The eThekwini Municipality has prohibited swimming at all southern Durban beaches from 2 June 2025 until further notice due to the annual sardine run.
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In a public statement, the municipality said: “The public is advised that swimming is prohibited at all southern beaches from 2 June 2025 until further notice. This is due to removing shark nets to allow for the sardine run.”
The sardine run occurs annually between June and July, when billions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s east coast.
The event attracts predators such as sharks, dolphins, and seabirds, increasing marine activity near the shore.
The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) removed shark safety gear to prevent marine life from becoming entangled.
“The melee of predators accompanying the sardine shoals is problematic, not just to the sardines but also to the KZNSB,” said the board.
“The shark nets that provide bather protection along the beaches take a heavy toll of sharks and dolphins if they are not lifted before the arrival of the Sardine Run,” it said, as per Business Tech.
The swimming ban applies to the following KZN beaches:
1. Isipingo Beach
2. Amanzimtoti Beach
3. Warners Beach
4. Winkelspruit
5. Karridene
6. Umgababa
7. Scottburgh
8. Hibberdene
9. Umzumbe
10. Banana Beach
11. Sunwich Port
12. South Port
13. Umtetweni
14. St Micheals On Sea
15. Uvongo
16. Margate
17. Ramsgate
18. Southbroom
19. Kent Bay Umkobi
20. San Lameer
21. Trafalgar
22. Glenmore
23. Leisure Bay
24. To Strand
25. Port Edward
Signage has been placed to inform the public, and authorities are monitoring conditions. The ban will apply until further notice.
The municipality has urged the public to comply with the ban and follow official updates.
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