Voyage of discovery at Port Natal Maritime Museum

The Durban harbour is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. The Port Natal Maritime Museum completes this iconic harbour boasting a panoramic view that tells the nautical history of our port city.
Port Natal Maritime Museum is one of a kind, you can walk around the ship or go below the deck. This is where children’s imagination takes a voyage of discovery as they pretend to be on board a real floating vessel.
The Port Natal Maritime Museum offers three historic ships for the public to explore. The oldest ship “ULUNDI” is 75 years old and boasts a coal-fired engine. Also on display is a 42-year-old naval minesweeper, the “SAS Durban”. The youngest ship on display is a 38-year-old steam tug, “JR More” which was driven by an oil-burning engine and also worked as a tugboat in the harbour, but was well equipped to brave the open sea during salvage operations.
But your exploration does not stop there. Visitors can go back in time in the Britannia Exhibition Hall with ancient nautical equipment on display from weather prediction equipment, navigation by stars, and communication equipment linking ships at sea to dry land.
Recently the famous Lady in White bronze monument was moved to The Port Natal Maritime Museum from her original spot at the T-jetty in Durban Harbour. She used to be visited a lot by tourists, but since the security restrictions took effect access by the public has become more and more difficult until eventually it was decided to move her to her present position at the Maritime Museum.
Entrance to the museum is on donations and open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:00, Sundays and Public Holidays from 11:00 to 16:00. The Maritime Museum offers families and tour groups hours of exploration, fun and education.
Picture credit: Traveller 24
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Port Natal Maritime Museum
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