WITH the summer season in full swing, most visitors and local residents will be making their way down to the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, specifically to its beaches.

In fact, the eThekwini Municipality said it anticipates more than 790 000 visitors to flock to Durban’s coastline this December.

A total of 65 beach guides will be stationed across the various city beaches to aid visitors, and an additional 160 seasonal lifeguards have also been deployed to beaches to prevent drownings.

uMhlanga

In uMhlanga, there are two swimming beaches with lifeguards – they are uMhlanga Main Beach and uMhlanga Bronze Beach.

This stretch of coastline also boasts a number of iconic landmarks, including the Whalebone Pier, which was recently refurbished; the uMhlanga Lighthouse and the world-famous Oyster Box Hotel.

There are also several restaurants along the Promenade which stretches 5km along the beaches and into the new raised boardwalk of the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve.

The beaches are shark-netted and are safe for adults to swim.

The coastline also stretches from the uMhlanga Lighthouse all the way to uMdloti for those who enjoy long walks.

Beachgoers in uMhlanga are now also safer than ever before, thanks to the installation of several new National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) pink rescue buoys along the beachfront.

uMdloti

Much of uMdloti’s coastline is pristine, golden, sandy beaches which stretch along a coastline of approximately 5km.

There’s always a possibility of seeing dolphins swimming off the shore.

Like uMhlanga, the beach boasts lifeguards and a tidal pool which is ideal for younger children. This beach is also the perfect spot for snorkelling. The beaches are shark-netted so it’s safe for adults to swim, do some snorkelling, surfing or diving.

There are also several forest trails on the south side of uMdloti Beach.

Good to know

While residents and visitors enjoy their holidays, the municipality has appealed to the public to continue adhering to safety precautions and by-laws.

This includes not swimming at night when there are no lifeguards on duty, not swimming under the influence of alcohol or swimming at non-bathing beaches where there are no lifeguards.

There are designated areas for spiritual activities, however, the slaughtering of animals, the use of needles and the burning of candles at the city’s beaches are prohibited.

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