scuba holiday - Durban

Durban is a big subtropical city in the north-eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. It has been a major port since the 1850s and is home to the largest concentration of Indian-descended people in the country. Today the city is better known as a scuba holiday destination with authentic underwater scenes and a happening nightlife.
High up on the east coast, Durban is South Africa's sub-tropical beach getaway. The city centre overlooks a long, golden beach that is probably the single most culturally diverse spot in Africa. Here you will find frolicking families of every hue, busy executives out for a quick lunchtime jog, elegant sari-clad matrons strolling across sand, buff surfers running into the waves, and bead-bedecked sangomas collecting therapeutic sea water in bottles.

Durban is actually all about the beach and the ocean, perfect for a scuba holiday. It is home to South Africa's only surfing museum, and is one of the most surf-friendly cities in the world. Frustrated wage slaves can look out of their office windows onto awesome breaks - and then shed the tie and jacket or the high heels and paddle out straight after work. Durban is the closest seaport to Johannesburg and is also an integral part of the city. Durban Bay is one of the better natural harbours on the coastline offering some of the greatest underwater sights for a scuba holiday in South Africa.
Accommodation in Durban itself is conveniently concentrated along the beachfront or Golden Mile, close to the Durban central business district. Slick, high rise Durban hotels with sea views and swimming pools proliferate along this lively strip. Another area that’s close to the beachfront and CBD with more hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and affordable self-catering apartments and villas are the leafy suburbs of Berea and Morningside, well endowed with exceptional restaurants and shopping malls. It is highly advisable to book accommodation in advance during peak season (December and January) as a popular scuba holiday destination the accommodation near the dive centres is quickly booked up.
For a beginner’s scuba holiday Durban might not be the best destination, especially for a solo traveller, the annual Sardine migration is the pinnacle of diving in south Africa whereby divers follow the sardines on their journey along the coast whilst being poached by various underwater predators. Although snorkelers can take part in this experience to get the full benefit of the trip its worth becoming a competent scuba diver in advance. Solo travellers whom are already experienced divers however will lavish this experience under the water and the comraderie which comes hand in hand above the water.
Durban is in the middle of a vast sugar-growing area that was originally worked by indentured labourers from India, many of whom stayed, started businesses and built homes. Durban has the largest population of Indians outside of India. There is a vibrant Eastern feel to the city, a huge spice market, decorative mosques, fantastic temples and - best of all - great food. You'll find dozens of good curry restaurants and you just have to try a bunny chow while you're there. It's a half or quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with curry. Eaten with the hands in the street, it's an obligatory Durban experience.
There are lots to do in and around Durban City when your not under the water as part of your scuba holiday. Many people just park off on the beach, especially on the North Coast, or South Coast, both of which are within an hour's drive of the city, and there are loads of restaurants, some excellent theatre and music, and wild and funky nightlife.
Durban's cultural attractions are perhaps its most appealing diversions. There are Zulu cultural villages to visit, township tours and visits to mosques or the beautiful Temple of Understanding, which has an excellent, inexpensive vegetarian restaurant.
Another interesting spot to visit is Inanda, which was the birthplace of both the Shembe religion and Natal Native Congress, which later became the African National Congress. It was also where Mahatma Ghandi, who lived there at the same time these two other movements were starting, pioneered the concept of Satyagrah, or passive resistance. Truly, a little crucible of world history.
If i´m honest however the amount of time you will dedicate to above the water activities will be limited, you will be so absorbed by the quality of the diving that you will end up spending the majority of your scuba holiday on a boat or under the water.
To find out more about going on a scuba holiday to Durban, Lanzarote or South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART

Author: Emma Parker (29/08/08)

That’s all for now on travelling to Durban for a scuba holiday