It is a race against time for eThekwini city and KwaZulu-Natal officials to clean up the beachfront ahead of the school holidays starting this week.

Durban and the rest of the east coast were battered by huge waves on Monday.

At Durban beachfront, shops were damaged and tons of sand and rubble were deposited on the promenade.

eThekwini Municipality's coastal engineer, Andrew Mather, said the highest astronomical tide (equinox) occurred once in 18,16 years, but in this instance the waves rose as a result of a culmination of environmental factors.

"The equinox tide as well as the effects of a cyclone and strong winds generated higher waves in the already high waters," said Mather.

Clean-up operations started when the tide subsided. Front-end loaders are picking up tons of sand and putting it back on the beach, while sanitation workers are unclogging and fixing drains.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Te Water said the city had started a mop-up operation of the beaches, but it could take months to complete.

"Certain areas have had to remain closed for safety reasons.

"We urge the public to be patient and assist officials by keeping away from the beaches that are still closed. We are determined to have the beaches open in time for the Easter holidays," said Te Water.

Westbrook, La Mercy, Addington, Dunes (Suncoast), Thekwini, Amanzimtoti, Warner Doone, Winkelspruit, Umgababa and South beaches have been opened, but several piers are still closed.

Spokesperson for Durban Africa, Peter Bendheim, said the beaches were "perfectly usable".

"We don't see it as a major tourism problem.