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Richards Bay, South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa
Richards Bay is a large city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa with a population of 252,968. Elevation: 30 ft (9 m). Average temperature: 71°F (22°C).
Data updated June 2026
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About Richards Bay
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.
People
Climate
| Population | 252,968 |
| Population Density | 621 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Coordinates | -28.7830°, 32.0377° |
| Timezone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Country | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
| State / Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Average Temperature | 71°F (22°C) |
| January Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.6 inches (1,157 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
About Richards Bay
Richards Bay is a large city in South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) with a population of 252,968. The city sits at an elevation of 30 feet (9 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 71°F (22°C). Temperatures range from 77°F in January to 64°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.6 inches. The timezone is Africa/Johannesburg.
Climate in Richards Bay
Richards Bay has an average annual temperature of 22.7°C (73°F). The hottest month is Feb (25.8°C), the coldest is Jul (19.5°C). Average annual precipitation is 776 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 70.9°F |
| 31% above South Africa avg | |
| January Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Area | 407.6 sq mi (1,055.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 621/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -28.7830°N, 32.0377°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Johannesburg |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77°F (25°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| February | 77°F (25°C) | 5.5 in | Warmest |
| March | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 73°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in |
Richards Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 64°F in July to 77°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.5") and June the driest (1.7").
Colleges & Universities in Richards Bay
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esikhawini College | College | - | , |
| Owen Sitole College of Agriculture | College | - | , |
| University of Zululand | University | - | , |
| University of Zululand | University | - | , |
| University of Zululand Richards Bay Campus | University | - | , |
Schools in Richards Bay
43 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kati Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Umfolozi Technical college | - | - | - | - |
| John Ross College | - | - | - | - |
| Sitholinhlanhla Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Kiddopark | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Arboretum Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Richardia Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Rock Of Christ Christian School | - | - | - | - |
| Birdswood Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Lizwi High School | - | - | - | - |
| Betesda Independent School | - | - | - | - |
| Siphumelele Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Hoërskool Richardsbaai | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Aquadene Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Floraton Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Bay Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Brackenham Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Christian School | - | - | - | - |
| Veldenvlei Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Betesda Independent School | - | - | - | - |
| Kati Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| John Ross College | - | - | - | - |
| Sitholinhlanhla Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Mzingazi Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Kiddopark | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Arboretum Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Richardia Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Rock Of Christ Christian School | - | - | - | - |
| Birdswood Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Lizwi High School | - | - | - | - |
| Umfolozi Technical college | - | - | - | - |
| Siphumelele Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Hoërskool Richardsbaai | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Aquadene Secondary School | - | - | - | - |
| Floraton Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Bay Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Brackenham Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Richards Bay Christian School | - | - | - | - |
| Veldenvlei Primary School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Richards Bay
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Libraries in Richards Bay
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquadene Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Ntambanana Umtapo Wolwazi Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Richards Bay Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Richards Bay Library | 0.0 |
Hotels in Richards Bay
7 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Richards Bay
16 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Richards Bay
7 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Richards Bay
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Richards Bay
1 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Richards Bay
9 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Richards Bay
3 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Richards Bay
1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Richards Bay
2 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Stadiums & Teams in Richards Bay
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Airports Near Richards Bay
10 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport | ULD | Medium Airport |
| Richards Bay Airport | RCB | Medium Airport |
| Amatikulu (Microlight) Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Empangeni Airport | EMG | Small Airport |
| Eshowe Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Isithebe Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Mubatuba Airport | DUK | Small Airport |
| Ornate Lake - St Lucia Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Riverview Airport | - | Small Airport |
| St Lucia Estuary | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Richards Bay
4 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| DHL | |
| DHL | |
| PostNet | |
| PostNet |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Richards Bay
12 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Eagles Nest Ministries | |
| Eagles Nest Ministries | |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| NG Church | |
| NG Church | |
| Outlook Church | |
| Outlook Church | |
| Richards Bay Baptist Church | |
| Richards Bay Baptist Church | |
| Richards Bay Community Church | |
| Richards Bay Community Church |
Explore Near Richards Bay
Quick Facts
Around Richards Bay
Places within 5 km radius - OpenStreetMap data
Things to See Near Richards Bay
1 places within 15 km
- • Alkantstrand
🇿🇦 About South Africa
Public Holidays in South Africa
12 public holidays this year
Download Full City Report
Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Richards Bay.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Richards Bay
What is the population of Richards Bay?
Richards Bay has a population of 252,968 residents and is located in South Africa. The population density is 621 people per square mile, spread across 407.6 square miles.
What is the weather like in Richards Bay?
Richards Bay has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winter temperatures average 77°F in January, while summers reach an average of 64°F in July. The area receives 253 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 45.6 inches.