Are you on the lookout for one of the best issues to do in St Lucia? Listed here are my suggestions.
Tucked away within the northern area of KwaZulu-Natal, throughout the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the small city of St Lucia serves because the gateway to exploring this ecological wonderland. Round 240km from Durban, it’s a charming city the place hippos roam the streets, vervet monkeys swing from the timber, bushbuck peek from the shrubs, and dung beetles have proper of means.
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 1 Hippo at the hotel swimming pool in St Lucia](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/54731902_130192934727996_2671051955979057057_n-001.jpg)
Hippo on the resort swimming pool
Surrounded by pure magnificence, St Lucia has quite a lot of actions for nature lovers and journey seekers, and the city will be explored by automobile, by bicycle, on foot, or on horseback. We’ve been there a number of instances and really feel that it’s a must-visit city in South Africa.
Listed here are the 11 finest issues to do in St Lucia
1. Discover iSimangaliso Wetland Park
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 2 Birds in iSimangaliso Wetland Park](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0006.jpg)
Birds in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Overlaying about 332,000 hectares, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage website and a treasure trove of biodiversity. The park incorporates a variety of ecosystems from dunes and forests to wetlands and coral reefs. You may spend days exploring this ecological surprise, both on self-guided drives or through guided excursions.
Noteworthy spots throughout the park embrace Lake St Lucia, Cape Vidal, Kosi Bay and the Jap and Western Shores, the place you may spot wildlife on a safari.
2. Go on a Boat Cruise
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 3 St Lucia South Africa](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/aIMG_3129-001.jpg)
Hippos in Lake St Lucia
Probably the most standard actions in St Lucia is taking a ship cruise alongside the winding waterways and lakes that make up the St Lucia estuary system. Look out for the resident hippo pods bobbing within the water and crocodiles basking on the sandy shores. The boat guides will share details in regards to the space’s wealthy ecosystems as you glide previous mangrove forests and spot a kaleidoscope of birdlife. These cruises usually final about two hours and are each academic and entertaining. Ebook your cruise forward of time to keep away from disappointment.
Tip: Take a late afternoon cruise to be able to benefit from the sundown views over the water too.
3. Benefit from the Seashores
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 4 St Lucia South Africa](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/aIMG_3061.jpg)
St Lucia seaside
The seashores close to St Lucia are comparatively untouched and supply peace and tranquillity. The principle St Lucia Estuary Seaside is accessible through a wood walkways and is a soothing spot to take in the solar (though it isn’t nice for swimming). Alternatively, you may head to the picturesque Cape Vidal seaside a bit additional north to swim. Nevertheless, at all times heed native recommendation concerning security for swimming, as wildlife is considerable in these waters (particularly hippos, crocodiles and sharks).
4. Go to Cape Vidal
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 5 Expansive beach](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5545.jpg)
Cape Vidal seaside
Cape Vidal has a singular mix of marine and wildlife experiences, together with snorkelling, fishing, and sport viewing. It is an amazing place to expertise each the bush and seaside in a single picturesque location as you drive by way of the sport reserve to get to the seashores. We noticed elephants, rhinos, buffalos, zebras and myriad birds on our sport drive, and stopped at each Mission Rocks seaside and Cape Vidal seaside.
Snorkellers can witness the underwater world of coral reefs teeming with vibrant fish and may see the remnants of the Dorothea ship which was wrecked in 1898, and was believed to be carrying a cargo of stolen gold. After snorkelling and swimming in Cape Vidal, you may get pleasure from a braai there too.
5. Take a hike
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 6 Beware of wildlife sign in St Lucia](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3078.jpg)
Watch out for wildlife signal
St Lucia has a number of climbing and strolling trails the place you may admire its scenic magnificence at your personal tempo. The Igwalagwala Path is comparatively straightforward and you’ll spot loads of chook species, whereas the Iphiva Strolling Path presents wildlife and bird-watching. For extra rigorous hikes, the paths within the surrounding iSimangaliso Wetland Park present tougher terrain and spectacular views.
6. Go to native markets
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 7 Beachside craft vendors in St Lucia](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_3030.jpg)
Beachside craft distributors
A lot of the retailers and eating places in St Lucia are positioned alongside the principle highway. You may decide up distinctive crafts, artwork items, and souvenirs made by native artisans on the market on the finish of McKenzie Road or on the beachside distributors. It’s a good way to assist the native financial system and take a chunk of your travels residence with you.
7. Take a guided evening drive
For a unique perspective on wildlife, take a guided evening drive with spotlights by way of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The darkness brings out a unique set of creatures, from nocturnal birds to elusive predators like leopards and caracals.
8. Expertise a turtle tour
From November to March, the seashores round St Lucia and Cape Vidal develop into nesting grounds for loggerhead and leatherback turtles. Night time excursions to witness these magnificent creatures laying eggs or hatchlings making their first journey to the ocean are actually particular experiences. The excursions are carried out with respect to the animals, guaranteeing minimal disturbance.
9. Take pleasure in whale watching
Between June and November, the waters off St Lucia are bustling with whale exercise. Humpback whales migrate by way of this area and may typically be seen breaching and enjoying within the water. Whale-watching boat excursions can be found too.
10. Go to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 8 Things to do in KwaZulu Natal](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_3210.jpg)
Elephants in Hluhluwe -Imfolozi Park
Established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed sport reserve in Africa. Previous to that, it was the searching floor of Zulu kings like Shaka, in addition to European settlers. Encompassing over 96 000 ha of hilly bushland, the park is a protected wildlife sanctuary with 86 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds, together with the Large 5, cheetahs, and wild canines. It’s world-famous for its rhino conservation initiatives which saved the white rhino from extinction. One can self-drive or go on a guided sport drive right here.
11. Uncover Native Tradition
In between all of your outside adventures, study in regards to the wealthy cultures that form this space too. Organize a tour with a Zulu information to study extra about their traditions and lifestyle, which remains to be preserved in rural communities round St Lucia such because the Nkundusi Village, the place you may see demonstrations of actions like basket weaving, native delicacies, and warrior dancing.
St Lucia’s slower tempo of life makes it a really perfect place to unwind and expertise so many alternative aspects of South Africa’s immense magnificence in a single handy vacation spot, at a leisurely tempo. Go there for a soothing trip.
The place to remain in St Lucia
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Highway signal
Keep at Elephant Lakes Lodge or discover extra lodging choices right here.
Have you ever been there? What are your favorite issues to do in St Lucia?
![11 Best Things to do in St Lucia, South Africa 11 Sara Essop - In Africa and Beyond](https://inafricaandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/LogoNew-orig.jpg)
Sara Essop is a journey blogger and author based mostly in South Africa. She writes about household journey and experiences world wide. Though she has been to 49 international locations so far, she particularly loves showcasing her lovely nation and is an authorized South Africa Specialist.