Top 14 Things To Do In St Lucia, South Africa - Updated 2024

Rienz Althron
Rienz Althron 
Updated
| 7 min read

If you’ve been wanting to visit St. Lucia, South Africa, you’re in the right place because we are going to talk about some of the places where you can experience the best of the village in the heart of Umkhanyakude District of the KwaZulu-Natal province. If you are innately a nature lover, there are a ton of places that you’ll be happy to visit, such as the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, Emoyeni Trail, and the Igwala Gwala Forest Trail. We will also share with you some of the best restaurants to taste the local delicacies and some of the best tours that we recommend that you join. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s not delay this any further, time to scroll down a bit and check out the things to do in St Lucia, South Africa.

1. Explore the South African sea on a snorkeling adventure (from USD 23.0)

St. Lucia, South Africa, isn’t just all forests and grasslands and wetlands, it is also home to some of the most beautiful snorkeling spots! If you’d like to see its underwater creatures, you may want to join the Cape Vidal Snorkeling Adventure tour! You’ll have the opportunity to swim with the creatures of the deep blue sea, such as sea turtles, different species of fishes, and the beautiful coral reefs. After your snorkeling adventure, you will also be greeted by a warm cup of coffee or tea courtesy of the friendly guides who will be there for you from start to finish.

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Cape Vidal Snorkeling Adventure

Duration: 2 hours

43 reviews

2. Munch on delicious seafood dishes at Ocean Basket St Lucia

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


If you think we’ve forgotten about a place where you can eat in St Lucia, well, here it is – Ocean Basket St Lucia! They serve fresh seafood dishes such as oysters, calamari, mussels, and prawns. If you suddenly miss Japanese food, fret not! They also offer sushi served with their chef’s world-class plating skills as well as foods specially prepared for kids, such as their Sushilicious, Amaze Balls, Saucy Fish Bites, and Kids Cheesy Bruschetta. Whether you’re alone, with someone who loves Japanese foods, or with kids, Ocean Basket St Lucia has got you covered!

Ocean Basket St Lucia

Address: Shop 12, 73 Mckenzie St, South Africa, St Lucia, 3936

Website: Ocean Basket St Lucia

Opening hours: 9.30am - 9pm (daily)

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3. Drink a glass of beer at Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar


We’ve got a place where you can eat great seafood in St Lucia, and we’ve also got a place where you can drink the best booze partnered with the best fish and chips! That’s at Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar! They also serve seafood dishes such as calamari, shrimps, and different kinds of fishes. So if you’re looking for a place to chill out with a glass of beer, you now know where to go!

Fisherman's Restaurant and Bar

Address: Mckenzie St, St Lucia, 3936, South Africa

Website: Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar

Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)

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4. Join Themba's Birding & Eco-tours and be fascinated by South African birds

Posted by St.Lucia Birds & Birding on Monday, 19 September 2011

Here’s another place where you can get the best views of the birds of St. Lucia: Themba’s Birding & Eco-tours! You’ll see a lot of birds of many shapes, sizes, and colors that will truly fascinate you. If you’re into bird photography, you will surely have such lovely subjects to add to your collections, and even if you’re just a regular wonder junkie, you will still be mesmerized by these feathered beauties.

Themba's Birding & Eco-tours

Address: Mckenzie St, St Lucia, 3936, South Africa

Website: Themba’s Birding & Eco-tours

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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5. Go on a tour with KZN Wildlife and support their mission


KZN Wildlife offers tours that highlight the beauty of KwaZulu-Natal while promoting nature conservation and protecting South Africa’s endangered wildlife. They have several trails that tourists can choose from, one of which is The Primitive Trail which focuses on immersing its customers to minimal living in the wilderness. You can also become a member of the Rhino Club for only 17 USD per year. Becoming a member gives you the privilege of free entry to the gates of KZN resorts, exclusive discounts for special events, and eligibility to join their quarterly competitions. The best thing about being a customer of KZN is that you are also supporting the people protecting the animals and their natural habitat in St. Lucia.

KZN Wildlife

Address: Mckenzie St, St Lucia, 3936, South Africa

Website: KZN Wildlife

Price: 17 USD

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6. Go horse-riding with Bhangazi Horse Safaris

things to do in saint lucia south africa | go horse-riding with bhangazi horse safaris
Source: instagram

Have you ever ridden a horse before? If not, you might want to try it out! Through Bhangazi Horse Safaris, your horse-riding fantasies will come true! If you’re hesitant because you’re a beginner, fret not! You will have your dedicated guide to help you and watch your back! Their horses are mostly Boeperds, the South African breed of horses. They also have Java horses which are originally from Indonesia. Whether it be Java or Boeperd, your horse-riding experience will be unforgettable because you will be riding a horse while seeing many different and interesting animals of South Africa!

Bhangazi Horse Safaris

Address: IPhiva ISimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, Estuary, 3936, South Africa

Website: Bhangazi Horse Safaris

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

Price: From 10 USD

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7. Admire different bird species on the Igwala Gwala Forest Trail

Crowned Hornbills

Posted by Mike Wheeler on Sunday, 3 April 2016

Home of the Purple Crested Turaco also known locally as Igwala, which is where this tourist spot got its name from, the Igwala Gwala Forest Trail is a place with a wealth of stunning views and wildlife ready to be captured by your digital camera! The trail is surrounded by lush green plants of many types and shapes, which is also home to many kinds of birds, such as the Green Twinspot, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and Red-capped Robin-chat. If you’re a bird-lover, you will surely think that this place is a paradise! Plus, there are also other types of animals you will see and encounter here and capture a picture of here, such as hippos and also the bushbuck.

Igwala Gwala Forest Trail

Address: Eden Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, South Africa

Website: Igwala Gwala Forest Trail

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8. Hike the Emoyeni Trail

Emoyeni Trail

Posted by Jeremy Dickens on Sunday, 12 August 2007

Emoyeni Trail is another way to appreciate your connection to nature. Join a tour where you’ll explore the forest dunes, swamp, grasslands, and wetlands. A typical tour lasts for up to 5 days, and tourists will typically see the different parts of St. Lucia, its unique animal species roaming and flying or maybe swimming around. Make sure that you have enough space on your phone’s memory to be able to save all the memorable sights that you will see on Emoyeni Trail.

Emoyeni Trail

Address: St. Lucia, South Africa

Website: Emoyeni Trail

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9. Take a selfie at Cape St. Lucia Lighthouse

Cape St Lucia Lighthouse - KZN, 8m cast iron tower,Period 10s http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/kwazulunatal/cape-st-lucia-lighthouse/

Posted by Sailors Society of South Africa on Wednesday, 12 June 2013

One of the most famous landmarks in this destination is Cape St. Lucia Lighthouse. It is situated in about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from St. Lucia River. It is a small lighthouse compared to average lighthouses and it is painted in black and white. If you want to see and take a selfie with one of the smallest lighthouses in South Africa, then you should definitely visit Cape St. Lucia! A picture of you and the lighthouse is a nice souvenir!

Cape St. Lucia Lighthouse

Address: Kwambonambi, South Africa

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10. Stroll around iSimangaliso Wetland Park (from USD 27.58)

things to do in saint lucia south africa | stroll around isimangaliso wetland park

A two and a half-hour walk is another way to enjoy the beauty of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, accompanied by a tour guide who will teach you a thing or two about the highlights of iSimangaliso Wetland Park. You will also have the opportunity to watch small animals and birds do their thing, and also capture a picture of the hippos and crocodiles doing their routinary sunbathing. After the tour, you’ll have lots of pictures to decorate the wall of your Facebook profile or Instagram account!

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St Lucia: 2.5-Hour iSimangaliso Wetland Park Walking Tour

Duration: 2.5 hour

2 reviews

11. Go on a boat cruise on St. Lucia Estuary (from USD 22.06)

things to do in saint lucia south africa | go on a boat cruise on st. lucia estuary

Because you’re in South Africa, you must be looking forward to seeing some of the animals that you don’t often see in your home country. If we’re partly correct, then we suggest going on a tour to see the hippos and crocs of St. Lucia, South Africa! Not only will you see these frightening, yet, majestic creatures, you will also get the chance to see fish eagles and other types of birds. You’ll be accompanied by an experienced tour guide who will also teach you many things about the wildlife you will encounter during the tour.

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St Lucia: Hippopotamus and Crocodile Estuary Boat Cruise

Duration: 2 hour

47 reviews

12. Join a whale watching tour (from USD 105.01)

join a whale watching tour

Another must-see wonder in St. Lucia, South Africa are the whales showing off their magnificence in the waters of KwaZulu-Natal. If you’re interested in witnessing these marine mammals, you can join a whale-watching tour in KwaZulu-Natal and learn more about these gentle giants, such as their migration patterns, and their breeding behavior. You will also learn about dolphins and seabirds as a bonus! So, pack a pair of binoculars and get ready for an exciting time in the sea!

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St Lucia: Whale Watching Tour in KwaZulu-Natal

Duration: 3 hour

13. View wildlife at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (from USD 81.0)

Lions, elephants, and everything nice! These are some of the animals that you will have the chance to see when you arrange a group date of up to nine persons with a friendly tour guide at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park! You won’t have to worry about the food you’ll eat, because it’ll be taken care of by the people managing the tour! In addition, the tour lasts about 10 hours of non-stop learning, sightseeing, and having nothing but fun with everybody in your group!

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Full-Day Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park Big Five Game Drive

Duration: 10 hours

14. View local wildlife on a sunset safari (from USD 44.0)

Have you ever dreamed of seeing a leopard in the wild? Why just dream about it when you can realize it? Join the iSimangaliso Sunset Safari tour and you will have the privilege of seeing leopards doing their thing in the wild! Plus, you will have the opportunity to view the stunning sunset in the South African wetlands! You’ll also see other nocturnal animals and even elephants roaming here and there, and you’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide to keep you well-informed along the way!

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iSimangaliso Sunset Safari

Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy everything that St Lucia has to offer

St. Lucia is a great destination for people who love being in touch with nature by sightseeing or going on a hiking adventure. Also, it has several recreational establishments to keep you entertained. So, if staying indoors is boring, you should definitely try these things to do in St Lucia, South Africa.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rienz is a former office-based employee who entered the world of travel writing. His ultimate dream is to be able to travel the world and experience as much of it as he can. By pursuing his dreams,...Read more

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