Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia (Estuary Boat Tour Trips) 2025-26
For the very best Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise Experience in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal Join Shoreline Boat Safaris, Departing every 2 Hours
St Lucia Estuary, KwaZulu Natal, iSimangaliso Wetland Park Hippo Boat Cruises.
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Price R450.00 p/p
Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia - Overview
- Departing from the Siyabonga Jetty every 2 hours
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Boat Capacity: 15 seats per vessel
- Join Us as we travel up one of the largest Estuarine systems in Africa as well as being South Africa's very first World Heritage Site.
- Home to 800 Hippos and approximately 1200 Nile Crocodiles not to mention the abundance of Bird-life.
- Did you know that St Lucia is home to the largest free-roaming population in South Africa?
- Departing from the Siyabonga Jetty we travel in a northerly direction for approximately 9km depending on the weather.
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal
Discover, Witness, and Observe Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, and Hundreds of bird species on our Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise while in St Lucia. This 2-hour Boat Cruise Safari gets you close up to the residents of the estuary.
Travel aboard one of our exclusive 15-seater vessels ( Shoreline 1 & Shoreline 2 Vessels) with experienced and knowledgeable skippers/ rangers. They will undoubtedly answer every question that you might have and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area. Other impressive wildlife that may also be encountered while out on this excursion includes the likes of Elephants, Leopard, WaterBuck, and other smaller wildlife.
Why smaller Vessels are Better
Smaller vessels are versatile, maneuverable and offer a more exclusive outing. With more space to move around and ensure that you capture those incredible moments while out on the St Lucia Estuary.
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia
Skippers / Guides
- All Skippers and Guides have numerous years of experience. Samsa Endorsements as well as Wildlife Certification.
- Ensuring your safety at all times.
What To Bring Along
- Camera, Extra Memory Card
- Binoculars if Possible
- Light Jacket (Wind Breaker)
Our Vessels have the shallowest draft ensuring that you get up close to some magnificent sightings. Ample space offers you enough room to move around freely and stay within earshot of your guide skipper at all times.
This is the official Shoreline Boat Safari.
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia Gallery 2025
Did you know that St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal has the largest population of Hippos in South Africa? For more Hippo Facts & Info
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia
Our Skills & Expertise
Shoreline Boat Safaris was established in 2012 and since has become one of the top favorite Hippo Boat Cruise operators.
The two vessels each carry a total of 15 passengers per vessel. The reason for carrying such a small complement of passengers is service orientated and ensuring superb up-close sightings of Hippos. With enough space to move around freely and most importantly to have a connection with the Skipper / Guide.
These trips are incredibly informative and offer the clients some magnificent insights, facts, and of course, up-close encounters while out on the water.
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Our Customer's Reviews 2025
4 Day's Ago
Fun & Informative
Highly recommend. we did the sunset cruise and it was beautiful. We learned a lot and enjoyed the cruise.
17 July
Informative, Interesting and Relaxing
This is a great way to see a side of South Africa you'll never see from a car. The boats are small enough that you can interact with your guide and they can get in narrow spaces. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and was happy to answer the millions of questions my kids asked. It's a great way to experience life on the river in South Africa - in ways that you'd never see from shore. The crocs and hippos were amazing too. The boat was comfortable and the whole experience was very relaxing. A great deal and worth every penny!
13 July
Hanging with the Heavies
We jumped on the 9.15 boat with Denis, our most able skipper, and tour guide and proceeded to have a most enjoyable 2 hours in the estuarine system hanging with the heavies. The pods of hippos were numerous and we spent a wonderful few hours on the water. Included were a few crocs sunning themselves downside waterway.
Shoreline and heritage tours are the same company - and what I really enjoyed was the small boat which only accommodates 15 guests.
26 June
A highlight of our 2,5 weeks in S.A.
The most knowledgeable guide of all the wildlife excursions/safaris that we have ever been on. He gave us photos and memories that we will cherish forever. The sights of that afternoon will stay with us always.
March
Brialiant Boat Safari
It was an absolutely brilliant bot safari trip, we saw so much wildlife and we were so well informed thanks to our guide Mdu. He gave us the history and story of the whole place and all important surrounding areas. Along with that he was very friendly and just an all round nice person to us and all the people on the boat.
St Lucia Hippo & Croc Cruises – Boat & Experience Comparison
Specs and facilities are operator-published and may change seasonally. Always confirm at booking.
| Operator & Vessel | Seats (approx.) | Deck / Design | Jetty / Departure | Typical Duration & Route | On-board Facilities | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shoreline Boat Safaris Shoreline 1 & 2 (custom pontoon) |
15 (small-group) | Single deck, shallow draft for close approaches | Siyabonga Jetty Departures ~every 2 hours |
~2 hours · ±7–8 km north into the estuary | Open air seating; guided commentary | Photographers, families, guests who prefer small groups and closer positioning |
|
Advantage Tours & Charters Advantage Cruiser (double-deck ferry) |
~80 (large vessel) | Double deck; stable wide platform | Sunset Jetty Frequent daily departures (08:00 trip may require min. 10 pax) |
~2 hours · operator notes ~7 km route | Toilets, cash bar/tuck shop; wheelchair access | Coach groups, guests wanting fixed facilities and upper-deck views |
|
Fannas Hippo & Croc Tours (StLuciaSafaris.com) “Spirit of St Lucia” |
~40 (mid-size) | Passenger ferry style | Sunset Jetty 2-hour tours |
~2 hours on the estuary | Guided commentary | Mixed groups wanting a mid-size crowd and sunset timings |
Frequently asked Questions, St Lucia Hippo Boat Trips
Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia
Skippers & Guides
Dennis
Dennis Roberts Skippers / Guide. His passion and knowledge is impeccable. Loves a great joke and most importantly truly wants you to leave his vessel knowing that you have gained some incredible information while out on his voyage.
Brown
Brown Skipper / Guide. His passion is evident while out on the water. Brown has an incredible sense of humor and is sure to make your trip eventful and enjoyable. Don't forget your cameras, you are about to have some incredible sightings.
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St Lucia offers so much to do and see activities, did you know that the oldest proclaimed game reserve is a mere 45 minutes drive from St Lucia? The Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park is truly a must while in the area. Enjoy numerous Big 5 Safaris.
Where to Find Us
Shoreline Hippo Boat Trips Office is situated on the main road of St Lucia, 57 Mckenzie Street. You are more than welcome to pop in and purchase some Hippo Boat Cruise Tickets.
Meeting Departure Point Siyabonga Jetty
The Siyabonga Jetty is situated just before crossing the Bridge into St Lucia on the left hand side. There is ample complimentary parking on either side of the road. Please if you would be so kind as to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to departure.
Endorsements
