Rocktail Bay Lodge

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Highlights

• Comfortable and romantic tree houses
• Small lodge with an intimate and tranquil atmosphere
• Located in a World Heritage Site and surrounded by forests and beaches
• Diving, snorkelling and other marine activities
• Birding, nature walks and plenty of fresh sea air

Rocktail Bay Lodge is situated within the Maputaland Marine Reserve which lies at the northern section of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, which has been declared a World Heriatge site. It offers a truly stunning setting behind forested sand dunes, metres away from some 30km of undisturbed virgin white beach. Few parts of the South African coastline are as unspoilt and secluded. Here the waves meet endless and diverse beaches where it is possible to walk for hours without meeting another soul or seeing a building.

As befits the beach location, activities focus on the sea with snorkelling excursions to Lala Nek and Black Rock, swimnming and excellent scuba diving. The Indian Ocean is ideal for snorkelling in search of tropical fish, (flippers and snorkels may be borrowed at the lodge), while surf fishing is reputed to be among the best on the east coast. Other activities include nature walks through the coastal forest and grasslands, or horse riding and drives in open 4x4 vehicles to Black Rock which will enthral naturalists and photographers. The cycad forests and the Hippo Pools can also be visited, particularly lovely for sundowners. The spectacular Lake Sibaya is a short drive away. Birding in the forest turns up many of the Kwa-Zulu Natal birding specials and one can sit at our bird hide in the forest and enjoy great birding - especially in our winter months when birds like flufftails often come to the water.

In summer, an awe-inspiring highlight are the nocturnal explorations along the beach in search of egg-laying sea turtles. Rocktail Bay Lodge is integrally involved in the ongoing loggerhead and leatherback turtle research that has been going on since the 1960s. Guests are able to accompany the resident turtle expert on research drives at low tide at night helping to monitor the turtle's nesting numbers and the turtle's behaviour.

Accommodation is in 11 wood and thatch 'tree-house' chalets raised up on stilts into the forest canopy, each with a wooden deck and ensuite bathroom with flush loos and hot and cold running water and an additional outdoor shower in the forest. The main area of the lodge has an inviting lounge, pub and pool. Wholesome home cooked meals are enjoyed either in the main dining room, at the pool or outdoors under a huge Natal mahogany tree. This remote lodge is run in conjunction with the local community so you are welcomed on a visit to the nearby school and clinic. Rocktail Bay Lodge is not a deluxe Bali-style beach hotel with telephones and TVs..... it is a comfortable lodge that is ideal for people who want to truly relax and unwind on one of the best coastlines in the world.

At Manzengwenya, 11km south of the camp, is Rocktail Bay's own fully accredited dive-centre with an unrivalled diving operation anywhere in South Africa. They offer boating excursions out to sea around low tide to enjoy scuba and snorkelling on the pristine coral reefs offshore. (Please take special note that dive certification and pre-booking is compulsory for scuba activities). The reefs here are very special and have hardly been dived before. We are continually finding new reefs! Snorkellers often dive with dolphins, whale sharks and even whales! One of the highlights in the summer months is the diving with the pregnant ragged-tooth sharks when they migrate up north and relax in the caves in the reefs.

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