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.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
706 reviews
Excellent
416
Very good
229
Average
50
Poor
5
Terrible
6
Guy S
London, UK6 contributions
Jun 2023
We took a sunset cruise on the estuary, and saw loads of crocs, hippos, elephants, a giant water monitor lizard and a shark. It was so good that we took a morning cruise two days later. The bird life is also wonderful, we loved every moment.
Written 4 August 2023
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.
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 Africa39 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.
Ashleen R
Durban, South Africa80 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Was a beautiful experience. Got to see the Hippos, crocs and birds. It's a beautiful view.
It's a must see if you staying at St Lucia.
It's a must see if you staying at St Lucia.
Written 19 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.
Burtonesque
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa30 contributions
Dec 2020
Went on a boat trip with Advantage Tours. Knowledgeable guide and fascinating trip. Hippos and (smallish) crocs. would like to spend more time in the area
Written 5 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.
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.
Sam L
Waterfall, South Africa181 contributions
Sep 2020
A must see with exceptional South African heritage. The boat tour with Shoreline is a must see! take a look around there is something around every corner. Sad to see so many places have had to close due to the lockdown. The local Spar charges very high prices so be aware!!
Written 30 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.
JWMare
Meyerton, South Africa218 contributions
Sep 2020
With an abundance of wild life we enjoyed seeing all the hippos and flamingos from the view points we went to, the beaches is also unspoiled and kept litter free which is we loved. There is still plenty more for us to see and do and will surely be back.
Written 28 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.
Dalton H
7 contributions
Sep 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.
atzeverkennis
Rotterdam, The Netherlands117 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.
Dream163637
2 contributions
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??
Windy Z
Olathe, KS66 contributions
What kind of tip should I give to the guide(s)? What is considered appropriate?
RichardC_49
San Diego, CA38 contributions
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.
153tinker1952
Northampton, UK3 contributions
Is the car park secure for the Hippo & Croc boat trips ?
Jane V
45 contributions
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
janett00
Bath, UK18 contributions
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?
AndreduP1948
Margate, South Africa5 contributions
The best is to get holed of the Parks Board they will give you the correct answer Thanks
Adventuretravelcoach
Pretoria, South Africa129 contributions
Hello! We would want to know what is the BEST road (and shortest) to take from Pretoria Gauteng (Elarduspark) to Saint Lucia?
Inkosana
Durban, South Africa13 contributions
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.
Adventuretravelcoach
Pretoria, South Africa129 contributions
Best easiest road from Pretoria Gauteng to Saint Lucia Please?
Laura F
Pavia, Italy33 contributions
Ciao! Ii andrò in sudafrica a fine aprile... dove posso prenotare il battello per la visita all'estuario? Prezzi ed orari? Grazie mille!
Maria Chiara S
Italy1Â 291 contributions
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!
SandyGauteng
Randburg, South Africa47 contributions
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
thomas a
Rueil-Malmaison, France51 contributions
I would recommand you the Lidiko Lodge in San Lucia. They have a family cottage with all you need for self catering.
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Claim your listingSAINT LUCIA ESTUARY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Lucia Estuary
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Saint Lucia Estuary:
- St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise (From RÂ 401,77)
- Shoreline Hippo and Crocodile Boat Cruises, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (From RÂ 381,68)
- Full Day Isimangaliso Wetlands Game with Boat Cruise From Durban (From RÂ 3Â 295,61)
- Full Day Isimangaliso Wetlands Park -Croc & Hippo &Game Fr Durban (From RÂ 3Â 414,49)
- 2 Day Hluhluwe Game Reserve & Isimangaliso Park from Durban (From RÂ 10Â 183,38)
- Hotels near Saint Lucia Estuary:
- (1.00 km) Kwalucia Private Safari Retreat
- (1.01 km) At Heritage House
- (1.06 km) Santa Lucia Guesthouse
- (1.26 km) St. Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse
- (1.22 km) St. Lucia Hilltop Guest House
- Restaurants near Saint Lucia Estuary:
- (0.55 km) Braza
- (1.02 km) Reef and Dune
- (0.89 km) John Dory's St Lucia
- (0.95 km) Alfredo's Restaurant
- (1.17 km) KAUAI St Lucia
- Attractions near Saint Lucia Estuary:
- (0.67 km) St.lucia Birds & Birding
- (0.72 km) Heritage Tours & Safaris
- (1.00 km) Heritage Day Tours & Safaris
- (1.09 km) St Lucia Birding Tours- Ian Ferreira
- (1.21 km) EuroZulu Guided Tours & Safaris