Durban beaches close to swimmers: Here’s the reason why
eThekwini Municipality has banned swimming at several Durban beaches until further notice. Here’s which ones and the reason behind the decision…
The eThekwini Municipality announced on Monday, 2 June, that it had banned the public from swimming at certain Durban beaches.
According to The Witness, officials made the decision after removing shark nets from these beaches due to the ongoing annual sardine run.
“The public is advised that swimming is prohibited at all southern beaches from today, 02 June 2025 until further notice. This is due to the removal of shark nets for the sardine run,” eThekwini Municipality said on their Facebook page.
The sardine run begins
The sardine run officially kicked off on Saturday, 31 May, after the first shoal was netted in Port Edward, along Durban’s south coast. And sardines weren’t the only fish caught in the nets.
TimesLive reported that one net trapped an astonishing 17 bronze whaler, or copper sharks, highlighting just how dangerous the waters are for swimmers.
Each winter, millions of sardines migrate up South Africa’s east coast, especially through KwaZulu-Natal, in an event known as the sardine run or “The Greatest Shoal on Earth.”
This migration attracts a wide variety of predators like sharks, dolphins, whales, seabirds, and game fish, turning the coastline into a breathtaking marine spectacle.