Saint Lucia Estuary
Saint Lucia Estuary
4.5
About
This estuary is part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park and includes fishing, hiking tours, boat tours and a crocodile center. The crocodiles make swimming an ill-advised idea.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
711 reviews
Excellent
418
Very good
231
Average
51
Poor
5
Terrible
6
radhiksmahass
Durban, South Africa2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
It is the worst place that i have ever been to. They are extremely slow and do not give you what is described on the menu. We waited 1 hour 45 minutes for our food after the order was given. The food was served cold with certain food items missing eg. the prawn meal was served without lemon etc. People please do not waste your time and money at this restaurant as they have a serious management issue.
Written 20 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K507OJandrew
Mokopane, South Africa38 contributions
Dec 2020
You probably can't visit St Lucia without doing something related to the estuary. We took the boardwalk to the mouth (we were told it hasn't been open in 18 years due to low rainfall and human interference).Watch out for crocs and hippo, which you might run into! We also did a boat cruise up the estuary, beautiful, but unfortunately ruined by a white T shirt clad party who did not respect the other guests, Covid protocols or the guide trying to share info on the surroundings with us. Their only interest were selfies (is this called self interest?).If you can, enquire about a boat only large enough for your party. Nevertheless the area is breathtaking.
Written 26 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HEIDICORNWALL
CORNWALL9 contributions
Feb 2020
Amazing river cruise..you will see families of Hippos, lone crocs, and many birds. Our guide Brian was extremely knowledgeable and helpful with all of our questions. Make the effort to go on this cruise if you are in this area...you won’t regret it.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mauro Ghilardi
Rome, Italy710 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Great hippo and crock tour in St. Lucia today. We were very lucky and got to see a whole family of 8 individuals with a baby hippo.
The where in the water and then got out just in front of us. Fantastic. We also saw a bunch of birds and some crocodile and iguanas. Fantastic experience. We were all very satisfied and our guide from shakabarkertours was great!
The where in the water and then got out just in front of us. Fantastic. We also saw a bunch of birds and some crocodile and iguanas. Fantastic experience. We were all very satisfied and our guide from shakabarkertours was great!
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KnitsbyConnie
MA504 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
As part of my Gate 1 Tour, we stopped here for some game viewing cruise along the St. Lucia Estuary, home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotami, sea turtles, and even sharks. We did not see any sharks, but we saw crocodiles and plenty of hippos in the water.
The water was brown, and it was a bit hot and humid. The boat crew were pointing out this and that along the shoreline or in water.
The water was brown, and it was a bit hot and humid. The boat crew were pointing out this and that along the shoreline or in water.
Written 16 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dalton H
16 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
It is shocking to see what so called professional conservationist/environmentalists have done to this once beautiful estuary! There are no longer mangroves or even water. The reeds are over head high and an area, usually full of hippos, crocs and birds has been left totally devoid of wildlife. It will take a miracle to fix this mess that they were handsomely paid to make!!! Devastating to see.
Written 12 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chloe
4 contributions
Oct 2020
The estuary boat ride was amazing. It was relaxing, being on the open river and learnt alot from our guides who informed us about the history of the estuary, the animals and what their daily work is like. Highly recommend and definitely worth every penny.
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
atzeverkennis
Rotterdam, The Netherlands111 contributions
Mar 2020
IT's like a twin park, on both sides of the inland lake. You can drive yourself, and lot's of animals. IT's not the big five, there are no lions. But plenty of other wildlife. It's relatively quiet and quite beautiful. Visit the watchtower.
Written 7 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderlust119
San Francisco, CA39 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We spent a couple nights camping at Sugar Loaf in St. Lucia Estuary. The cost was 90 Rand per person per night. The campsite was situated on the water, there were loads of signs saying beware of hippos. There were monkeys in the camp but they didn’t bother us. The campsites came with electricity and the ablution blocks were very well maintained. They had an area for dish washing as well. We had a nice peaceful stay and would recommend the site to anyone!
Written 4 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Belbroughton, UK191 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We arrived at the B&B in St. Lucia and were immediately asked if we wanted to go on a boat tour the following morning. We agreed too quickly and were booked with Advantage. The following day, we arrived at 9.30 and were invited on boat. Captain said that the best view is downstairs on the front starboard (right) side. A few other people arrived and then a couple of minibuses with about 20 people who all went upstairs. When we were due to leave at 10, the Captain said we would be delayed to wait for a few more people. Fifteen minutes later, two coaches arrived with about another 60 people. There was not enough seats and a lot of them stood in front of us. They were talking all the time and the commentary was quiet anyway so could not be heard at all.
The trip itself was good and we saw lots of crocs and hippos but that was not too difficult as they remained in their own area. Ahead of us were a few small boats with only about six people. Unlike our big boat, they were able to get into the creeks and get up close to the animals.
Presumably we turned round early as we arrived back at the same time as the other boats even though they had left fifteen minutes before us. We later checked the prices and Advantage was charging the same price as the smaller boats.
Lesson learnt, book it yourself with the small boats such as Born Free or Nandibarge. Do not let your accommodation book it with Advantage.
The trip itself was good and we saw lots of crocs and hippos but that was not too difficult as they remained in their own area. Ahead of us were a few small boats with only about six people. Unlike our big boat, they were able to get into the creeks and get up close to the animals.
Presumably we turned round early as we arrived back at the same time as the other boats even though they had left fifteen minutes before us. We later checked the prices and Advantage was charging the same price as the smaller boats.
Lesson learnt, book it yourself with the small boats such as Born Free or Nandibarge. Do not let your accommodation book it with Advantage.
Written 25 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi Lecia,
quick question pls, how idd you manage the booking for these activities, did you prebook online, did you get help from a tourism office, did you do it on the spot??
Written 5 March 2019
What kind of tip should I give to the guide(s)? What is considered appropriate?
Written 21 July 2017
Anything is fine but if you can afford it consider the amount of education and dedication of your guide. Tip them well if they if you think they deserve it. We got off of boat a number of people tipped nothing. Because we asked so many questions and received so many answers we felt like we had been with a professional and tipped well. You can watch these programs on television but consider the first hand real time experience with all questions answered and honest "I don't knpws" rather than some B.S. It is a good feeling to reward the sincere environmentalist, naturalist.
Written 22 July 2017
Is the car park secure for the Hippo & Croc boat trips ?
Written 7 August 2016
Most passengers book through the boat trip company and they come and fetch you from your B and B or hotel, so most people did not take a car and park it. From what I recall, there was a parking area with some cars parked in it. I would have happily left my car there if we had not been picked up
Written 7 August 2016
Wondering if it's worth bringing my stand up paddle board with me to St Lucia - ordinary wildlife don't bother me, but not so sure I want to encounter a hippo on an SUP! Any advice anyone?
Written 18 October 2015
The best is to get holed of the Parks Board they will give you the correct answer Thanks
Written 19 October 2015
Hello! We would want to know what is the BEST road (and shortest) to take from Pretoria Gauteng (Elarduspark) to Saint Lucia?
Written 26 March 2015
N4 towards Middleburg, N11 towards Ermelo and N2 towards Pongola, approx 616km's, 6.5 hours. Exit 375 on the N2, turn left into R618 and drive for 25km and arrive at St Lucia.
Written 31 August 2015
Best easiest road from Pretoria Gauteng to Saint Lucia Please?
Written 26 March 2015
Ciao! Ii andrò in sudafrica a fine aprile... dove posso prenotare il battello per la visita all'estuario? Prezzi ed orari? Grazie mille!
Written 27 February 2015
Ciao,
abbiamo fatto l'escursione sull'estuario lo scorso anno ad Agosto e ci è molto piaciuta. Le agenzie private che la propongono sono molte, tra queste mi ricordo la Advantage... ma noi - consigliati in tal senso da amici che vivono a Durban - abbiamo preferito optare per quella che organizza il Parco: meno costosa (155 Rand a persona anziché 180) e si vedono le stesse cose; non ricordo tutti gli orari, noi abbiamo scelto la partenza delle 15,00 con rientro alle 17,30. La prenotazione si può fare anche lo stesso giorno dell'escursione presso l'ufficio del Parco che si trova nella piccola cittadina di S. Lucia.
Buon Sudafrica!
Written 27 February 2015
We are looking for a 4 sleeper chalet/self catering accommodation from the 25th of April to Friday the 1st of May. what would you recommend. in our group we have an avid fisherman and the other 3 are people that like outdoors , and to explore new places , love the wild life
Written 27 January 2015
I would recommand you the Lidiko Lodge in San Lucia. They have a family cottage with all you need for self catering.
Written 11 March 2015
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