The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Richards Bay

Afrikaans name: Richardsbaai

Richards Bay harbour area

Richards Bay harbour

Photo © Steven Herbert

KwaZulu-Natal

Richards Bay is a town situated on the site of one of South Africa's biggest harbours. The town gets its name from Sir Frederick Richards, Commodore of the Cape at the time, who set up a small harbour there in the 1870's.

In 1972 work began to improve and extend the harbour with work finishing in 1976.

Richards Bay accommodation

Are you looking for accommodation in Richards Bay?

Richards Bay has plenty of accommodation options available

Richards Bay is very much an industrial town. The harbour possesses the worlds largest coal export facility as well as two aluminium smelters. Although Richards Bay has residential areas, a number of the workers live in nearby Empangeni and Esikhaweni.

Richards Bay is also well known for a number of recreational pursuits including kite-surfing, bird-watching and fishing. Although it is not an ideal holiday spot it is well placed to visit places like iMfolozi Game Reserve and St. Lucia which are less than an hour away.

Why do you visit Richard's Bay?



References and further reading


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