St Lucia is a small settlement in KwaZulu-Natal, specifically in the Elephant Coast region. St Lucia is primarily the nucleus of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site. It is considered to be the centre of the supply system to the myriad of activities and other attractions in the Greater St Lucia region. From a small, sleepy little community it has grown to the size where it caters completely for the varying needs of tourist to this part of the country.
St Lucia offers intriguing sights and attractions that can be categorised into scenery, flora and fauna. The sheer beauty of the area is almost unrivalled, with landscapes such as marshes and mangroves unlike any other in South Africa. With lovely beaches as well, St Lucia provides a unique experience for any traveller or tourist. St Lucia’s biggest claim to fame would be its proximity to the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The history of St Lucia dates back to 1554 when Portugese shipwreck survivors who named it Rio dos Médãos do Ouro — River of the Gold Dunes. The name “St Lucia” came into being when, in 1575 during the feast of St Lucy, the settlement was named accordingly.
