Why go
- Town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Served by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport (ULD).
History
Richards Bay is a city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is situated on a 30-square-kilometre lagoon of the Mhlatuze River, which makes it one of the country's largest harbours. Richards Bay also has the deepest natural harbour on the African continent.
Restaurants & places to go
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo 09:00-20:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00 Features: takeaway · Richards Bay, 3900 · location.steers.co.za
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 · Richards Bay · spursteakranches.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-21:30; Su 10:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · locations.debonairspizza.co.za
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 00:00-24:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · richards bay, 3900 · order.kfc.co.za
Chicken, Portuguese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00; Su 10:00-18:00 Features: halal, kosher · 10 Penny Lane, Richards Bay, 3900 · store.nandos.co.za
African, Chicken, Portuguese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09:00-21:00 · Bullion Boulevard, Richards Bay, 3900 · pedroschicken.co.za
Ice Cream · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 · locations.milkylane.co.za
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, halal
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, air conditioning
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: takeaway
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Burger, Breakfast, Restaurant · Features: takeaway
Breakfast, Burger, Salad, Cafe · Breakfast/Burger cafe
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-16:00 · schatzi.co.za
Coffee Shop, Pizza, Quiche, Cafe · Features: takeaway, air conditioning
Coffee Shop, Pizza, Cafe · Features: takeaway
Barbecue, Burger, Fast Food · Barbecue/Burger fast food
Barbecue, Burger, Fish, Pizza, Seafood, Restaurant · Barbecue/Burger restaurant
Lebanese, Restaurant · Lebanese restaurant
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
Cafe · Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Fast Food · fast food
Fast Food · fast food
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Airports
Richards Bay Airport (RCB) 5.1 km to the centre
Richards Bay, NL, ZA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (South African Airways) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Johannesburg (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
- South African Airways SA (Dash 8-400, J41) · 1 route: Johannesburg*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport (ULD) 84 km to the centre
Ulundi, NL, ZA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Empangeni Airport (EMG) 21 km to the centre
Empangeni, NL, ZA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Mubatuba Airport (DUK) 49 km to the centre
Mubatuba, NL, ZA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Hluhluwe Airport (HLW) 88 km to the centre
Hluhluwe, NL, ZA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Eshowe Airport 63 km to the centre
Eshowe, NL, ZA
Where to stay
12 Dolfyndeining, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · book.nightsbridge.com
4 Prodigal Son, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · diestoep.co.za
42 Bridgetown Rd, Tuzi Gazi, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · wildrocks.co.za
64 Marlynhoek, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · book.nightsbridge.com
37 Shad Shoal, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · hilltonmanor.co.za
97 Via Cassiandra, Arboretum, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · seagulllodge.co.za
10 Anglers Rod, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · la-rochelle.co.za
Krewelkring &, Hibberd Dr, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · imvubulodge.co.za
14 Koorsboom, Arboretum, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · lamerlodge.com
22 Davidson Ln, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · thebayviewhotel.co.za
20 Davidson Ln, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · figtreelane.co.za
14 Via Richardia, Arboretum, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · jnclodge.co.za
3 Hibberd Dr, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · premierhotels.co.za
Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · royalpelican.co.za
149 Krewelkring, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · isibayaguestlodge.co.za
4 The Gully, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · premierhotels.co.za
Corner of Bridgetown and, Pioneer Rd, TuziGazi Waterfront, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · bonhotels.com
Davidson Ln & Launder Lane, Meerensee, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · indabarichardsbay.co.za
18 Dageraad St, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
55 Marlynhoek, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa
18 Rooibos rand, Arboretum, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
78 Mackerel, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa
38 Anglers Rod, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa
Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
30 Pompano Pl, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa
23 Sole Sands, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · book.nightsbridge.com
7 Pelserplaat, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
17 Musselcracker, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · umuziguesthouse.co.za
Current Area, Mzingazi, Main Road, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
10 Crayfish Creek, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3901, South Africa · crayfishcreekguesthouse.co.za
Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa · theridgeguesthouse.co.za
47 Maasbanker, Meer En See, Richards Bay, 3900, South Africa
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport (ULD); 10 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: RCB has direct flights to 1 destination on 1 airline (incl. Johannesburg).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Richards Bay. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Boat Tour
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Sightseeing