St Lucia is the busiest base on the Elephant Coast, and for good reason: within half an hour of town you can be on a boat between hippos, snorkelling a reef-protected bay, watching a turtle come ashore or driving past elephant and rhino. Here are the St Lucia activities worth planning your stay around, with the time of year each one is at its best.
Hippo and croc boat cruise on the estuary
The St Lucia estuary has one of the largest hippo populations in South Africa, along with Nile crocodiles, pelicans and fish eagles. A hippo and croc cruise is the classic first activity and works for every age. Morning cruises are cooler; the sunset cruise is the most popular and books out in school holidays.
Cape Vidal beach and snorkelling
Cape Vidal lies about 30 km north of town through the iSimangaliso Eastern Shores, a scenic drive with a good chance of seeing buffalo, kudu, rhino and elephant on the way. The bay is sheltered by an offshore reef, so at low tide it is one of the best places for beginner snorkelling on the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Turtle tours (November to March)
Loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest on the beaches of iSimangaliso every summer. Licensed guided night tours drive the beach looking for nesting females in November to January and for hatchlings heading to sea from January to March. Only permitted operators may drive the beach at night, so this is always a booked tour.
Whale watching (June to November)
Humpback whales pass the coast on their annual migration, with the best months usually July to October. Licensed boat-based whale watching runs from St Lucia, and whales are often seen from the shore at Cape Vidal and Mission Rocks too.
Night drives and game drives
Private vehicles must be out of the Eastern Shores by gate closing, so a guided night drive is the way to look for nocturnal animals such as bushbabies, genets, hyena and hippos grazing out of the water. By day, guided open-vehicle game drives cover the Eastern Shores or go further afield to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi day trips
Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve is roughly an hour's drive from St Lucia, which makes a full-day Big Five safari easy to add to a coastal stay. Go self-drive or join a guided day trip in an open safari vehicle.
Birding, walks and the town itself
St Lucia is a top birding destination, with forest, wetland and coastal species close together. There are short walking trails near town, a crocodile centre, restaurants and craft markets, and hippos often wander the streets after dark, so drive slowly at night.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in St Lucia?
Two full days covers a boat cruise, Cape Vidal and an Eastern Shores game drive. Add a third day for a Hluhluwe-iMfolozi safari, or for a turtle tour or whale watching trip in season.
Is St Lucia safe for families?
Yes, St Lucia is a popular family holiday town. The main things to respect are the wildlife: hippos and crocodiles live in the estuary and hippos walk through town at night, so never approach them and don't swim in the estuary.
Can you swim at St Lucia?
Don't swim in the estuary because of crocodiles and hippos. For swimming and snorkelling, go to Cape Vidal, where the bay is sheltered by a reef, and always follow lifeguard and park signage.
When is the best time to visit St Lucia?
St Lucia is good all year. November to March brings turtle season and lush scenery; June to November brings humpback whales and drier, cooler weather that is good for game viewing.
Book things to do in st lucia and a place to stay
Find tour operators, lodges and self-catering near St Lucia in the Route22 directory, or tell local businesses your dates and let them come to you.
