The town of St Lucia is on the southern tip of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Many visitors use St Lucia as their hub because of its close proximity to many attractions in the area.

Get in

From Durban - follow the N2 northwards passing by Stanger, Empangeni and Richards Bay. After around 250 km turn off the N2 onto the R618 to Mtubatuba. Keep on the R618 and follow the signs to St Lucia - 26 km. You will cross the bridge over the St Lucia estuary. Turn right at the T-Junction into McKenzie Road

From Johannesburg - follow the N2 southwards passing by Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola. After around 600 km turn off the N2 onto the R618 to Mtubatuba. Keep on the R618 and follow the signs to St Lucia - 26 km. You will cross the bridge over the St Lucia estuary. Turn right at the T-Junction into McKenzie Road

Get around

The town is small enough to walk around on foot.

Do

Hippopotamus in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Hippopotamus and Hippo tour boat

• Afrikar - Off-road car self drive experience
• Big 5 Safari - Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park
• Birding - Over 400 species recorded
• Cape Vidal - Renowned for its unspoilt beaches and sport fishing
• Crocodile Centre - Live crocodiles and snake displays
• Estuary Cruise - View hippos and crocodiles on the cruise
• 1 Extreme Nature Tours and Safaris, St Lucia Estuary, ☏ +27 82 257-5612. Turtle tours, swim with dolphins, safaris 
• St Lucia Wetlands - iSimangaliso Wetland Park eco tour
• Horse Riding - Beach or safari horse riding
• Kayak Safari - Kayak amongst hippos and crocs
• Estuary Cruise - View hippos and crocodiles on the cruise
• Safari Night Drive - See the African nocturnal wildlife
• Sport - Golf, bowls, tennis and squash

St Lucia Main Beach

• St Lucia Beaches - Sub-tropical blonde beaches
• Turtle Tour - Leatherback and loggerhead turtle nesting
• Walking Trails - Natural African landscapes and sea shores
• Whale watching - Boat based whale watching
• Zulu Cultural Tour - Khula Zulu village tour
• 2 Heritage Tours & Safaris, St Lucia Estuary, ☏ +27 35 590-1555. Hippo & croc boat cruises, whale watching, big 5 safaris, night drive safaris, snorkelling Cape Vidal, safaris to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, holiday safari packages, day safaris. 

Sleep

• 1 Ingwenya Lodge, 163 Hornbill Str, ☏ +27 82 782-8172. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Self catering holiday accommodation. From R350/unit/day. 
• 2 Zulani Guest House B&B, Flamingo Str, ☏ +27 35 590-1421, stlucia@zulani.co.za. A small, family-run quality four-star guest house. The owners, Gary & June, reside in an adjoining cottage, and are on hand to provide the "personal hospitality". R385 per person sharing, including breakfast. 
• 3 Monzi Safari Lodge (formerly Budget Backpackers), 81 Mckenzie St, ☏ +27 82 627-6208. Good budget accommodation located on the main street. from R175 per person. 
• 4 St. Lucia BiB's International Backpackers. Reported to be in bad condition, with broken lights, dirty rooms, etc. (updated Mar 2016)

Go next

• Cape Vidal