South Beach

South Beach is a surf spot located in Durban, South Africa, at the southern end of the Golden Mile between North Beach and uShaka Marine World. The spot has a sandy bottom and works on all tides, with wave heights ranging from small to over 6 feet. The surf spot provides both left and right waves. The best conditions are usually with a south west wind and an east-southeast swell. The wave length is between 50 and 150 meters. The spot is shark protected and lifeguards are present. When the surf is small, you can paddle from the beach or jump off the pier, but when it is 6 feet or bigger, jumping off the pier is recommended and timing between sets is important. The banks tend to stay the same year after year, changing from a running outside wave in winter to bowls in summer. On big swells, the outside right works well. The spot is crowded, especially on small days, and there can be a hundred people in the water on a good offshore 4 foot day. Localism is strong, and some locals have a bad attitude, so respect the locals and follow surf etiquette, especially when the spot is crowded. If you hold back, you may not get waves, so be ready to hassle a bit, but do not drop in. On bigger days, the atmosphere improves as the more experienced surfers take over. There are man-made dangers like buoys and a strong current that can wash you off the bank. The spot is suitable for intermediate surfers, but always check your skills before paddling out, be sure that the spot and conditions match your level. The area is patrolled by car guards due to car theft, so treat them well. For the latest surf forecast, report, map, and webcam, check online resources. Nearby surf spots include Wedge, New Pier, North Beach, Vetchies Reef, and Battery Beach.