Boating

From canoeing to surf fishing, from power boating to yachting, KwaZulu-Natal's rivers, dams and superb coastline offer an infinite variety of opportunities for " messing about in boats ".

The Drakensberg Mountain range forms the watershed between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal.

In this major catchment mighty rivers are formed that tumble down from the Little Berg through the rolling midlands and thorn savannahs to spread out into estuaries that flow into the Indian ocean. Rivers such as the Thukela, the Bushmans, the Umgeni and the Mkomazi, provide white water excitement for canoeists and kayakers in their upper reaches.

Lower down they have been dammed into large impoundments where a variety of yachts, from deep keelers to dinghy's are chased by winds around bouyed courses in races that range from fun to national competitions. Here too, in specially zoned areas, power boats pull skiers in fun and competition, and vividly coloured jet skis and wind surfers weave bright patterns across the water.

Along KwaZulu-Natal's beautiful coast from Kosi Bay and Sodwana to Maphelana, KZN Wildlife maintains official ski boat launch sites that provide access to ski boats for game fish angling and scuba diving on the southern most coral reefs in Africa.

Visitors who do not have access to boats in a private capacity can take the opportunity to join launch tours on Midmar and Hluhluwe dams and on Lake St. Lucia in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park at Charters Creek and at St. Lucia Estuary where the fully equiped 'Santa Lucia' will take them for a two hour trip up the 'Narrows' to see hippos, crocodiles and a wonderful variety of birdlife. Midmar offers a private boat hire facility and visitors can choose from a variety of craft, both powered and sail.

Boating Destinations

• Cape Vidal
• Charters Creek
• Chelmsford
• False Bay
• Kosi Bay
• Maphelane
• Midmar
• Sodwana
• Spioenkop
• St Lucia
• Umlalazi
• Wagendrift

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