Visitors planning a trip to Durban can look forward to spending time on the city's famous beaches. According to the latest beach water quality results released by the eThekwini Municipality on 11 July 2026, 22 of Durban's 23 regularly monitored bathing beaches currently meet South Africa's national recreational water quality standards, making them safe for swimming, surfing and other water-based activities.
Only Laguna Beach remains closed to swimmers after recording elevated E. coli levels.
Good news for beachgoers
The latest results are encouraging for both local residents and holidaymakers visiting KwaZulu-Natal's Golden Mile or Durban's northern and southern beaches.
South Africa classifies recreational water quality as:
- Excellent: Less than 130 E. coli per 100 ml
- Acceptable: Between 130 and 500 E. coli per 100 ml
- Poor: More than 500 E. coli per 100 ml
All beaches currently open for swimming achieved either excellent or acceptable water quality ratings.
Which beaches are open?
The following monitored beaches are currently open for swimming:
- Central Durban: Wedge, Point, uShaka, Addington, South, North, Bay of Plenty, Battery, Country Club and Thekwini.
- North Coast: Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach.
- South Coast: Toti Main, Anstey's, Brighton, Umgababa, Doonside, Winklespruit, Pipeline and Reunion.
Laguna Beach is the only monitored bathing beach that remains closed after recording an E. coli count of 1,234, well above the national recreational guideline. Visitors may still access the beach, but swimming is not permitted.
What do the results mean?
Several popular beaches recorded excellent water quality, including Westbrook, Point, Addington, Battery Beach, Pipeline, Anstey's Beach and Toti Main. Other favourites, such as Umhlanga Main, North Beach, South Beach, uShaka Beach and Bay of Plenty, also comfortably met national standards.
Only Bronze Beach, Umgababa, Winklespruit, Reunion and Thekwini Beach fell into the "acceptable" category, but all remain safe for recreational use.
Planning a Durban beach holiday
The latest results are welcome news for travellers, with virtually Durban's entire monitored coastline now open for swimming during the city's pleasant winter season.
As water quality can change after heavy rainfall, visitors should always check the latest municipal updates and swim only at lifeguard-protected beaches between the designated bathing flags.
With 22 monitored beaches currently meeting national recreational water quality standards, Durban remains one of South Africa's top coastal destinations for a beach holiday.
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