Rocktail Bay, Elephant Coast
This is one of those remote beach experiences that reminds one rather of a film set for a desert island, complete with perfectly warm waters, miles and miles of endless sandy beaches and forested sand dunes. A more consummate scenario one cannot even dream into reality. This is Rocktail Bay.
Situated in the far off north eastern parts of the KwaZulu-Natal Elephant Coast, Rocktail Bay lies in the very far reaches of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, just beyond Lake Sibaya. Not only is this the site of some of the most densely forested sand dunes but the chance to snorkel and spot turtles, large shoals of fish, dolphins and whales makes it a more than worthy destination, despite the distance you might have to travel.
The beaches here are renowned throughout the world as a vital turtle nesting sanctuary. Endangered loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles lay their eggs in the dunes and, if you time it right (between October and March) you may be able to watch these beautiful beasts come to shore at night when the tide is low.
It is an amazing sight to watch the leatherback turtle - on average between one and a half to two metres long and weighing in anywhere between 250 kg to 750 kg - make its way up the beach to a level above the high tide in order to dig a hole to lay up to 110 eggs at a time, and then make their way back again.
If you miss the October to March egg laying time, then be there to watch them hatch from January to the end of March. This unspoilt coastline is, at any time of the year, a wonderful destination in the heart of lush vegetation, effortless beauty and a slowing of time.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
The Bridge 17
Set in The Bridge Holiday Resort in St Lucia, The Bridge 17 offers comfortable accommodation for four guests. The apartment is situated on the ba...
Maputaland Guest House
Maputaland Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in the area of St Lucia. We are well known for our warm hospitality, comfortable ac...
Marlin Lodge
Marlin Lodge is a Bed & Breakfast in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal. The spacious rooms each have an outside entrance and open onto the patio leading on...
Triton Dive Lodge
Triton Dive Lodge offers accommodation in a natural pine forest, just far enough off the beaten track to ensure peace and tranquility. Accommodat...
Lucky Bean Tree Cottage
Lucky Bean Tree Cottage is located at Buffalo Hill Safari Lodge which is situated in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, home to the Big 5 and so m...
18 Villa Mia
Located in St Lucia, 18 Villa Mia provides accommodation for six guests. The complex has a communal swimming pool and braai area which guests are...
Indlulamithi Bush Lodge
Indlulamithi Bush Lodge consists of two detached full on luxury en-suite bedrooms and the luxurious main lodge, each nestled in its own secluded ...
The Lake House
The Lake House offers accommodation in Hluhluwe ideal for a family holiday or a breakaway with friends. The Lake House is a self catering holiday...
Urban Glamping
Urban Glamping is situated on the main road of St Lucia, the gateway to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. This Luxury tented lodge is not what you w...
Noteworthy attractions
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is situated on the coast in the northern part of KwaZulu Natal and surrounds the Kosi Bay lake system. The system con...
Lake Sibaya
Lake Sibaya is the largest fresh water lake in South Africa with a surface area of 77 kmē and an average depth of 13 m. The lake was previously c...
Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park
The Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared South Africa's first Natural World Heritage Site on 1 December 1999. It is considered South Afric...
Mapelane Nature Reserve
Mapelane Nature Reserve is the southernmost reserve within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The Mapelane Nature Reserve is situated on the south ba...
Ndumo Game Reserve
Ndumo Game Reserve (adjacent to the Tembe Elephant Park) is a small but impressive game reserve. Proclaimed in 1924 Ndumo Game Reserve is one of ...
Sodwana Bay National Park
The small Sodwana Bay National Park consists of a narrow coastal strip of forest covered sand dunes. Sodwana Bay National Park was proclaimed in ...
Tembe Elephant National Park
The largest African elephants in the world, along with rhino, buffalo, leopard, hippo and antelope species in a 300kmē park on the South Africa /...
Enseleni Nature Reserve
The Enseleni Nature Reserve is a small reserve of 293 hectares lying just inland from the town of Richards Bay, almost midway between Empangeni a...
Maputaland Marine Reserve
The Maputaland Marine Reserve lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, known as one of the 'jewels' of South Africa's coastline and a UNESCO de...
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