Bronze Beaches and Seaside Scenes: Walking the Umhlanga Rocks Promenade

Umhlanga Rocks is packed with some of the best attractions Durban has to offer. And the ideal place to see them all is along this residential area’s beachfront promenade, with its resort-town feel. On this walking tour, you’ll get the opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Indian Ocean’s coastline while you listen to the area’s history and hear curious facts about its iconic landmarks.

This tour starts next to the Durban View Parking Lot. You’ll meander down the beachfront promenade to the Lagoon Nature Reserve and Hawaan Forest, where you can witness a broad spectrum of the indigenous ecosystem. I’ll show you something that’s both practical and beautiful, the Whalebone Pier, with its distinctive arching masts. I’ll also tell you about the Fontao and the T-Barge which were both intentionally sunk off the coast here. The tour then culminates at the Umhlanga Promenade Northern Viewing Deck, opposite the Breakers Resort Hotel.

Along the way you’ll get a chance to:

• Stare up in wonder at the Umhlanga Lighthouse
• Find out why Durban has the largest diaspora of Indian people from the subcontinent compared to anywhere else in the world
• Marvel at the Oysterbox Hotel and keep an eye out for the local celebrity, Scabenga the cat
• Scramble over rockpools at low tide to see small fishes, sea urchins, and anemones
• Swim in the calm and protected waters of Granny’s Pool

The distance you’ll be walking is just short of 2.5km and should take between half an hour to 45 minutes. However, you’re more than welcome to take your time and complete the tour at your own pace. Even if you divert off-course to grab a coffee or bite to eat, you can continue the tour by simply returning to the promenade walkway.

On this tour, you’ll gain a new appreciation for Umhlanga Rocks. Its beauty has never been in doubt, but a deeper understanding of its history and its landmarks is sure to elevate your visit to this area.