The Golden Mile is a popular stretch of beach and promenade in the city of Durban. It starts from the site of the Ushaka Sea World theme park and stretches to the Suncoast Casino near the World of Entertainment complex in the north of Durban.
This part of Durban is one of the city's main tourist attractions. The wide stretch of golden sand, artificially divided by numerous piers, is a great place for lovers of subtropical sunshine and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Most of the Golden Mile beaches are protected all year round by special nets against possible shark attacks. The beach is also known as a surfer's paradise, in particular the South Beach section.
What makes this coastline special is the mix of residential flats and tourist hotels that began development in the 1970s, mixed with popular restaurants and nightclubs.
The Golden Mile has long been popular with South Africans during the holiday season: June-July and December-January. In particular, locals and visitors come here to enjoy its many attractions which include:
casinos, restaurants, shops, Sea World Aquarium, water park, dolphinarium, the Blue Lagoon which is a popular picnic and fishing spot, Mini City with a miniature replica of Durban complete with a working miniature railway and airport. The Oceanway footpath runs along the beaches to attract most holidaymakers and locals to walk and cycle.
North Beach, Dairy Beach and Country Club are the most popular with surfers. There is also a Skate Park and the Surf Museum.
