Oh, this is one of my favourite beaches! I’ve been going to Umdloti Beach just north of Durban since I was a kid. The shallow tidal pool is a favourite of families because it’s relatively safe for small kids. Just don’t get too close to the enclosing rocks because a large wave could suck a person beyond them. By and large, it is safe and lifesavers are close by.
It’s still a favourite getaway spot for Chè and me, and we have a favourite Airbnb we usually stay at. It’s a small village with a supermarket, coffee shops, some good restaurants, and takeaway places. Just remember not to leave any windows open because the monkeys will climb in and steal all your food. The last time I got to the window just in time before the little thief could climb in through the shutters – they will squeeze in, lured by the anticipation of a tasty meal. That’s them in the photo below …
The last time I was there dune rehabilitation was in progress. The beaches had been eroded by particular severe storms in recent years. Parts of the promenade was also damaged at the time.
The southern part of the long beachfront is wild and the beaches are not guarded by lifesavers. The currents are strong and the seabed drops rather dramatically close to the surf line so you got to be a really strong swimmer and know how to navigate the waves to swim at this part of the beach.
The walks along the beach are marvellous and sunset brings out the collectors with their metal detectors, scouring the wave line for trinkets, coins and … (?)
Kite surfers love the wild part of the surf.
I just love this place 🙂
Blogging from A to Z posts – my favourite ones so far are D is for Durban, J is for Johannesburg, R is for Raleigh and S is for Sagres: T is for Trou au Cerfs S is for Sagres R is for Raleigh Q is for Quatres Bornes P is for Port Louis O is for Okahandja N is for New York M is for Marrakesh L is for Lisbon K is for Kanchanaburi J is for Johannesburg I is for Istanbul (Magnetic Istanbul) H is for Hua Huin (party town) G is for Ghent F is for Flic en Flac E is for Erawan Falls D is for Durban (Memories) C is for Chiang Mai B is Bangkok A is for Ayutthaya
