Durban
Warm when the rest of the country is not — and priced accordingly
Durban's appeal is straightforward: it is subtropical, so while Johannesburg and Cape Town are cold in June and July, the KwaZulu-Natal coast stays warm and dry. That inverts the usual winter-bargain logic. Durban's quiet, cheap months are the ones nobody expects — the humid, wet late summer.
April to May and August to September — warm, dry, and outside the school holidays
The year, season by season
Winter
June to AugustWarm, dry and sunny — the most pleasant weather of the year, and why the July school holidays are a firm peak. Sea temperatures stay swimmable throughout.
Peak summer
December to JanuaryHot, humid and extremely busy with domestic holidaymakers. The beachfront is at capacity and rates are at their highest.
Late summer
February to MarchHot, humid and the wettest part of the year. The quietest and cheapest window, if you do not mind afternoon thunderstorms.
Shoulder
April to May and September to NovemberWarm, drier and considerably less crowded. The best combination of weather and value on this coast.
Where to base yourself
Getting around
A car is useful, because the things people come for are spread along the coast rather than concentrated in the city. The North and South Coasts, the Midlands and Drakensberg are all day-trip or overnight distances from Durban, and none are well served by public transport.
Compare car hire →Worth knowing
- 01King Shaka International is roughly 35 km north of the city and right next to Umhlanga, so a northern base is the shorter transfer.
- 02South African school holidays drive this market far more than international demand. Check the school calendar before booking — it predicts pricing better than the weather does.
- 03The sardine run along the South Coast happens in the winter months and draws its own crowds to an otherwise quiet stretch of coast.
- 04Summer humidity is significant. If that bothers you, the winter months are genuinely the better trip here.
Getting to Durban
Current fares and availability are shown on Travelstart, our booking partner.
Search flights to DurbanPlanning the flight? Read the Johannesburg to Durban route guide for when to book.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Durban?
April to May or August to September — warm and dry, but outside the July and December school holidays when the coast is fullest and dearest.
Is Durban warm in winter?
Yes. It is subtropical, so June through August are mild, dry and sunny, with the sea still swimmable. That is precisely why winter is a peak season here rather than a bargain one.