The first stop for many tourists is the stretch of Durban coastline called the Golden Mile. (It's actually 3.7 miles.) Durban gets 320 days of sunshine a year, so there's plenty to do.
Shaka Marine World is hard to categorize. It has a Sea World section with a saltwater aquarium and a 1,200-seat dolphin stadium. The Wet 'n Wild part has water rides and swimming pools. There's also a beach, a village for shopping and a 1920-era cargo steamer that serves food.
The Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World has something for the whole family. Adults could gamble with 50 gaming tables and 1,250 slot machines. Kids could go to an arcade or see a movie.
If you're interested in observing about 120 South African snakes, then head to Fitzsimons Snake Park. You'll also catch iguanas, tortoises and some crocodiles. (CE: see reference 7)
Victoria Embankment is an old street near harbors going into the Bay of Natal. Also called Esplanade, the embankment has things worth exploring. The South African Sugar Association gives at a terminal that stores sugar for shipment. Brighton Beach is perfect for body surfing, and Treasure Beach has tidal pools with rare corals and marine life.
Durban's diversity is shown in the Indian Quarter. Indians have been in South Africa since the 1860s, but didn't achieve full citizenship until 1961. They were subjected to discrimination until apartheid ended in 1994. Today, their quarter thrives with shopping and mosques open to visitors.
If you want to take a break from the sun, head to a museum. Durban is the busiest port in South Africa, according to the city's official website. The Port Natal Maritime Museum honors the local seafaring culture. You'll learn everything about life at sea, including weather prediction and navigation by using stars. Children could play on three ships.
The Old Court House Museums teaches about local history. An emphasis is on the city's development in lifestyle, wealth and means of production. Displays include imported fabrics, the improvement in sugar production and fashions throughout the 20th century.
The Durban Natural Science Museum might be one of South Africa's smallest museums, but it's well worth checking out. It has models of a Tyrannosaurus rex, an Egyptian mummy and a Dodo skeleton.
The Durban Art Gallery doesn't just display South African art. It also has a collection of European and Eastern Hemisphere work.
