water quality.
The city stressed that visitors can still enjoy other recreational activities at closed beaches, such as walking, picnicking and fishing. Swimming, however, is not allowed until the water quality improves.
The municipality also urged beachgoers to keep the coastline clean by using bins for litter.
Public swimming pools open across eThekwini
The city has opened 41 public pools, operating from 6:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and from 9:00 to 17:00 on Sundays and public holidays. They are:
Hambanathi, Belvedere, Buffelsdale, Verulam, Stanmore, Rainham, Ntuzuma E, KwaMashu G, KwaMashu D, Durban North, Umgababa, Pipeline, Tiger Rocks, Umlazi D, Umlazi G, Isiphingo Hills, Anstey’s Beach paddling pool, Brighton Beach paddling pool, Laguna paddling pool, Austerville, Merewent, Tessoriere, Tills Crescent, Lamontville, Alex Bulley, Croftdene, Bayview, Arena Park, Bellair, Westville, Clermont, Marianridge, Nagina, Chesterville, Children’s Amusement Centre, South Beach, Rachel Finlayson, Sutton Park, Rochdale, Illovu and Balkumar Singh.