Turtle-tracking excursions in Coastal Maputaland or Isimangaliso Wetlands Park

Turtle-tracking in Coastal Maputaland

One of the most special coastal experiences you can have on a beach holiday in northern KwaZulu Natal!

Hopefully, you will be able to witness the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles as they come inshore to lay their eggs in the early summer. Later on you may be able to see the eggs hatch and the baby turtles make a life and death rush for the safety of the ocean. You can experience this carefully regulated excursion at Thonga Beach Lodge on Coastal Maputaland. Or from St Lucia near the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.

No one knows how the turtles can navigate back through the ocean and lay their eggs on exactly the same beach where they were born. It is one of those remarkable poignant mysteries of nature. The ‘season’ for turtle tracking begins in November and continues through the summer to February. It is a nocturnal activity. The turtles need the safety of darkness in order to find a suitable nesting place above the high tide mark.

Thonga Beach Lodge offers turtle-tracking excursions along the beach during these months.