1554
St. Lucia was originally named “Rio de la Medaos do Oura” (“River of the Dows of Gold”) by the survivors of the Portuguese shipwreck Saint Benedict.
On 13 December 1575, the day of the feast of Saint Lucy, Manuel Peresterello renamed the mouth area to Santa Lucia.
In 1822, St. Lucia was proclaimed by the British as a township.
1852
From 1852, Robert Briggs Struthers and his hunters shot over 1,000 hippos in almost every river and lake in the Zulu Kingdom. The ivory was used to make false teeth and mathematical instruments.
By 1895 game numbers were becoming so exhausted that parts of St Lucia were proclaimed as a Game Reserve, making it now the oldest conservation area in South Africa.
1911
Sugar farming started on the Mfolozi flood plains and in 1932,
the mouth closed which caused flooding in the area.
In response to the flooding, farmers started to canalise the river.
1943
During World War II, the Catalina Flying Boat base was established on the eastern shore of Lake St Lucia to combat the enemy U-boat attacks. The base was called “Eastern Shores”, which is now Catalina Bay.
During a severe drought in 2003, a Catalina wreck was discovered, however not much remains of it today.
1968
The state aggressively implemented plantation forestry on both Eastern Shores and Western Shores.
The South African Defence Force established a missile testing facility. During the 1970s and 1980s, missiles were dropped on the land and the lake. The lake was closed to tourism during this time.
1986
To increase the military budget, the Government cutback budgets of other state departments, which led to the transfer of several state forests to Natal Parks Board in 1986.
The St Lucia System and Turtle Beaches and Coral Reefs of Tongaland were declared as Wetlands of International Importance.
1990
The government assisted Natal Parks Board to establish a major protected area, namely the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.
In 1992, management of the Eastern Shores was transferred from the Department of Forestry to the Natal Administration.
1997
Following the 1994 elections and abolishment of Apartheid laws, a new conservation authority was amalgamated, namely Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
1999
The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park became iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first World Heritage Site.
Phased removal of alien tree plantations were implemented on the Eastern and Western Shores. This has resulted in the reappearance of freshwater wetland systems.
2000
Rhino poaching escalated across South Africa during the 2000s, impacting conservation efforts in nearby game reserves like Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, which works closely with the St Lucia region. Anti-poaching initiatives were implemented to protect the region’s rhino population.
2007
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park renamed to iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. The name change emphasised the area’s cultural and environmental significance.
“iSimangaliso” means “miracle” in Zulu, highlighting its transformation into a hub for eco-tourism and wildlife preservation.
2000-2020
Major efforts have been made to restore and maintain the St Lucia estuary and surrounding wetlands. Projects focused on reversing human-induced damage, protecting biodiversity, and reintroducing water flow to natural systems.
2000-Present
St Lucia has become a key eco-tourism destination, offering experiences like hippo and crocodile boat tours, game drives, and turtle watching. The local economy has increasingly relied on the tourism boom sparked by its wildlife and natural beauty.
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