List of estuaries of South Africa

This is a list of estuaries in South Africa. The list is in order from East to the West.
The South African coastline stretches for some 3000 km from Kosi Bay near the Mozambique border in the east to the Gariep River at the Namibian border in the west. Some 300 river outlets intersect this coastline and these range from small water bodies that are only occasionally connected to the ocean, to large, permanently open systems, and coastal lakes connected to the sea via a narrow channel. Being places where rivers meet the sea, estuaries are one of the most important features of the South African coastline; they are tranquil areas of high productivity and play a vital role in the life cycles of many plants and animals.
Apart from their ecological importance, estuaries are also popular sites for human activity and development. Recreational uses of estuaries include bait collection, bird watching, boating, fishing and swimming. Because of their great aesthetic value, areas around estuaries are often favoured for housing and tourist developments.

List of estuaries in South Africa

Name	Drainage area in Km²	Province and location	River Name	Coördinates	Summary / Remarks
Kosi Bay Estuary	304	KwaZulu-Natal, border Mozambique			Kosi Bay drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the east coast near the Mozambique border. This system has a catchment area of approximately 304 km².
St Lucia Estuary	9 542	KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay			The St Lucia estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. It is the largest estuarine system in the country and has a catchment area of approximately 9 542 km².
Mfolozi/Msunduzi Estuary	11 068	KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay	Mfolozi River, and Msunduzi River		The Mfolozi/Msunduzi estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located north of the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. This system has a catchment area of approximately 11 068 km².
Richards Bay/Mhlathuze Estuary	3 670	KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay	Mhlathuze River		The Richards Bay/Mhlathuze system is situated at the coastal town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. Prior to the construction of a deep-water harbour in the 1970s, the system comprised a large shallow, expanse of water, fed primarily by the Mhlathuze River, with a catchment area of approximately 3670 km². The system today consists two separate components, a harbour and a sanctuary area into which the Mhlathuze River flows. The harbour and sanctuary are separated by a 4 km long causeway or berm and each has its own separate opening to the sea. Both drain into the Indian Ocean.
Mlalazi Estuary	492	KwazUlu-Natal, Richards Bay	Mlalazi River		The Mlalazi estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located just south of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 54 km long with a catchment area of 492 km².
Matigulu/Nyoni Estuary	900	KwazUlu-Natal, Richards Bay	Matigulu River and Nyoni River		The Matigulu/Nyoni system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. This system drains a catchment area of over 900 km².
Thukela Estuary	29 101	KwaZulu-Natal, between Richards Bay and Durban	Tugela River		The Thukela system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated in KwaZulu-Natal, approximately midway between Richards Bay and the coastal city of Durban. The Thukela is the largest river system in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 405 km long with a catchment area of 29 101 km².
Mvoti Estuary	2 829	KwaZulu-Natal, north of Durban	Mvoti River		The Mvoti estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 197 km long with a catchment area of 2 829 km².
Mgeni Estuary	4 432	KwaZulu-Natal, Durban	Mgeni River		The Mgeni estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 232 km long with a catchment area of 4 432 km².
Durban Bay	264	KwaZulu-Natal, Durban			Durban Bay drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located in the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This important industrial harbour has a catchment area of approximately 264 km².
Mkomazi Estuary	4 310	KwaZulu-Natal, south of Durban	Mkomazi River		The Mkomazi estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 298 km long with a catchment area of 4 310 km².
Mzimkulu Estuary	6 745	KwaZulu-Natal, Port Shepstone	Mzimkulu River		The Mzimkulu estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal. The river is approximately 329 km long with a catchment area of 6 745 km².
Mtavuna Estuary	1 553	KwaZulu-Natal, south of Port Edward	Mtamvuna River		The Mtamvuna estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated just south of the coastal town of Port Edward at the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape provincial border. The river is approximately 162 km long with a catchment area of 1 553 km².
Mzamba Estuary	505	Eastern Cape, south of Port Edward	Mzamba River		The Mzamba estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape, just south of Port Edward near the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape provincial border. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 505 km².
Mtentu Estuary	965	Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns	Mtentu River		The Mtentu estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 965 km².
Msikaba Estuary	1 011	Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns	Msikaba River		The Msikaba system drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 1 011 km².
Mzintlava Estuary	280	Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns	Mzintlava River		The Mzintlava estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 280 km².
Mntafufu Estuary	178	Eastern Cape, north of Port St Johns	Mntafufu River		The Mntafufu estuary lies north of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 178 km².
Mzimvubu Estuary	19 853	Eastern Cape, Port St Johns	Mzimvubu River		The Mzimvubu estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 19 853 km².
Mngazi Estuary	561	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mngazi River		The Mngazi estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies just south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 561 km².
Mngazana Estuary	285	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mngazana River		The Mngazana estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 285 km².
Mtakatye Estuary	493	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mtakatye River		The Mtakatye estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 493 km².
Mdumbi Estuary	2 338	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mdumbi River		The Mdumbi estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 2 338 km².
Mtata Estuary	2 585	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mtata River		The Mtata estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 2 585 km².
Xora Estuary	438	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Xora River		The Xora estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 438 km².
Mbashe Estuary	6 030	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Mbashe River		The Mbashe estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 6 030 km².
Nqabara Estuary	578	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Nqabara River		The Nqabara estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 578 km².
Shixini Estuary	332	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Shixini River		The Shixini system drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 332 km².
Qora Estuary	700	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Qora River		The Qora estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 700 km².
Nggusi/Inxaxo Estuary	134	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Nggusi River and Inxaxo River		The Ngqusi/Inxaxo system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated south of the coastal town of Port St Johns on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. This system drains a total catchment area of approximately 134 km².
Kobonqaba Estuary	321	Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns	Kobonqaba River		The Kobonqaba estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns. This system drains a catchment area of approximately 321 km².
Great Kei Estuary	20 566	Eastern Cape, north of East London	Great Kei River		The Great Kei estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of East London and forms the southern border of the former Transkei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 520 km long with a catchment area of 20 566 km².
Kwelera Estuary	418	Eastern Cape,north of East London	Kwelera River		The Kwelera estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated north of the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 86 km long with a catchment area of 418 km².
Gqunube Estuary	665	Eastern Cape, north of East London	Gqunube River		The Gqunube estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies just north of the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 109 km long with a catchment area of 665 km².
Nahoon Estuary	548	Eastern Cape, East London	Nahoon River		The Nahoon estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 77 km long with a catchment area of 584 km².
Buffalo Estuary	1 279	Eastern Cape, East London	Buffalo River		The Buffalo estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated at the coastal city of East London in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 133 km long with a catchment area of 1 279 km².
Tyolomnqa Estuary	441	Eastern Cape, southwest of East London	Tyolomnqa River		The Tyolomnqa estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies southwest of the coastal city of East London and forms the northern border of the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 78 km long with a catchment area of 441 km².
Keiskamma Estuary	2 745	Eastern Cape, between East London and Port Alfred	Keiskamma River		The Keiskamma estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is found on the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape and is situated approximately midway between the City of East London in the north and the coastal town of Port Alfred in the south. The river is approximately 263 km long with a catchment area of 2 745 km².
Great Fish Estuary	30 366	Eastern Cape, near Port Alfred	Great Fish River		The Great Fish estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated northeast of the coastal town of Port Alfred and forms the southern border of the former Ciskei coast of the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 730 km long with a catchment area of 30 366 km².
Kowie Estuary	800	Eastern Cape, Port Alfred	Kowie River		The Kowie estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located at the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 94 km long with a catchment area of 800 km².
Kariega Estuary	685	Eastern Cape, Port Alfred	Kariega River		The Kariega estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated southwest of the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 138 km long with a catchment area of 685 km².
Bushmans Estuary	2 675	Eastern Cape, southwest of Port Alfred	Bushmans River		The Bushmans system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated southwest of the coastal town of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 293 km long with a catchment area of 2 675 km².
Sundays Estuary	20 990	Eastern Cape, northeast of Port Elizabeth	Sundays River		The Sundays estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located northeast of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 481 km long with a catchment area of 20 990 km².
Swartkops Estuary	1 303	Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth	Swartkops River		The Swartkops estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 134 km long with a catchment area of 1 303 km².
Gamtoos Estuary	34 635	Eastern Cape, west of Port Elizabeth	Gamtoos River		The Gamtoos estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies to the west of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 645 km long with a catchment area of 34 635 km².
Kromme Estuary	1 085	Eastern Cape, west of Port Elizabeth	Krom River		The Kromme estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies to the west of the coastal city of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The river is approximately 109 km long with a catchment area of 1 085 km².
Keurbooms Estuary	1 080	Western Cape, near Plettenberg Bay	Keurbooms River		The Keurbooms system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located in the Western Cape province near the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. The river is approximately 85 km long with a catchment area of 1 080 km².
Knysna Estuary and Harbour	525	Western Cape, Knysna	Knysna River		The Knysna estuary drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated near the coastal town of the Knysna in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 60 km long with a catchment area of 525 km².
Swartvlei Estuary	455	Western Cape, between Knysna and Mossel Bay	Sedgefield River		The Swartvlei system drains into the Indian Ocean, and is located on the Sedgefield River, approximately midway between the coastal towns of Knysna and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 38 km long with a catchment area of 455 km².
Gourits Estuary	45 715	Western Cape, southwest of Mossel Bay	Goutitz River	coord\|33\|53\|S\|18\|28\|Ecoord\|32\|46\|S\|18\|09\|Ecoord\|32\|19\|S\|18\|20\|Ecoord\|31\|42\|S\|18\|11\|Ecoord\|28\|38\|S\|16\|27\|E Popular articles Javier Milei - Argentine libertarian economist, author, radio conductor and public speaker sympathetic to the Austrian School of economic thought. He became widely known for his regular ... Jimmy Carter - American politician, philanthropist, and former farmer who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, he previ... UEFA Euro 2024 - The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship , commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2024 or simply Euro 2024 , will be the 17th edition of the UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial internationa... Argentina - country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, the country is also b... 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