Herewith is a comprehensive list of What To Do while in St Lucia South Africa, hope to see you soon. It's a magical and magnificent place to visit let's make 2024-25 a super one.
Quaint and small this unique little town has so much to offer, miles of pristine beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. The following list indicates all the various outings that one may do while in the area of St Lucia, South Africa.
Before you Arrive
St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park was officially awarded Word Heritage status in 1999 by Unesco. The area has since grown into one of the most iconic areas to visit both for local and international travelers. Travelers from around the globe visit in mere admiration being in awe being able to witness the bounty of Hippos that roam freely in and around St Lucia.
With an estimated 800 Hippos 1200 Nile Crocodiles, pristine beaches, birdlife, and wildlife you too may be in for an astonishing treat. Being surrounded by water on the eastern and western sides St Lucia has an almost island-like feel. With its tropical weather year-round lapping palms and magnificent African sunsets.
St Lucia is situated in the North-Western side of KwaZulu Natal a mere 2.5 hrs North of Durban. Access by the national N2 toll road makes for easy access.
Closest airports include
Richards Bay airport +/- 45-minute drive
King Shaka Airport Durban +/- 2,5 hr drive
St Lucia has an estimated permanent population of approximately 1000 residents. The entire residential area is within walking distance to town. Driving down any one of the streets one may be surprised to see the amount of bed and breakfasts, lodges, and other styles of accommodation on offer.
The town has all of the needed amenities shops and restaurants it is definitely worth your while to take a stroll to the local fruit market and enjoy some local treats.
St Lucia South Africa What to Do 2024-25
Arriving in St Lucia
Before crossing the St Lucia Estuary bridge take the time to park in the allocated parking lot and head on over to the bridge and be welcomed by the Hippos as they play or grunt below. This is one of the numerous areas where you will be afforded the amazing opportunity of witnessing these incredible animals.
Welcome to St Lucia.
St Lucia South Africa What to Do 2024
Getting around St Lucia
St Lucia is easily navigated with only one main street (Mckenzie Street) don't be too surprised to see Hippos on the main road. From town, it's a plus-minus 2km to the beach.
One may also enjoy a hike to the beach from town and then enjoy the boardwalk back into town from the beachside.
Walking along the boardwalk offers one some interesting sights and sounds as it hugs the Estuary from where Hippos and Crocs may be seen. Please Do Remain on the Boardwalk, please.
Prior to the Boardwalk one may enjoy a meal at the St Lucia Ski Boat Club which is open to the public. The club offers an array of scrumptious meals including some authentic curries.
Opposite the ski boat club is the Sugar Loaf Campsite which has to be one of the very best campsites in KwaZulu Natal. Continuing on from the club towards the Boardwalk is the Sugarloaf Market with some pretty cool wares and crafts.
The Boardwalk is a short hike and well worth it. Hear the Hippos grunting and the rolling waves hit the beach.
St Lucia South Africa What to Do
Top St Lucia Attractions
It should be no surprise that it's all about the wildlife and unparalleled scenery, be it hikes along the beach or one of the numerous walking trails, enjoying an estuary hippo tour, or traveling through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Without a doubt, the number 1 top attraction has to be the Hippo & Croc Boat Tours, these two hour-long trips take you along the Estuary where you will have the opportunity to witness the local residents.
Pre-bookings are essential we have left a link further done in this article for you. Alternatively enjoy a day trip into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with its abundance of wildlife, hides, look-outs, and pans. Enjoy Cape Vidal where you may snorkel in a protected bay. (Please only do so when it is low tide please)
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is a mere 45 minutes from St Lucia and offers the African Big 5. This 96000-hectare park is the oldest proclaimed park in Africa and absolutely worth the visit.
2 Hour Boat Trips depart daily, these trips take place on the St Lucia Estuary one of the largest in Africa. Hippo sightings are Guaranteed.
Without a doubt the Hippo Boat Trips are the most popular activities to enjoy while in the area. With an estimated population of 800 Hippos and 1200 Nile Crocodiles you are in for a super treat. It is advisable to take a light jacket along, camera and binoculars if possible. Due to popularity one should pre book your outing. Their are two jetties from which the boat cruises depart from and are namely the Siyabonga and Sunset Jetty.
Have you Booked you're Hippo Boat Cruise Yet? R380 p/p for 2 hrs
Two trails are available in and around St Lucia, namely the Igwalagwala Birding trail and Iphiva Hiking Trail.
Please note that both hiking trails are open to the public. One may enjoy them at anytime and at ones own pace. Organized tour may be arranged. A shorter hike namely the St Lucia Boardwalk may also be enjoyed and is situated just after the St Lucia Ski Boat Club. The boardwalk meanders along the Estuary and is a easy hike which ends at the beach.
What a better way to experience a superb day out in the bush and on the estuary.
This is an organized tour (Heritage Tours & Safaris), and includes a Half-Day Big 5 Safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and a late afternoon Hippo Boat Cruise. A unique and exciting outing to say the least.
Numerous deep-sea charters are available in St Lucia, game fishing only.
Deep Sea Fishing from St Lucia offers one the chance to bag some game fish, numerous concessioners operate from the area. Please note that this is a surf launch and that a fishing permit is required.
Unspoiled beaches as far as the eye can see.
Not only may one enjoy the numerous beaches along St Lucia but also enjoy Cape Vidal and Mission Rocks beaches.
One of the largest estuarine systems in Southern Africa, this estuary is home to more than 800 Hippos, 1200 Nile Crocodiles, and an abundance of Birdlife. It's the ideal area from which to enjoy the glorious wildlife.
Why not take a stroll along the St Lucia beach towards Maphelane Beach for a super day of snorkeling and fishing, (please note that this is only possible when the mouth is closed).
Enjoy traditional Zulu dancing and much more.
Witness and enjoy the local Zulu dancers from Khula Village.
Numerous options available and incredible scenery guaranteed.
Ready to navigate and explore St Lucia? opt for either a rental or an organized tour of the town and surrounding areas of St Lucia.
For some incredible Birding Tours why not join us and discover St Lucia.
For more information, please call +27 35 5901386
For more information, please call +27 35 5901386
Deep Sea Fishing charters from St Lucia, please note that this is only game fishing.
- +27 35 5901229 Astrix Charters
- +27 35 5901232 Maverick Charters
- 084 628 1162 Wave Dancer Charters
Have a chance to witness the mighty Humpback Whales as they migrate past the shores of St Lucia.
Enjoy 2 Markets where one may enjoy either tropical fruit or locally crafted curios. Situated on the main road of St Lucia. Or head down towards the estuary (Ski Boat Club) and you will come across the Sugar Loaf Curio Market with some interesting and fascinating locally-made curios.
Why not enjoy the best that the area has to offer on this half-day Big 5 Safari and then a Late afternoon Hippo Boat Cruise?
Situated on the main road (Mckenzie Street), drop by as each day local fresh tropical fruit is available. One can also find some incredible local curios.
Buy Original Art by local artists or enjoy art and craft activities. Light Refreshments are available. 174 McKenzie St 3936 Saint Lucia, South Africa
St Lucia South Africa What to Do & Where to Stay
You are sure in for a treat when it comes to Accommodation styles and types. For a comprehensive list of accommodation providers please CLICK HERE.
Looking for some amazing camping options while in the area of St Lucia? Why not have a look at the following campsites.
St Lucia South Africa What to Do & Parks
Two parks surround St Lucia, namely iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Western, and Eastern Shores.. The park is enormous in size and is divided into two separate parks namely the Western Shores and Eastern Shores.
Prior to arrival in St Lucia, one will pass the Dukuduku Gate which is the access to the Western Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Once in St Lucia, one can access the Eastern Shores by taking McKenzie Street (St Lucia's main road) to the entrance of the Eastern Shores.
The two parks are separated by the St Lucia Estuary home to approximately 800 Hippos the largest population of Hippos in South Africa and 1200 Nile Crocodiles. The area was proclaimed a world heritage site in 1999 by Unesco and is officially the first heritage site in South Africa.
The Eastern shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park is accessed by traveling down McKenzie street (St Lucia main Road) in a Northerly direction. Travel plus-minus 2 km and one will arrive at the gate. Gate times do vary according to season. From the gate to Cape Vidal 34 km and the speed limit is 40 km/h.
There are numerous loop roads, hides, and picnic areas with the park. This is a Big 3 Park (Leopard, Buffalo, and Rhino).
Half or Full Day Safari trips to Cape Vidal, game viewing en route to Cape Vidal. South Africa's first world heritage site.
- Full Day Trips (includes game viewing & snorkeling)
- Half Day Trips (includes game viewing & snorkeling)
A wonderful and delightful way to explore and discover the bush at night. Hear the bush come alive.
The perfect way to end any day while in Africa.
Deep Sea Fishing charters from St Lucia, please note that this is only game fish fishing.
Deep Sea Fishing charters from St Lucia, please note that this is only game fish fishing.
Pleasant fishing conditions exist in Cape Vidal for some rock & surf fishing. One however has to have a fishing permit please obtain these from the St Lucia Post office proof of I.d is required.
Contact No: +27 35 5901022
St Lucia South Africa What to Do
St Lucia South Africa offers you an incredible amount of activities and things to do in the area, if you are a nature lover then this is the place to be. What to do in the area then well let's first start on the safari activities
St Lucia South Africa What to Do list Bush Only Activities:
- Full-Day Bush & Beach Excursion to Cape Vidal South Africa's very first world heritage site
- Half-Day Bush & Beach Excursion to Cape Vidal
- Night Drive Safaris
- Guided walking trails
- Guided birding trails
St Lucia South Africa What to Do list Water Only Activities:
- Hippo & Croc Boat Cruises
- Whale Watching
- Turtle Viewing
- Snorkeling Trips
- Game Fishing Trips
- Rock & Surf Fishing
Zulu Cultural tours and the list just goes on and on. This small village situated a mere 2,5 hours north of Durban offers you a splendid stopover while in Zululand South Africa.
Unesco deemed the area a world heritage site in 1999 and ever since the area has grown in popularity due to its uniqueness and splendid beauty. It's a wildlife paradise where one till this day can witness Hippo's grazing in town at night all within the residential areas, they too are often seen walking down the main street of St Lucia.
The area is known for its wildlife and this is still true, Leopards are occasionally seen in town as well. Listen to the calls of the bush babies on your doorsteps or see Duiker, monkeys, and much more from your accommodation no matter where you are staying in St Lucia.
Heritage Tours and Safaris would like to invite you on a spectacular outing while in the area, they have fast become the top safari specialist company in the area and offer the largest safari option list in the area, this contributes to the fact that they do not subcontract any outings and therefore offer you the very best pricing. The company was established in 2003 and to date is rated as no 1 on TripAdvisor.
St Lucia beach is warm and tropical year-round due to the warm Indian Ocean currents, during the winter months, one may encounter whales breaching from the beach what a sight, and then as we approach the summer months one may see Turtles laying their eggs on the Cape Vidal beach. The beaches are clean and safe, please do take care of the currents during bathing.
St Lucia South Africa What to do at Night
The town offers a host of restaurants in the area from Italian to famous South African branded names. Before setting off home after your meal why not take a drive around town in search of the Hippos.
- Alfredos Italian restaurant +27 35 590 1150
- Reef & Dune pizzas and Sea Food +27 35 590 1048
- John Dorries +27 35 590 2115
- Wimpy +27 35 590 2173
- Ocean Basket
- Brazza +27 35 590 1241
So if you are looking for something to do and looking for a magical place then St Lucia has what you are looking for.
St Lucia South Africa What to Do
