One of the few places that is home to true relics, a raft of history and amazing stories. The Maritime Museum is quaint and fulfilling. Wear proper shoes or sneakers as the "self tour" can take you from the top of the ship to the the very base of the narrow engine rooms with tiny entrances and gullies. A definite must for all. Kids will love exploring the ships. Interesting fact is that there is a bronze statute of a lady that played a pivotal part in WW2 and the sailors morale as they sailed through the narrow port back then. You should visit to get the full story. Epic and involved. ️
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This was an enjoyable experience with my wife and 3.5yr old son. You get to go onto the Tug Boat and explore a little. They have a few props setup inside the rooms. You can also climb down into the engine room. Then there is the little museum which had a few model ships that have incredible detail, as well as other items that were used by sailors. The place is a bit small though, but hey for R10 it's well worth it. Great for a 1 time visit, there's not much to see so I wouldn't go back again unless I'm taking family or friends for a visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The history stored in one building, is incredible and the figurines are the best feature. Scaled and painted with the right colours and designs it's sure to take you on a deep dive into the history of Natal. ☯️ Beautiful artworks and stunning pieces of history, every tourists must stop. Also very cheap to enter and holds the beautiful J.R. Moore who holds her own hidden histories of our port.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

It has two tugs and a mine sweeper that you can explore. The kids love all the ladders and clambering up and down. They are trying to restore some of the ships, but this is tough work against the ravages of time. View of the harbour from the mine sweeper is great. The tin house that is part of the museum (not the one that you get your tickets from) has some interesting history on Durban but is often overlooked.

It's an awesome experience going through these old ships and seeing all the components there of. From the battle ship to the tug boat, we thoroughly enjoyed the outing. It's an inexpensive visit and the staff are friendly. Ablutions are adequate. The only problem is the turf wars outside by the car guards who sit out in the open and use drugs whilst arguing about who is looking after which car.

Fun to explore. They need to maintain things better and check their safety. Ships are very worn through compared to years back when I was a kid. Unfortunately the gun ship is sinking but we still went on it, there wasn't anything preventing us and we weren't warned not to go there. Not wheel chair friendly.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Well worth the visit. Able to board a steam ship and explore the interior. Also plenty of model ships to view. Audioguides are no longer available/working so unfortunately no useful information at hand while exploring. Close to the Natural Science museum at Town Hall so would recommend visiting both.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This place is such a rich source of history. It can be better maintained. No tour guides to show you around and no card fascilities to pay for entrance. The water in the harbour was full of litter. This place has potential to be a great tourist spot.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

It was a bit disappointing as the one ship has sunk half way and it seems like nothing is being done to fix it. The other two boats is in need of major maintenance because on the other ship you have to walk carefully or you could fall thourgh the deck because of all the rust. Please fix as this was a beautifull place before. More

The museum is quaint but offers a lovely experience. The display showcases incredible history. We did not have to pay on the day we went, due to an issue with the main boat. But the pricing is reasonable, R10 for adults. Staff are very friendly!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

I was heartbroken and so upset to see that they have not bothered to do any maintenance on the ships, the one half of a ship is completely submerged and the they will never get that back. The rest was very educational
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Absolutely amazing experience.. So much to see and kids absolutely adored being able to explore the ships.. The museum with it's models of shops is eye popping.. So much to see that you forget to take photos
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

There is not alot to see but if you appreciate history please come see this. It was great to see how ships in the olden days used to look and all the equipment especially with everything thats run by technology these days. Makes you realize how hard the marines and captains etc used to work on sea

It was lovely bringing our son back here as previously he was too little to fully appreciate it. It was sad though to see that the war ship has deteriorated to the point that it is no longer accessable.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The place is okay to pass an hour or two. Kids will enjoy it. You get to see 2 tugboats and a military ship. Interesting to go into the engine and control rooms. There is a nominal entrance fee. The place can be improved and it will be great if another ship can be added to the "fleet".

Lovely small museum hidden in plain site. You can see the site did had better days in the past but that said, staff were very friendly and it was still amazing to tour the steam tug boats.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

In need for maintenance. The tug and the minesweeper are almost pieces of scrap, probably full of asbestos. Durban port area is not the safest, not to go in this area on your own. Despite all this I enjoyed the visit, but it is not for every one

The SAS Durban has been left to a sorry state rather depressing to look at it is covered with rubbish from the harbor (they can't do much about that) after the repairs it sank and has just been left the wood of the hull is pulling away and

Children r really excited to see different things ,my son is very happy to visit the museum . Ticket price is very less Adult R10 & R5 for children.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

Surprisingly informative and interesting! It's very neat I just wish people would not dump their trash in the water!!! All in all kids who love boats would love this vintage boat because you can walk around on board!

Very cheap and nice tour for the family. Only R10 for entrance, but they close at 4 and they close the gates 15 minutes earlier
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

This place is very educational and it holds great history of boats and ships that were used back in the day. The inside of the boat makes you feel like you've really gone back in time. Totally worth a visit

Amazing experience, lost of history can be felt inside the ship . Nostalgic moments for me. Great experience.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Very clean venue that could use a bit of TLC. For R10/Adult and R5/Child over 6yo it isn't a bad outing...
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Guys well worth the visit for a Small bit of history , small treasures like this to keep our hearts warm
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Free entertainment. Great tour guide and good work out being in a real life navy and pirate ship. Nice lil take way as well. Great view perfect place to get a good view of durban harbour.

Awesome Day at Port Natal Maritime Museum. Entrance Fee is very reasonable. No guided tours. Kids had an amazing time. Definitely will revisit. Only three ships are available for viewing.

Really great experience being able to climb aboard and inside the ships. Interesting history. Good for a family outing. Possibly in need of maintenance as some areas cordoned off. More

Friendly staff, and nice layout, cheap entry just to keep busy for a hour en explore the old ship.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Free entry as one of the ships were not accessible. Overall interesting, kids enjoyed themselves
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Portside museum housing exhibits of local maritime significance as well as early exploration.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The staff is super friendly and this is an experience to have I will definitely go again and take my friends and family with
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Had a blast. Really enjoyed walking inside the tug boat. Explored every nook and cranny.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

More than worth it for the R10 entry at the time, it would be great if more funding could be obtained as a lot of work goes into keeping this exhibit open to the public

Sad the disrepair these historical ships are in. A guided tour would be helpful to explain some of the things. Nevermind the SAS minesweeper sunk and the pollution.

Amezing Love this Museum.. Best Sea View Inside in the Ship It was outstanding There is tourist Guide also he explained properly everything.

Nice place to take the children. Interesting ships and boats that you are free to explore. The problem is it’s a bit small for a museum. But great to visit.

It was sad to se the boats in that state. We couldn't board any ship because the ships are falling apart due to the lack of maintenance. Waist of tine More

Very interesting place with 3 medium ships which are not in use, entry is 10 rand and parking is free, if you pay 25 rand you can have inside parking.

The inside of these ships are amazing and you can go down into the ships to where the engine rooms and stuff are. It was super cool! …

No one to tell you details about the sgio or the helicopter. You walk through the engin room not really knowing what you looking ay.

Very interesting needs a bit of maintenance on some of the exhibits couldn’t go on the tugboat because the bridge was broken

Museum is nice overall but basically everything there was run down, broken and not open to the public. Very sad More

It was beautiful and peaceful. My son really enjoyed his day here. He was so excited to see and go on the ships.

Lovely to visit ☺️ interesting history of Durban and the harbour sadly one of the ships is sinking …

R10 entry and worth the short visit. Severe water pollution around the Vessel... Garbage in the ocean …

Took my 4 year old grandson, had a blast exploring the old wreck and the history was very enlightening

A nice quick visit.... Wish there was more to see. My kid thoroughly enjoyed being on a ship

The ships are not very well maintained. The museum inside was very good and clean.

This place brought back some childhood memories. The guards where so friendly