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Water & beach · St Lucia

Top 9 water & beach things to do in St Lucia

Boats, beaches, and the parts of St Lucia you only see from the water. Ferry rides, sunset cruises, snorkel runs, and the occasional sailing day for travellers who measure good cities by their coastline.

  1. Half Day Isimangaliso Hippo and Croc Boat Safari from Durban, St Lucia1

    1. Half Day Isimangaliso Hippo and Croc Boat Safari from Durban

    · 7 hours

    This tour is suitable for solo travelers, families, groups, etc. The close and personal encounters as you watch from your boat gives a unique experience in one of Africa's most biodiverse environments. As you navigate the serene waters, you’ll witness hippos surfacing just meters from the boat and crocodiles stealthily gliding through the water or sunning themselves on the banks. The knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into the behavior and ecology of these animals, making the experience both thrilling and educational. A great tour for all.

  2. St Lucia : Epic Two Parks Explorer, St Lucia2

    2. St Lucia : Epic Two Parks Explorer

    A fantastic flexible option to experience both of KwaZulu-Natal's iconic parks - on one day! You can decide which of the two parks you visit first. Let's start with the oldest park in Africa and the genetic home of all white rhinos alive in the world today - the magnificent Big 5 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Winding along the dirt roads and through the bush you will be treated to a spectacle of fascinating wildlife, from the smallest creatures, bugs and birds to possibly all of the Big 5. It's never a guarantee, but they are out there somewhere! Heading back to St Lucia, you can decide to have lunch at Barraca which may take up some of your iSimangaliso Wetland Park visit or take a stroll through St Lucia and grab a quick bite and some snacks before heading off through the park to the beach at Cape Vidal! Your guide will drop you at your accommodation to freshen up, or he can drop you directly at Barraca for dinner!

  3. iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Half Day Safari & Surf, St Lucia3

    3. iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Half Day Safari & Surf

    iSimangaliso - as the name so aptly translates from the local Zulu language means "Place of miracle or wonder". Home to about 800 hippos and 1200 Nile crocodiles inhabiting the estuary systems thoughout the park. The natural diversity of animal, plant and birdlife is simply mind-blowing. South Africa's first declared UNESCO World Heritage Site for Nature in 1999 and has 4 proclaimed RAMSAR Sites in the park boundry. This extensive wilderness runs 220km along the coast from Maphelane, just south of St Lucia to the border with Mozambique at Kosi Bay Mouth. From St Lucia we can only venture 30km into the park to the beautiful beach at Cape Vidal where you can explore the rock pools, miles of unspoilt beach and the warm Indian Ocean. The "wow" factor making a visit to iSimangaliso is that you have a safari experience all the way to the beach and then have second safari on your way out of the park again! A truly unique, once in a lifetime safari experience!

  1. St Lucia : Epic Explorer - Surf and Sunset Cruise, St Lucia4

    4. St Lucia : Epic Explorer - Surf and Sunset Cruise

    · 12 hours

    Your safari day is split into 2 halves exploring this magnificent park. The morning will take you through to Cape Vidal beach in an open safari vehicle. This section of the park, the "Eastern Shores" is a spectacular wildlife experience with 4 of Africa's "Big 5" roaming the bush. Arriving for a sunrise coffee & rusks and a light pre-packed breakfast before exploring the most pristine, unspoiled beaches you'll find anywhere! Leaving Cape Vidal you wild your way back to St Lucia for lunch along the same route you came in on. One of the unique features of visiting here is that you get a second chance to search the bush for wildlife! In reality a double safari experience with a beach break in the middle for lunch in St Lucia for your account. Now you see the park you've driven through in the morning from a completely different perspective as you glide past hippo pods and nile crocodiles to end the day.

  2. Whale Watching Boat Tour in St Lucia South Africa, St Lucia5

    5. Whale Watching Boat Tour in St Lucia South Africa

    · 3 hours

    Our whale watching experience stands out through a combination of professionalism, compliance, and authentic ocean adventure. We are fully licensed boat-based whale watching operators, adhering strictly to marine conservation and approach regulations to ensure responsible and sustainable wildlife encounters. In St Lucia, the experience includes an exhilarating surf launch directly from the beach, adding a sense of adventure before heading into open ocean waters where whales migrate close to shore. Our experienced skippers and qualified marine guides offer informative, engaging commentary, ensuring the experience is both educational and memorable. We operate purpose-built vessels designed for safety, comfort, and optimal viewing. Above all, we focus on delivering a respectful, conservation-driven marine experience that prioritises both guest safety and the protection of these magnificent animals.

  3. St Lucia : Epic Explorer - Safari and Sunset Cruise, St Lucia6

    6. St Lucia : Epic Explorer - Safari and Sunset Cruise

    · 12 hours

    We start early morning to the world renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park! 96000 hectares of inspoilt wilderness, rolling hills, ever changing landscapes open savanna and of of course unending wildlife viewing, including the renowned African "Big 5"...But the aprk offer real nature lovers such incredible diversity and your guide will point out some of the lesser, yet equally as facsinating creatures that all together create dynamic habitat. After enjoying a sunrise coffee & rusks with your pre-packed breakfast, you weave through the park towards the exit and a drive to Barraca Restaurant in St Lucia for lunch... After a relaxed lunch your will be driven to Siyabonga Jetty where your Shoreline Sunset Boat Cruise will start from. You now get a chance to see the magnificent iSimangaliso Wetland Park from a very different perspective as you glide past hippo pods and nile crocodiles relaxing and unwinding at the end of an exhilirating day and an African Sunset over the bush!

  4. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in St Lucia Estuary Kwazulu Natal, St Lucia7

    7. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in St Lucia Estuary Kwazulu Natal

    · 2 hours

    Experience one of South Africa’s most wildlife-rich estuaries from the comfort of a spacious double-deck cruise boat. This guided boat safari takes you deep into the breathtaking waters of the St Lucia. Led by knowledgeable local guides, the cruise offers fascinating insights into the estuary’s unique ecosystem while bringing you up close to some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife. Watch pods of hippos surface just meters from the boat, spot Nile crocodiles basking on the riverbanks, and keep your camera ready for the incredible birdlife that calls this wetland home. The relaxed pace of the cruise allows plenty of time for photography and wildlife viewing, while the elevated deck ensures unobstructed panoramic views of the estuary’s lush surroundings. With experienced skippers who know the waterways intimately, every trip offers excellent opportunities for sightings.

  5. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in Saint Lucia with collection, St Lucia8

    8. Hippo and Croc Boat Cruise in Saint Lucia with collection

    4.8· 148 reviews· 2 hours

    Kian Barker will be your guide as you explore the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park and surrounds. Kian is a passionate and knowledgable raconteur with many years of experience under his belt.

  6. Shoreline Hippo and Crocodile Boat Cruises, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia9

    9. Shoreline Hippo and Crocodile Boat Cruises, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

    4.7· 313 reviews· 2 hours

    Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise St Lucia: Discover, Witness and Observe Hippo's, 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 vessel's ( Shoreline 1 & Shoreline 2) with experienced and knowledgeable skipper's/ rangers. They will undoubtedly answer every question that you might have, and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area.

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