eThekwini Municipality reports record beach attendance on New Year's Day
Thousands of beachgoers flocked to the Durban beachfront on New Year's Day, the eThekwini Municipality said.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Durban began the New Year on a positive note as thousands of residents and holidaymakers flocked to the City’s beaches on 1 January 2026, with authorities confirming that all major festivities concluded without serious incidents.
According to eThekwini Municipality, “there were about 609 950 bathers, with an estimated number of 853 190 people on the beach promenade,” underscoring the scale of the turnout along the coastline.
The municipality said lifeguards and emergency services responded to 290 rescues involving swimmers caught in difficult sea conditions. The City credited their “professionalism, vigilance, and teamwork” with “safeguarding lives and maintaining the festive spirit on our coastline.”
While the City said there were no drowning incidents reported, the National Sea Rescue Institute said search efforts were ongoing for a 22-year-old man from the Eastern Cape who vanished in the surf at Durban's South Beach.
Children who were separated from their families were successfully reunited with their parents, the City said.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The municipality added that child safety was also prioritised amid the crowds. Municipal beach guides issued “21 317 wristbands to children,” and all “168 separated children were successfully reunited with their parents.”
Of those children, 52 children were safely kept overnight at a facility dedicated to housing separated children ensuring their protection until families were located.
The influx of visitors resulted in increased waste generation along the beachfront. In response, the municipality implemented what it described as “a comprehensive Waste Management Plan,” which included additional cleaning teams, roving crews, a structured shift system, and extra litter bins at strategic points.
As a result of these measures, the City said that “tons of waste were collected and safely disposed,” while recyclables were “collected, sorted and diverted from landfill.”
The municipality expressed appreciation to beachgoers who “disposed of their waste responsibly and cooperated with cleaning teams to keep Durban’s coastline clean, safe, and welcoming.”
Law enforcement operations were also intensified during the New Year period. Durban Metro Police conducted roadblocks across the City to promote road safety and curb drinking and driving.
The municipality reported that “a total of 13 operations were conducted, and 14 drivers were arrested for drinking and driving.”