Durban Cruise Port Guide
Photos: ---=XEON=--- (CC BY 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Melissa Ellis (Mel), Adrian Miral, Rogelio Jr, abdelmajid ouazine, David Dye · via Google Maps
- Country:
- South Africa
- Region:
- Indian Ocean & Africa
- Coordinates:
- 29.8583° S, 31.0250° E
About Durban
Among the major ports of Indian Ocean & Africa cruises, Durban stands out as the third-most populous city in South Africa and the largest in KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast along the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean, it is the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa.
The port's central location makes it easy to explore nearby attractions. Cape Town, Mombasa, Port Louis and Le Port are among the neighbouring ports on regional itineraries.
Attractions near the cruise terminal
Within the city, you'll find the Durban Botanic Gardens (2.0 km away, rated 4.5 out of 5 with 10,721 reviews), a botanical garden in the Berea area. The Durban Beach Front lies just 1.7 km from the port and offers scenic views with a 4.4 rating from 6,653 reviews. North Beach Pier (1.7 km, rated 4.5) and Mini Town (1.8 km, rated 4.1) provide further entertainment options. For those venturing slightly further, Blue Lagoon Beach is 5.3 km away with a 4.2 rating.
Durban is the third-most populous city in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast of South Africa, on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean, Durban is the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa and was formerly named Port Natal. North of the harbour and city centre lies the mouth of the Umgeni River; the flat city centre rises to the hills of the Berea on the west; and to the south, running along the coast, is the Bluff.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Durban on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Durban Botanic Gardens · via Google Maps Botanical garden
Durban Botanic Gardens
4.5 (10,721) 2.0 km from port
Orchids, palms, birds & reptiles in Africa's oldest botanic garden, plus a lake & arboretum.
Near: Orient Astroturf (111 m) · St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (115 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Saturday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am – 5:45 pm
- 5 · “Beautiful gardens on a lovely day. Lots of seating available throughout the park and some really good places to relax…” — Andrew
- 5 · “Beautiful place. Wheelchair access. Spots to picnic. It's quiet. Absolute must, even if just once. Herb garden needs attention but…” — Samantha Hooper
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Photo: Андрей Кузнецов · via Google Maps Scenic point
Durban Beach Front
4.4 (6,653) 1.7 km from port
Near: Durban Skate Park (129 m) · Grosvenor Court. (173 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful beach day on March 29th. You have to keep your bathing suits and towels with you when in Durban.…” — Veronica Berling
- 5 · “Durban is an Amazing place in fact the whole of the KZN Coast is, but Durbs has something Special about…” — Scott Freiherr von Memerty
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Photo: Marlene Sheik Ibram · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Mini Town
4.1 (4,362) 1.8 km from port
Opened in 1969, this nonprofit park offers city & other landmarks in 1:24 scale, plus a snack stand.
Near: Golden Sands. (122 m) · Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (149 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- 5 · “Visit this place a little more often of late with the kids. brings back childhood memories associated with school excursions.…” — Leon Naidoo
- 5 · “This afternoon we visited a true Durban classic: Mini Town. And honestly, we were very pleasantly surprised. It was Vihaan…” — Kovania Chetty
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Photo: AHMED YUNUS FYZOO · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Blue Lagoon Beach
4.2 (1,987) 5.3 km from port
Near: Blue Lagoon park (293 m) · Green Corridors (336 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “The beach is pristine and beautifully maintained, with soft sand and stunning views of the ocean. The atmosphere is perfect…” — Lucilia Ferreira
- 5 · “Awesome place to relax and take in the beach views. Abundant fishing spots and local stalls to get food and…” — Kurwin Gungaloo
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Tourist attraction
Durban Beach Front Promenade
4.4 (1,892) 3.0 km from port
Near: Durban Beach (277 m) · Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment (320 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “It's an amazing place for all locals are amazing as well” — Haiden Eales
- 5 · “A trio of friends walked the length of Durban beachfront recently before dawn, and all 3 were pleasantly surprised with…” — Fee Warren
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Park and Garden
Gugu Dlamini Park
4.0 (716) 0.4 km from port
Near: Saxony Workshop Shopping Centre (141 m) · South African Reserve Bank (178 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Great park, next to the Workshop mall. Walking distance from The Hilton. Named after an Aids activist. Planning to host…” — Molloh Simelane
- 5 · “Nice to get in and relax. Stunning views of Durban CBD from the park.” — Wonder Mahembe
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Tourist attraction
North Beach Pier
4.5 (505) 1.7 km from port
Near: Rachel Finlayson Swimming Pool (138 m) · Joe Cools (140 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Great place for walk and relax on the beach. Always many poeple., some stall with food and drink, and nice…” — Monika Karlińska
- 4 · “Great sunshine. Surfers kept us entertained Seat was warm” — Eric Breedt
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Tourist attraction
Suncoast Beach
4.4 (475) 2.8 km from port
Near: Billy G Suncoast (162 m) · Suncoast Casino, Hotels and Entertainment (165 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
- 5 · “Another of Durban’s many stunning beaches. A broad beach with soft golden sand and amazing waves. A hotspot for surfers…” — Imran Jadwat
- 5 · “I love the convenience of this beach. Being so close to the restaurants and Centre. Central location. We had a…” — Ntombi Mabaso
Map of Durban and nearby attractions
Cruises calling at Durban
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