Durban Harbour Boat Cruise

The Port of Durban

Durban grew around its natural harbour, a large sheltered bay protected from the Indian Ocean by the long sandspit of the Point on one side and the forested ridge of the Bluff on the other. The port was developed from the nineteenth century onwards and is now the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, handling a huge share of South Africa's container traffic as well as cars, fuel and bulk cargo.

From the water you appreciate how large and busy the harbour is: container cranes tower over the quays, car carriers wait at their berths and smaller fishing and service vessels move between them. The cruise gives a view of the working port that you cannot get from the shore, and the skipper explains what each area of the harbour is used for.

Tugboats, ships and the harbour entrance

The most exciting part of the cruise is watching the tugboats at work. Because the harbour entrance channel is narrow, every large ship is guided in and out by tugs that push and pull it into position, a skilled operation that happens many times a day. Depending on the timing, you may see a vessel arriving from the open ocean or leaving for distant ports.

Ship traffic changes with the hour, so every cruise is a little different. The skipper keeps a safe distance from working vessels while giving you the best views. Is the Durban harbour cruise worth it? For a short outing with a real sense of the city's maritime life, it is a pleasant choice, especially for children who love big ships.

Durban skyline, the Point and the Bluff

From the middle of the harbour you get a wide view of the city skyline, with the high-rise buildings of the beachfront behind. The Point area at the harbour mouth has been redeveloped with a waterfront promenade, a small-craft harbour and the large marine theme park of uShaka, which sits between the harbour and the beach.

Across the water, the Bluff is a long wooded ridge that shelters the port from the ocean swells and was once a whaling station. Seabirds circle above the water, and on clear days the colours of the city and the green ridge make good photographs, so keep your camera ready throughout the trip. Look back towards the beachfront to spot the arch of the city's stadium rising above the skyline.

Planning your visit and things to do in Durban

Cruises depart at about 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 from the boat jetty in the harbour, and each lasts around thirty minutes. Arrive about fifteen minutes early to find the jetty and board without a rush. Morning trips often have calmer water, while afternoon trips enjoy softer light.

The cruise combines easily with other things to do in Durban: the Golden Mile beachfront promenade, uShaka Marine World, the arch of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the spice markets and halal restaurants of the city's Indian quarter. Durban is warm all year, so the best time to visit is any season, with the winter months from May to August being mild and dry.