North Beach (Durban)

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North Beach is one of the beaches of Durban, South Africa. It is situated north of the harbour and bluff, in between Bay of Plenty and Dairy Beach.

North Beach is one of the main beaches in Durban and is cared for by the Durban Surf Lifesaving Club. The clubhouse features prominently on the Marine Parade. The beach itself is flanked by two large piers and is accessible from the Marine Parade that stretches along the Golden Mile.

[edit] Main Attractions

Due to its good surf conditions, Durban and North Beach is an ideal holiday and tourist destination. North Beach provides facilities for surfing , body boarding, paddle ski, skateboarding and plain swimming and sun bathing. During the festive season, the beaches are flooded by holidaymakers and tourists, camping out, braaing and revelling.

At the beginning of the Golden mile is the Suncoast casino. A large complex offering casino gabling, a cinema, a multitude of restaurants and a private beach for sunbathing as well as a number of other facilities. From the casino moving south, you pass the stretch of road recently used for the A1 grand prix in Durban, moving further down the coastline you will encounter the main beaches including north beach and as you wind past the main town beaches you will go past Addington and Vetchies. at the end of the golden mile is the Ushaka marine world, a massive water park and aquarium incorporating the world's largest in-restaurant shark tank, a heli pad for coastal tours and a dolphinarium.

In recent years the yearly flood of holiday makers from the townships has had a detrimental effect on the area, with people sleeping on the streets and bathing in public taps and showers. Local businesses and residents complain about unhygienic effect of the revellers on public spaces and the vastly increased crime rate.

North Beach has a number of restaurants in its immediate vicinity, the most significant of which is Joe Kools. Containing a restaurant, bar and nightclub overlooking the beach, Joe’s as it’s affectionately known, has been part of North beach for many years.

The beaches are protected by a series of shark nets and patrolled by lifesavers.