Departing Daily, Join us and Witness these amazing Animals on a 2 hour St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise
Hippo & Crocodile Boat Safari St Lucia
Hippo & Croc Boat Safari St Lucia
St Lucia Boat Tours
2025 Price R400.00 p/p
Annual Price Increase 1st November
The Official Exclusive Shoreline Hippo Boat Cruises
Imagine seeing Hippos Yawning and Grunting up close while out on one of the largest estuaries in Africa. An iSimangaliso Wetland Park Boat Cruise is one of the most favorite attractions while in the area.
Shoreline Boats depart every Two Hours and we would be delighted to host you on your next St Lucia Hippo & Croc Boat Cruise.
Shoreline Hippo Boat Cruises is a Legally Accredited Tour Operator within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is allowed to operate 2 Vessels.
Hippo & Crocodile Boat Safari St Lucia
2 Hour Trips
Tour Description
- Duration: 2 Hours
- Departure / Meeting Point: Siyabonga Jetty, Departing every Two Hours.
- Group size: is a maximum of 15 passengers per vessel.
- What to bring along: Light Jacket during winter, Sunblock and Hat during summer months.
- Vessel Type: Pontoon Styled Vessel, 9 meters in length.
- Expert Guides: Each Guide/Skipper has years of experience within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- 100% Guarantee Hippo Sightings
- Qualifications: All skippers are SAMSA qualified skippers as well as qualified Guides, with passenger endorsements from Samsa.
- Book Now: Online Bookings Please Check Online for Available Time Slots
- Price incl Vat: Adults R400 - Children Under 12 yrs old R200 - Children Under 2 yrs old Free
- Distance Travel: You will travel approximately 7/9 Km North depending on the best areas to view the Hippos and other wildlife.
Hippo & Croc Boat Safari Tour St Lucia KZN - Outline
Shoreline Boat Safaris offers 2 Custom pontoon-styled Vessels. Each vessel has a maximum carrying capacity of 15 Passengers.
This 2-hour Hippo and Croc Boat Safari traverses approximately 8km in a northerly direction on the St Lucia Estuary, which is within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's very first world heritage site.
Shoreline Vessels have been custom-built to the exact needs of visitors to the area, the deck of the Shoreline vessels has optimal viewing space ensuring you awesome photographic opportunities. The vessel has a shallow draft with minimal impact on the environment. All of the guides/skippers have numerous years of experience in the bush in the area and therefore an exciting and informative trip is guaranteed.
A 2 hour spectacular Hippo and Crocodile Boat Safari
The Official Shoreline Boat Safaris
Hippo & Croc Boat Safari St Lucia-Estuary Information
St Lucia is home to one of the largest free-roaming Hippo populations in South Africa. Did you know that it is estimated that there are more or a less 800 Hippos wandering freely in the area? Added to that 1200 Nile Crocodiles and an abundance of bird species.
These Hippo & Croc Boat Tours offer you a super opportunity to witness these animals up close with some amazing and incredible information from your personal Skipper/Guide.
The St Lucia Estuary is the largest estuarine system in Southern Africa and measures an astonishing 350 square kilometers, which falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The park covers an area of 3280 square kilometers.
From North to South the Estuary stretches for an astonishing 80 km and is 23 km wide at its widest.
Some other wildlife may be also encountered while out on these Hippo Boat Trips these include the likes of Buffalo, Water Buck, Elephants, Leopard, African Fish Eagles, Malachite Kingfishers, Water Monitors and many other species.
Freqeuntly Asked Questions
Yes, children under 12 yrs old are half price and kids under the age of 2 yrs old are free aboard our Shoreline Hippo Boat Trips in St Lucia.
We offer a Summer and a Winter departure, thereafter we depart every two hours. Winter 1st departure time is: 07:30 am and Summer 1st departure time is 08:30 am
Shoreline Hippo Boat Cruises departs from the Siyabonga Jetty, the jetty is situated just before the bridge that you enter into St Lucia on the left-hand side.
Yes, their is ample free parking at the Siyabonga jetty. Although it is adviseable to arrive early.
Ready to Inquire simply drop us a Email
Departure Point - Siyabonga Jetty
The Siyabonga Jetty is situated at the bridge before entering St Lucia on the left-hand side. On either side of the road is ample complimentary parking. Please if you would be so kinf as to be at the jetty 10/15 minutes prior to departure.
Our Offices - Shoreline Boat Safaris & Heritage Tours & Safaris
If you are not able to purchase an Online Ticket then why not pop into our office and, we will gladly assist you.
What you Too could expect while out on a Shoreline Hippo Boat Cruise
Hippo & Crocodile Boat Safari St Lucia
Hippo & Crocodile Boat Safari St Lucia - Where to Find Us
Frequently Asked Questions: St Lucia Hippo Boat Cruises
Yes, they do, however, it is weather dependent, it is advisable to call the office beforehand herewith is our office number, +27 64 037 6415
Unfortunately, this is nature and we can not make any guarantees. The likelihood however is very high that you too may see and experience this. The skippers will more than likely keep an eye out for you and when they are about to yawn they will let you know.
It depends entirely on what it is that you would like to experience, early mornings are quiet and truly peaceful.
Mid-day trips are good for Birding and late afternoon trips are special with the African Sunset. All trips however guarantee you sightings of Hippos. Our personal favorite time is the early mornings.
Without a doubt a Camera if possible and a light Jacket. Summer times are hot and humid so please do keep this in mind.
Winter remains warmish due to it being subtropical but a light jacket would be worthwhile.
The Siyabonga jetty is situated at the entrance to Town (St Lucia) this would be the main road from Mtubatuba and we are situated on the lefthand side just before crossing the bridge. The parking is complimentary as well.
Please follow the following Link, CLICK HERE
Our Vessels only accommodate 15 passengers. Being smaller they offer the ability to get closer to the wildlife and ensure you some magnificent sightings.
Ample space to move around and better communication with your skipper/guide. Being smaller also means that the vessel has a shallow draft and this contributes greatly to being able to traverse in shallower waters.
It is estimated that the St Lucia Estuary is home to an amazing 800 Hippos and 1200 Nile Crocodiles.
This is undoubtedly the largest free-roaming Hippo population in South Africa.
Unfortunately, seeing the Nile Crocodiles is not guaranteed. This is by no means that you will not see the Hippos we are able to offer you a 99% guarantee that you will see these amazing animals while out on our Hippo Boat Trips on the St Lucia Estuary.
- Hippos can not swim
- Hippos can not breathe underwater
- Hippos are aggressive only due to protecting their territory
- Hippos generally do not eat meat
Our Latest Shoreline Boat Safari Reviews 2025
Wonderful family Experience
We enjoyed a comfortable boat cruise up the estuary. Thobile was a very adept skipper, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She got us up close and personal to both hippos and crocs as well as some unexpected waterbuck and many birds. We had a wonderful time. Perfect for kids!
Amazing
We had an amazing experience booking with Heritage Tours. The team was friendly, responsive, and accommodating from start to finish. The boat trip was absolutely incredible, well-organized, and informative. We truly appreciated the service and would highly recommend Heritage Tours to anyone looking for a memorable and informative experience.
Fabulous Hippo Viewing Tour
What a fabulous morning out for the family. Our guide, Thobile was equal parts friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable and her love for the area and the animals was infectious. We got some amazing sightings of the hippos and managed to even see a croc (they are notoriously difficult to find). I would whole heartedly recommend this company for your tour at St. Lucia (and try to get on the boat with Thobile!).
Shoreline Hippo Boat Cruises is a member and affiliated to SATSA South Africa.
