Durban's Golden Mile is the name given to the popular stretch of beachfront stretching from South Beach to the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World in the north. The Golden Mile is one of the main tourist attractions in the Durban area, and the wide stretch of golden sands serves as an excellent destination for beach goers who make their way there to enjoy the sunshine and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The majority of these beaches are protected throughout the year by lifeguards and shark nets.

The Golden Mile is also renowned as a surfer's paradise, and the South Beach are in particular, is well known as a safe beach for newcomers to the surfing fraternity. The properties found along the beachfront display a blend of residential apartments and tourist hotels, most of which sprouted in the 1970s. Also situated amongst these hotels and apartments one will also find a variety of popular restaurants and nightclubs, which contribute to the upbeat nightlife of the area.

The Durban coast has been a popular seaside holiday destination for many years, and holiday seasons attract thousands upon thousands of South Africans from far and wide to the Golden Mile, flocking in droves to enjoy its many attractions, which include:

• Blue Lagoon, a popular hangout near the Umgeni River mouth, with picnic facilities, which is also a popular fishing spot
• Mini Town, which displays a scaled model of Durban, complete with a working miniature railway, harbour and airport.
• Traditional vendors, found under thatched roofs along the beach, selling an interesting selection of Zulu art and crafts.
• Suncoast Casino, a casino complex with a private beach, numerous restaurants, shops and public entertainment facilities.
• North Beach, Dairy Beach, the Bay of Plenty and Snake Park beaches, popular surfing beaches separated by piers.
• The Skate Park, which caters for skateboarders, roller bladers and BMX'ers.
• uShaka Marine World, Africa's largest marine theme park featuring an aquarium, water park, dolphinarium, and a restaurant with a shark tank.