Durban Tourism and Southern Sun recently hosted Unfold Durban and other media at the stunning Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga, and the result was two busy days of discovering just how much our city has to offer.
Ronelle Pillay, Regional Revenue and Sales Manager for KZN and Gauteng at Southern Sun Hotels, says the focus for 2026 and 2027 is firmly on improving the guest experience through property development, refurbishment and product enhancement. She points to completed refurbishment and expansion projects, including Southern Sun Sandton and the Cullinan in Cape Town, while refurbishment is also underway at properties including Mount Grace and Southern Sun Rosebank Hyde Park. Closer to home, she highlights the continued focus on Elangeni and Maharani, as well as the development of Ocean in Umhlanga.
That type of investment matters because a great Durban summer holiday is about the guest experience that awaits you and the memories you make along the way. So, with summer approaching, I decided to explore Durban from three very different perspectives: Land, Sea and Sky. And believe me, there is plenty to discover.
LAND: Check into a Durban summer
Start with a SunBreaks Durban summer holiday
There’s something about a Durban summer that makes you want to cancel your plans, put on your slops, and head to the beach. The days are longer, the promenade comes alive, and there’s always a reason to get out.
Whether your idea of a holiday involves lounging beside the ocean, racing along the promenade, flying above the coastline or getting seriously close to marine life, Durban has plenty on offer.
If you are searching for a place to stay, Southern Sun is putting SunBreaks firmly on the summer agenda, with its biggest seasonal activation offering savings on selected stays.
So, here is my guide to enjoying a Durban summer holiday. Southern Sun’s SunBreaks summer sale is from 27 to 30 October 2026 and offers up to 30% off qualifying stays from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.
Stay six nights or more and save up to 30%, while stays of two to five nights qualify for savings of up to 25%. It’s also a family-friendly value, with two children under 18 staying and eating breakfast free when sharing a family room with up to two adults.
And Durban gives you plenty of choice.
Current SunBreaks rates at Southern Sun’s include:
- Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani from R1,365 per night
- Beverly Hills in Umhlanga from R4,018 per night
- Garden Court uMhlanga from R1,386 is another option.
Pedal your way along the promenade
Want something that gets the whole family moving? Head down to the Durban beachfront and hire a pedal go-kart.
You can find BERG pedal go-karts at the Skate Park on Snell Parade, near North Beach and in front of the Elangeni. The attraction caters to children from around three years old through to adults, so it isn’t just a kids’ activity. The cost ranges from R70 to R200 depending on your duration
Grab a pedal go-kart, get some exercise, take in the sea views, then stop for something cold afterwards. That’s pretty much the Durban summer formula.
Slow down at Mangwanani
Not every summer activity has to be high-energy. Sometimes the holiday plan should involve absolutely nothing more strenuous than lying still while somebody gives you a massage.
Mangwanani African Spa at Southern Sun Elangeni offers a convenient way to add a little pampering to a Durban stay. Its current Elangeni offering includes the Signature Reset, a 60-minute Traditional African Signature Full Body Massage for R750 per person, while the Luxury Pause combines the massage with either a Royal African Foot Ritual or a North African Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage for R1,099 per person. The current promotion is listed as valid until 31 October 2026, so check for the next seasonal special before booking.
For a longer escape, Mangwanani also lists a three-hour Half Day Pamper Experience at R1,399 per person, including a full-body massage with hot stones, a foot ritual and a head, neck and shoulder massage.
SEA: Durban’s Indian Ocean playground
Get wet at uShaka Marine World
If you have children in tow, or are simply a big kid yourself, uShaka Marine World belongs on your Durban summer holiday itinerary.
The Sea World experience currently costs R267 for adults and R216 for children and seniors, while the Shipwreck Aquarium costs R138 per person.
The 30-minute Snorkel Lagoon experience costs R169 per person and is available to visitors aged five and older. During off-peak periods, the 30-minute snorkel is listed at R90 on Mondays and Tuesdays.
For something a little more unusual, uShaka’s Shark Dive costs R282 per person, for ages eight and up. It gives you a close-up view of sharks without needing to head out on a full diving expedition.
Christmas by the ocean
If you’re staying in Durban over Christmas, Southern Sun is also offering festive dining experiences on 24 and 25 December 2026, with hotels preparing special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus.
For visitors staying in Beverly Hills or elsewhere near Umhlanga, the option may be a simple way to incorporate a festive meal into a coastal holiday rather than spending Christmas Day stuck in the kitchen.
Southern Sun is also offering TravelSmart rates at selected hotels. TravelSmart rates include a minimum two-night stay, breakfast for two and unlimited WiFi with the advertised Standard Room rate.
SKY: See Durban from above
If you want to make a holiday memory, take it up a few thousand feet. Over at Virginia Airport in Durban North, Starlite Aviation offers scenic flights and helicopter experiences along the coast.
Helicopter introductory flights at Starlite currently cost R1,530 to R2,100. These are not just ordinary sightseeing flights; they also provide an introduction to flying, so check the exact experience and availability when booking.
Seeing the Durban coastline from above is something rather special. From the air, the beaches, the harbour, Moses Mabhida Stadium and the city skyline all look entirely different. It would also make a pretty memorable Christmas gift.
Things to do in Durban this summer
The best thing about a Durban summer is that you don’t have to spend a fortune travelling somewhere else to feel like you’ve escaped. Book a SunBreaks stay, walk the promenade, jump on a pedal go-kart, head to uShaka, book a massage, take a helicopter ride or, if you’re brave enough, get into a shark cage. Then finish the day with your feet in the sand and watch the sun disappear over the Indian Ocean. That sounds like a pretty good holiday to me.
Summer holiday planning at a glance
SunBreaks: 27–30 October 2026 for stays from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, with savings of up to 30%.
Beverly Hills Umhlanga: SunBreaks rates are currently advertised from R4,018 per night.
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani: SunBreaks rates are currently advertised from R1,365 per night.
Mangwanani Elangeni: currently listed Signature Reset from R750 per person; seasonal promotions may change.
Pedal Go-karts: available at the Skate Park location on Snell Parade from R70 to R200, but confirm the current rental price before visiting.
uShaka Snorkel Lagoon: R169 per person; off-peak Monday/Tuesday rate listed at R90.
uShaka Shark Dive: R282 per person, ages eight and up.
Durban shark-cage diving: from around R1,500 per person with White Shark Divers, launching from the Umkomaas/Park Rynie area.
Starlite helicopter introductory flight: from R1,530, departing from Virginia Airport.
Prices and availability can change, particularly over the peak festive season. Check directly with each operator before booking.
photo credit: Tristan Chad Maherry and Durban Tourism
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