St Lucia is situated in KwaZulu Natal – South Africa – and is a traveller’s dream. It remains magnificent and wild, with Hippo’s roaming the streets at night. It is tucked in between the Indian Ocean and the St. Lucia Estuary, and could almost be described as being on an island, as it is the only private town in the world that is completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site.
Tropical weather is experienced all year round where one can enjoy warm swimming conditions in the Indian Ocean currents (with relatively stable sea temperatures averaging 21°C).
KwaZulu-Natal is famous for its outdoor activities, beaches, natural environment, sporting events and a variety of adventure activities. It is also known for the Zulu’s, who are a sociable nation with numerous customs and cultures. The landscape is dominated by sugar-cane plantations along the Indian Ocean coastal belt, with bush and incredible views of the ocean. The infrastructure within KwaZulu Natal is very good and the roads are of the best in South Africa.
St Lucia serves as a great base to explore the entire area of this World Heritage Site and its surrounds, as we are on the doorstep of The Hluhluwe and Imfolozi Game Reserve that is famous for The Big Five.
St Lucia was previously known as a small fishing town which was extremely popular with the local South African’s. That all changed since its inception as a world heritage site in 1999 by UNESCO, as it fast become one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
It is safe to go walking, jogging and cycling around St Lucia as you have the Estuary and Dune Forest to explore. You can also just relax, swim, snorkel and soak up the sun on our pristine beaches which stretches as far as the eye can see.
The town has all the necessary facilities centrally placed to make your stay comfortable and pleasant. There are many restaurants to pick and choose from, supermarket’s, filling stations, beach and fishing tackle shops, hairdresser, post office, a local chemist and doctor – for any emergency stops, and not to forger our popular local fruit, vegetable and craft Market that is managed by our local Zulu woman.
St Lucia is a magical place that we like to call Heaven, and it offers you so much – that this will too become one of your treasured destination’s in South Africa.
Activities In and Around St Lucia
We work along with tour operators in St Lucia, which means that we will gladly arrange any tours and activity on your behalf as a complementary service.
All rates of activities and tours is the tour operators specific rates; and payments can be made directly with the tour operator or with us.
BIG 5 HLUHLUWE / IMFOLOZI GAME DRIVE SAFARI
You have a choice of a full day or half day excursion through this Big Five Reserve. This reserve is one of the oldest game reserves in Africa where Zulu Kings such as Shaka and Dingiswayo hunted and put in place the first conservation laws that the “big five” can stalk the verdant savannah. This Park is renowned for its efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction.
ISIMANGALISO / CAPE VIDAL TOUR
This is a unique bush and beach guided tour through the Wetland Park in an open game viewer vehicle. As you drive through the park, you have the possibility of seeing many animals such as Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Antelopes, Warthogs and many bird and buck species as well etc. You will end up at Cape Vidal which is a captivating beach where you are able to swim and snorkel in the attractive warm Indian Ocean. This trip includes an ecological overview of the park as well as short walks
ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK GAME DRIVE
This is drive through the World Heritage Park, where you have the opportunity to spot four of the Big Five (Excluding Lions). Chameleons abound, and the endemic Sitara’s Dwarf Chameleon is a rare treat. You have an option of going on a sunset drive or night drive.
HIPPO & CROCODILE BOAT CRUISE
This is an unforgettable 2-hour cruise on The Lake St Lucia Estuary in search of crocodiles, hippo and bird-life. One can buy drinks and snacks abroad; while listening to stories and information from the well-informed and qualified Skipper. There are four different time slots in which you can take this trip, ranging from an early morning cruise up until a sunset cruise on the Estuary. Click here to book this tour with Shoreline Boat Safaris.
WHALE WATCHING
This is a weather permitting seasonal tour that only operates from mid-May to mid-December. This tour is approximately 2 hours where you can to see the 40-ton Humpback Whales up close and personal, as well as other sea creatures such as turtles; sharks; and dolphins. You have the choice of doing a sea launch from St Lucia (Children under the age of 13 aren’t allowed); otherwise they will drive you to Richardsbay where you will do a harbour launch.
TURTLE TOURS
This is a seasonal tour that operates from the beginning of November to the end of February. This trip is always done at night (mostly at midnight). It includes a night drive en-route to the beach, a picnic dinner and refreshment’s. This trip allows you to experience the miracle of the leatherback turtle (weighing up to 900kg) as well as the loggerhead turtles reproduction cycle. You will see for yourself the journey in which these ancient reptiles go through, as they dodge sharks and humans, crabs, badgers, jackals on shore, to return to and hatch on our nesting grounds.
CULTURAL TOUR
This is an excellent tour if you want to experience this highly rich and diverse Zulu Warrior Culture and History. A few things your will witness on this tour is the Traditional Healer, watch traditional Zulu dancing, visit homesteads and Kraals, view beautiful beadwork, arts and crafts.
HORSE RIDING
Enjoy a ride on the back of a horse along your choice of the beach in St Lucia or a game ride in the Eastern Shores. A combined trip is available on request. You will be accompanied by qualified riders at all times.
DEEP SEA FISHING
This is always an early morning trip (approximately starting between 5:00am – 06:00am). This is a 6 -7-hour trip that provides you with all the bait and tackle to catch your own fish. You get to keep whatever you catch.
BIRDING / WALKING / HIKING TRAIL
There are more than 520 bird species that have been identified in the St Lucia area (which is more than half of South Africa’s total bird count). There are experienced guided birding trails that are available for the enthusiasts; that start early in the morning.
SNORKELLING
This is a unique tour, where you do a self-drive to Cape Vidal to meet your guide which is a married couple with over 15 years of snorkelling experience. They will start with a pre-briefing, introduction to snorkelling and a look through a fish ID-book. You will be in the water for 1 – 1.5 hours, as they guide you around safely pointing out species of interest. All equipment is provided.
CYCLING
Hire a bicycle so that you can explore the beauty of St Lucia Town; and small parts of the Eastern Shore at your own leisure. You are able to ride a bicycle into the first cattle grid in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where you are able to enjoy the scenic surrounds. This is a great way for you and your family to bond and spend time with each other while exploring St Lucia Town, getting close to nature, taking lots of photos and having fun at the same time.
CROCODILE CENTRE
This Local Crocodile Centre offers an exciting and informative outing for visitors. A series of displays depict the Lake St Lucia system from the sea, the beach, dune forests, grasslands, to the lake shore. Informative crocodile exhibits portray the lives of these fascinating reptiles. All the African species of crocodile can be seen, namely the Nile crocodile, Long-snouted crocodile and the Dwarf crocodile. Some of the largest crocodiles in the country can be found at the Croc Centre. It has a unique Cycad Garden, a curio shop and a large variety of birdlife (including the illlusive palmnut vulture). Crocodile feeding for public demonstration does takes place on Saturday afternoons.
GOLF
This popular golf club is situated 16km out of St Lucia in Monzi. It lies on a sugar cane estate and boasts a beautiful 9-hole course with a club house that serves food and drinks.
SCUBA DIVING
This activity can only be done in Sodwana Bay (approximately a 2-hour drive from St Lucia) and it offers some of the best reef diving in Southern Africa and is easily accessible as a self-drive, or transfers can be arranged on request. Affordable recreational scuba diving and dive courses are offered here, which is suitable for beginner to advanced divers. There is a impressive number of marine species found in this marine reserve, the reefs are a photographer’s dream.