Lake St Lucia, 368 square kilometres in size, is the focal point of the third largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. Stretching from the game-filled Mkuzi plains in the  north sot the St Lucia Estuary in the south the 1700-square-kilometre Greater St Lucia Wetland Park encompasses a diversity of habitats: mountain, bushveld, palm groves, sand forest, grassland, wetland, coastal forest, coral reef and ocean.

The coastal village of St Lucia is a popular holiday destination, with a range of facilities and accommodation. Regular cruises offer close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, fish eagles and rare waterbirds. The Crocodile Centre, north of the village, is the finest in the country.

The coastline from Cape Vidal to Ponta Do Ouro is a protected marine reserve; the sandy beaches provide vital nesting sites for loggerhead and leatherback turtles. Fishing is allowed in certain areas.