Dakota Beach

Location Spotlight: Dakota Beach – Bluff

Durban Film Office | Filmmakers’ Location Guide

Where Coastal Wilderness Meets Aviation History

Tucked away on the Bluff’s southeastern shoreline lies Dakota Beach, a hidden treasure offering raw beauty, historical intrigue, and untouched terrain ideal for bold visual storytelling. With panoramic ocean views, dramatic dunes, and fewer crowds than neighboring beaches, Dakota Beach provides the kind of cinematic seclusion every location scout hopes to discover.

Coordinates

📍 GPS Location: 29°56'51.3"S 31°01'33.0"E
Decimal: -29.947583, 31.025833

Why Choose Dakota Beach

🎬 Untamed Visual Drama

• Long stretches of untouched sand bordered by natural dunes, ideal for period films or scenes of isolation and reflection.

• Offers a rugged, off-the-grid atmosphere, perfect for survival dramas, adventure stories, or contemplative pieces.

• Stunning ocean views, especially during sunrise and golden hour.

✈️ Unique Historical Element

• Named after a Douglas DC-3 “Dakota” aircraft that crash-landed in the area in the 1940s, giving the beach a built-in narrative hook and historical depth.

• A subtle aviation legacy ideal for titles exploring time, memory, war, or history.

📍 Natural Ambience

• Expect less foot traffic than nearby Brighton or Anstey’s Beach – making it easier to control the filming environment.

• Flanked by the Bluff Nature Reserve, allowing for B-roll opportunities with birds, wetlands, and indigenous foliage.

🚧 Accessible Yet Remote

• Reached via a scenic coastal drive through the Bluff.

• Parking and access roads suitable for light production vehicles and location recces.

Ideal For

• Music videos requiring natural yet edgy terrain

• Sci-fi or fantasy sequences with barren beachscapes

• Historical or post-war period pieces

• Drama or character-driven stories needing reflective, remote settings

• Nature documentaries capturing unspoiled coastline and marine life

Quick Facts

• Location: Bluff, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

• Distance from CBD: ±25 minutes

• Nearby Facilities: Limited (recommended to bring mobile base setup)

• Permit Required: Yes – through Durban Film Office

• Best Time to Shoot: Early morning or late afternoon for optimal lighting and low foot traffic

• Tide Consideration: Low tide reveals dramatic rock pools and reef textures

Explore Dakota Beach

Looking for something that feels wild, timeless, and story-rich? Dakota Beach offers a setting that speaks louder than words – a natural stage for your next powerful scene.

Contact the Durban Film Office for access, permits, and location recces.