Thrill Seeking Activities in and around Durban
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Durban Pier
The coastline of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is home to spectacular scenery and landscapes, and with its buslting city of Durban, visitors and locals alike may enjoy the many different activities in Durban and attractions. Accommodation in Durban ranges from budget backpacker places to the most luxurious, five star seaside Resorts. Activities in Durban can be enjoyed by young and old, be it a thrilling hot air balloon ride or the first sky diving experience.
Surfing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Over time Surfing has become more and more popular and is no longer seen as being an activity for the young, long-haired, sun bleached raggedy free spirits. Surfing has now become big business. Today, there are specialized and dedicated surf schools all along the KwaZulu-Natal coast in South Africa, and anyone, young and old (fitness required) can learn how to surf with confidence and in safety.
There are good, great and fantastic surf spots scattered all along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and you could spend almost your entire life exploring them all. But some places do stand out, particularly Durban and Jeffrey’s Bay. Durban is known as Surf City. The beach is right in the city, and locals surf any time of the day. Also, the water is warm so that one can even enjoy the ocean in the winter. Blessed with absolutely perfect waves, great weather, pretty scenery and much more Durban has become a popular surfing destination.
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Skydive Durban
Sky Diving
Another exciting activity in Durban is skydiving. Has it been a dream of yours to experience the thrill of Skydiving? If you are looking for an awesomely fun day out, a tandem parachute jump is a fantastic way to get your adrenaline pumping, there is no need for any skills, but just need be of relatively good health and sound of limb. How the Tandem jump works is, there’ll be few minutes’ briefing as well as some skydiving instruction and – before you know it – you’re firmly strapped onto an experienced tandem master and taken up in a plane. After reaching the jump altitude, you will exit the plane together while the tandem master controls the whole process. Expect anything between between 30 to 60 seconds of freefall, depending on the jump altitude, after which the tandem master opens the chute and then, after a short canopy ride, you land. Very Simple. Now you just have to slow your heart rate down to about 300 beats per minute.
If that doesn’t sound of interest and you have a penchant for extreme sports and outdoor adventures and you would like to get a bit more serious about skydiving, is it advised that a training course is done at any of the registered skydiving schools. With two choices on offer. The first option is either start off doing normal static line jumps, during which the parachute is deployed by a static line attached to the plane. After a min of 8 static line jumps, you will be cleared by your instructor to progress to freefall and then to higher and higher altitudes.
The alternative is the accelerated free fall (AFF) option. Here the experience is a little different where you also undergo basic training, but instead of doing static line jumps, you exit the plane firmly held and stabilized by two instructors. You are not physically attached to them, so you get to experience free fall on your first jump and, once you are stabilized and have reached the right altitude, the instructors tell you to pull your ripcord. If you fluff it up, they are there to open it for you, and then track away to open their own chutes and meet up with you again once you are safely on the ground. The purpose of this is not just to fall out of the sky.
Company: Skydive Durban
Skydive Durban offers tandem skydives.
Mobile 072 214 6040 / Fax 086 696 4178
Pietermaritzburg (Oribi) Airport
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Helicopter & Microlight Flights in KwaZulu-Natal
W1ings Luxury Air Charter
When it comes to seeing South Africa from a different point of view, helicopter flights provide a spectacular way of exploration. Renowned for its beautiful scenery, amazing landscapes and stunning natural attractions, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa can be enjoyed both from the ground and the air. There is something about flying in such a small aircraft that makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Whether it is the size of the helicopter, the sound of the propellers or the fact that it can do flips and turns more easily than larger aircraft, the experience of flying in a helicopter is one that is long remembered. Gyrocopter or Autogyro’s can fly safely at low speeds making this relaxing way to enjoying flying and learning to fly.
Company: Sky Adventures
Sky Adventures offers hot-air balloon rides, gyrocopter flights, helicopter rides, microlight flights, tandem-skydiving jumps and tandem-paragliding flights. In addition, they offer both private and executive air charters and specialised packages for proposals, anniversaries and corporate events.
Mobile 073 334 7911 / Fax 086 656 3118
Virginia Airport, Durban
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Hot-Air Ballooning
Hot-Air Ballooning
To Experience something totally different, something that has a feeling that is indescribably different and unique, hot-air ballooning is a must-do activity to put on your travel itinary.
Slowly drifting away from the surface of the earth in the cool pre-dawn of early morning, while watching the sunrise, safely in the basket of a hot air balloon, is one of the most fun things you can do before breakfast. So it’s a bit tough if you’re not a morning person waking up before the sun comes up, but almost all hot air balloon rides are conducted disgustingly early. But you don’t have to face the skies on a totally empty stomach. You’ll be offered tea or coffee and biscuits or muffins while you watch the crew inflating the balloon – which is almost as much fun as flying in it.
If you are planning a romantic occasion or simply want a breathtaking adventure activity that will allow you to lose your head in the clouds, hot air ballooning is one of the most popular activities you may enjoy. Experience the majesty, quiet timelessness, colour and fun of this great modern-day romantic adventure from venues in Northern and Central Drakensburg. Come to the Midlands or Tala Private Game Reserve near Camperdown.
Company:
Mobile 083 655 4658 / 083 446 9423
Kwa-Zulu Natal
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African Queen Sailing Cruises
A boat cruise is an excellent way to enjoy panoramic views and to get up close and personal with a variety of aquatic life. Whether on the ocean, a river, or a dam, a boat trip will allow you to enjoy every aspect of your surroundings. Custom boat trips will ensure that the cruise is tailor-made to suit everyones interests and needs. For a more elegant experience, try a luxury yaght cruise. There are many types of cruises including: a short day cruise, sunset cruise, dinner cruise, and an eco cruise, so you will find something that will suit your requirements.
Advantage Tours (Cruiser and Charter) – established in 1991 – now the largest boat-based whale/dolphin watching operator in Kwazulu Natal, operating in St Lucia, Durban and Richard’s Bay (harbour/ocean cruises) as well as boat sightseeing cruises on the St Lucia Estuary. This team of dedicated enthusiastic Advantage crew is world renowned for the quality of their 2-hour cruises to see Humpback whales from as close as 50 m (please always ensure your operator has a legal BBWW permit), dolphins, marine mammals, sharks, flying fish, hippos , crocodiles, prolific birdlife and more. The vessels are all custom-built with passenger comfort and safety in mind and go through rigorous SAMSA approved tests. The crew’s passion for what they do is carried over to YOU, our client, and you will leave us with memories to last you a lifetime! Come have the most fun you will ever have with your clothes on! Photographic opportunities a-plenty!
HIPPO & CROC BOAT CRUISES – discover the St Lucia Estuary in comfort aboard the luxury Advantage Cruiser passenger ferry, custom-built to venture into shallow waters, fully licensed bar, tuck shop, toilets, public address system, comfortable upholstered seats with ample walking space to view hippo, crocodile, a variety of birdlife and mangrove swamps with qualified skippers and guides who will give you background of the ecosystems. Catering by prior arrangement.
WHALE WATCHING – in St Lucia with the only legal permit holder, Advantage Charter is one of the top two operators in the country, permitted to take you as close as 50 m from the humpback whale. Sightings are guaranteed or you get 40% of your money refunded. A soul-stirring experience as part of your ‘Things to do before I get too old’ list. The tour is two hours long, but we need three hours of your time – the humpback whale is considered to be the most playful and acrobatic of all large whales. Other sightings include southern right whales, a variety of dolphins, whale sharks, sharks, flying fish and sea turtles.
DEEP SEA FISHING – get the adrenalin pumping. Your enthusiastic guides will always make sure you have a day to remember, catching that big one from aboard the Advantage Charter. The sheer magic of being on the ocean makes it all worthwhile. We supply all the bait and tackle, you bring along your own food and drink, and you get to keep everything you catch.
Company: Advantage Tours
Telephone 035 590 1259 / Cell 083 487 2762
1 McKenzie Street, St Lucia, corner of Dolphin Supermarket
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Aquarium Shark Diving & Snorkelling in Durban – uShaka Marine World – Durban
Underwater Adventures
If you have always dreamt about diving with sharks and other species, but you are not quite ready to brave the open water, aquarium diving offers the perfect solution. All dive levels from unqualified to experienced divers are able to venture into the underwater world of South Africa’s top aquariums, to dive with sharks, rays, turtles and a host of other marine species – with guaranteed sightings of marine life, and excellent visibility. The majority of aquariums also offer short resort courses for those with no scuba experience, ensuring that everyone can join in on the fun on this memorable experience.
Durban’s renowned uShaka Marine World is home to Calypso Dive – where you can book shark dives in the aquarium, as well as a range of other diving experiences. uShaka Marine World is one of the largest aquariums in South Africa, featuring a wide range of exhibits as well as seal and dolphin shows. Diving adventure activities include cage diving with sharks, the Ocean Walker experience in the Open Ocean exhibit (where you can walk across the ocean floor and view marine life) plus Snorkel Lagoon for those who prefer to snorkel rather than scuba dive in South Africa.
The Snorkel Experience – See myriads of silvery fish flash only millimeters from your face as you float lazily around the snorkel lagoon, or dive through the Phantom Ship where you will be able to spot the long-lost treasures from the cargo ship wreck, including a Willy’s Jeep believed to be from World War II, but beware; you may come face to face with a shark!
The Xpanda Shark Dive – With nothing but the Xpanda cage between you and the fierce Ragged Tooth shark, you can test your courage by enduring a close encounter with Ragged Tooth sharks circling your cage, and enjoy seeing Brindle bass at close range.
The Oceanwalker Experience – uShaka Marine World is the only place in South Africa where you can walk among the sea’s beautiful creatures using an innovative device such as the Oceanwalker. The Open Ocean Tank has magnificent marine life such as rays, sand sharks, tuna and pompano, and to think you do not need a diving qualification to enjoy a walk inside uShaka Marine World’s largest exhibit!
Company: uShaka Marine World
Telephone 031 328 8000
1 King Shaka Avenue, Point, Durban
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Should you wish to experience these Thrill Seeking Adventures and activities in Durban, log to the South African Hotels Website or alternatively for specific hotel recommendations click on the links below:
Hilton Durban
Royal Hotel
Riverside Hotel & Spa
Quarters Hotel Florida Road
