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St Lucia Estuary kitesurf and wingfoil spot
South Africa · KwaZulu-Natal
Overview
St Lucia Estuary is a unique kite spot in the St Lucia Estuary, at the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast estuary offers flat-water sailing in warm water (22-26°C) in an exceptional natural setting. Warning: hippos and crocodiles are present in the estuary. Sailing only in authorised park zones.
Spot forecast for St Lucia Estuary
Sunrise 05:08 · Sunset 18:01
Next tides
- High tide · 1.4 m
- Low tide · 1 m
- High tide · 1.4 m
- Low tide · 0.8 m
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
St Lucia Estuary: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
187h
in December · 23 rideable days
Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, December and August, at 23 rideable days and 27 °C. The low point is June, at 12 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 90% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 23 °C. The wettest month is March, with 185 mm.
Monthly averages: St Lucia Estuary
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.5 | 142 h | 29 °C | 150 mm |
| February | 18.5 | 139 h | 29 °C | 115 mm |
| March | 23.5 | 171 h | 28 °C | 185 mm |
| April | 14.0 | 84 h | 26 °C | 118 mm |
| May | 19.0 | 119 h | 25 °C | 16 mm |
| June | 12.0 | 63 h | 23 °C | 44 mm |
| July | 13.0 | 72 h | 23 °C | 30 mm |
| August | 21.0 | 134 h | 25 °C | 19 mm |
| September | 18.5 | 123 h | 25 °C | 93 mm |
| October | 19.5 | 145 h | 25 °C | 63 mm |
| November | 21.0 | 159 h | 27 °C | 91 mm |
| December | 23.0 | 187 h | 28 °C | 88 mm |
Photo gallery of St Lucia Estuary
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of St Lucia Estuary spot
The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E, SW.
Spot functioning
The spot works in NE or SW wind. The estuary offers flat water but levels vary with rainfall and tides. Sail only in park-authorised zones. Check with rangers for safe zones (hippos, crocodiles).
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
Flat, warm (22-26°C) brackish water. Sandy to muddy, shallow bottom. No waves. Tidal currents in the estuary. Water clear to murky depending on conditions. Spectacular scenery.
Parking
Access from St Lucia village. Parking in the village or at the iSimangaliso park entrance. Park entrance fee. Village with restaurants, accommodation and shops. Park guides and rangers available.
Wind specificities
The NE wind (summer trade wind) is the dominant wind, blowing across the estuary. SW wind also works. The estuary is wide enough for sailing. Thermal wind reinforced in the afternoon. Year-round, best October to April.
Hazards
HIPPOS present in the estuary - extremely dangerous, avoid at all costs. CROCODILES present - do not swim. Bull sharks possible in the estuary. Check with park rangers before sailing. Respect authorised zones. Buddy system mandatory.
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