Durban's beaches remain partly open for swimming, but the latest municipal water-quality results show a deterioration at several locations since the previous update.
As of 18 September 2026, 19 of Durban's 23 monitored beaches are listed as open for swimming, while four beaches — Doonside Beach, Reunion Beach, Thekwini Beach and Laguna Beach — are closed.
The latest status is based on water-quality samples taken between 14 and 17 September, with E. coli results ranging from 10 to 1,439 across the monitored beaches. The municipality classifies results below 130 as excellent, 130–500 as acceptable and results above 500 as poor.
Which Durban beaches are open?
The latest municipal status lists the following 19 beaches as open for swimming:
Northern beaches: Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach.
Central beaches: Wedge, Point, uShaka, Addington, South Beach, North Beach, Bay of Plenty, Battery Beach and Country Club.
Southern beaches: Toti Main, Ansteys, Brighton, Umgababa, Winklespruit and Pipeline.
For travellers, this means swimming remains possible at a number of the city's main beachfront areas, including Umhlanga and the central Golden Mile.
Four beaches are currently closed
Four monitored beaches are currently closed for swimming:
- Doonside Beach – E. coli result of 798
- Reunion Beach – 1,439
- Thekwini Beach – 557
- Laguna Beach – 644
All four results are above the municipality's poor-water-quality threshold of 500.
The latest results represent a change from the previous update. On 03 (10) September 2026, 22 of the 23 monitored beaches were open, with only Reunion Beach closed after recording an E. coli result of 638 (583).
Water quality varies between beaches
The results also show why it is useful for travellers to check the individual beach status rather than treating Durban's coastline as having one overall water-quality rating.
Several beaches recorded low E. coli readings. Umdloti Main recorded 10, Brighton 10, Ansteys 20, Westbrook 20 and Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach both recorded 31.
Other beaches currently open for swimming recorded results within the municipality's acceptable range. These include Umgababa at 437, Point at 425, uShaka at 336, Toti Main at 153 and Winklespruit at 132.
An “open” status therefore does not necessarily mean that the latest result falls into the municipality's excellent category.
What does this mean for travellers?
If you're visiting Durban and want to swim, there are still 19 monitored beaches available, but four locations should currently be excluded from swimming plans.
The situation can change as new water-quality samples are taken. Travellers planning a beach day should therefore check the latest municipal status before swimming, particularly if they are heading to Doonside, Reunion, Thekwini or Laguna.
The municipality says recreational activities can continue at closed beaches, but swimming is not permitted.
Durban beach swimming hours
The municipal notice lists operating hours of 06:00–18:00 on weekdays and 09:00–17:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
Bottom line
As of 18 September 2026, 19 of Durban's 23 monitored beaches are open for swimming. Doonside, Reunion, Thekwini and Laguna beaches are closed after recording E. coli results above the municipality's poor-water-quality threshold.
For visitors, the key point is that Durban still has a range of beaches open for swimming, but the latest results show that conditions can vary significantly between locations and change from one update to the next.
Source: eThekwini Municipality, Beach Water Quality Results and Status of Beaches and Swimming Pools, 18 September 2026.
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