List of Estuaries in South Africa (River Mouths), This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. List is in order from East (border with Mozambique) to the West (border with Namibia).
The South African coastline stretches for some 3000 km from Kosi Bay near the Mozambique border in the east to the Gariep (Orange) 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 (Heydorn, 1991). 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.
| Name | Drainage area in Km² | Province and location | River Name | Coördinates | Summary / Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kosi Bay Estuary | 304 | KwaZulu-Natal, border Mozambique | Kosi Bay (26° 54’ S; 32° 53’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated on the east (KwaZulu-Natal) 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 (28° 23’ S; 32° 25’E) 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 (28° 24’ S; 32° 25’E) 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 (28° 51’ S; 32° 03’E) 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 (Richards Bay) and a sanctuary area (Mhlathuze estuary) 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 (28° 57’ S; 31° 49’E) 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 (29° 05’ S; 31° 38’E) 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 (tugela) Estuary | 29 101 | KwaZulu-Natal, between Richards Bay and Durban | Tugela River | The Thukela system (29° 13’ S; 31° 30’E) 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 (29° 24’ S; 31° 20’E) 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 (29° 48’ S; 31° 02’E) 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 (29° 52’ S; 31° 04’E) 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 (30° 12’ S; 30° 48’E) 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 (30° 44’ S; 30° 27’E) 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 (31° 04’ S; 30° 12’E) 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 (31° 06’ S; 30° 10’E) 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 (31° 15’ S; 30° 03’E) 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 (31° 18’ S; 29° 58’E) 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 (31° 32’ S; 29° 41’E) 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 (31° 34’ S; 29° 38’E) 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 (31° 38’ S; 29° 33’E) 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 (31° 41’ S; 29° 27’E) 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 (31° 42’ S; 29° 25’E) 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 (31° 51’ S; 29° 16’E) 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 Eastuary | 2 338 | Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns | Mdumbi River | The Mdumbi estuary (31° 56’ S; 29° 13’E) 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 (31° 57’ S; 29° 10’E) 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 (32° 10’ S; 29° 00’E) 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 (32° 15’ S; 28° 54’E) 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 | Mqabara River | The Nqabara estuary (32° 20’ S; 28° 47’E) 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 (32° 24’ S; 28° 43’E) 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 (32° 27’ S; 28° 40’E) 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 (32° 35’ S; 28° 31’E) 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 (32° 36’ S; 28° 29’E) 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 (32° 41’ S; 28° 23’E) 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 (32° 55’ S; 28° 05’E) 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 (32° 56’ S; 28° 02’E) 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 (32° 59’ S; 27° 57’E) 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 (33° 02’ S; 27° 55’E) 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 (33° 14’ S; 27° 35’E) 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 (33° 17’ S; 27° 29’E) 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 (33° 30’ S; 27° 08’E) 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 (33° 36’ S; 26° 54’E) 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 (33° 41’ S; 26° 44’E) 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 (33° 42’ S; 26° 40’E) 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 (33° 43’ S; 25° 51’E) 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 (33° 52’ S; 25° 38’E) 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 (33° 58’ S; 25° 04’E) 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 (34° 09’ S; 24° 51’E) 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 (34° 02’ S; 23° 23’E) 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 (34° 05’ S; 23° 04’E) 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 (34° 00’ S; 22° 48’E) 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 | } | The Gourits estuary (34° 21’ S; 22° 33’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies southwest of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 416 km long with a catchment area of 45 715 km2. |
| Goukou Estuary (kafferkuils) | 1 550 | Western Cape, west of Mossel Bay | Goukou River | The Goukou system (34° 23’ S; 21° 25’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 67 km long with a catchment area of 1 550 km2. | |
| Duiwenhoks Estuary | 1 340 | Western Cape, [[west of Mossel Bay | Duiwenhoks River | The Duiwenhoks estuary (34° 22’ S; 21° 00’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is situated west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 83 km long with a catchment area of 1 340 km2. | |
| Breë Estuary | 12 384 | Western Cape, west of Mossel Bay | Bree River | The Breë estuary (34° 24’ S; 20° 51’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and lies west of the coastal town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, near Cape Infanta. The river is approximately 337 km long with a catchment area of 12 384 km2. | |
| Heuningnes Estuary | 1 400 | Western Cape, Cape Agulhas | Heuningnes River | The Heuningnes system (34° 43’ S; 20° 07’E) drains into the Indian Ocean, and is the southernmost estuary in South Africa, situated near Cape Agulhas. The catchment area that feeds this system is approximately 1 400 km2. | |
| Klein Estuary | 906 | Western Cape, near Hermanus | Klein River | The Klein estuary (34° 25’ S; 19° 18’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located near the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 66 km long with a catchment area of 906 km2. | |
| Bot Estuary | 920 | Western Cape, northwest of Hermanus | Bot River | The Bot system (34° 21’ S; 19° 05’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is situated just northwest of the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 54 km long with a catchment area of 920 km2. | |
| Palmiet Estuary | 535 | Western Cape, west of Hermanus | Plamiet River | } | The Palmiet estuary (34° 21’ S; 19° 00’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located west of the coastal town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 73 km long with a catchment area of 535 km2. |
| Diep Estuary | 1 495 | Western Cape, near Cape Town | Diep River | The Diep estuary (33° 53’ S; 18° 28’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is situated near the coastal city of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The river is approximately 87 km long with a catchment area of 1 495 km2. | |
| Berg Estuary | 7 715 | Western Cape, north of Cape Town | Berg River | The Berg estuary (32° 46’ S; 18° 09’E) drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, in fact north of Saldanha Bay. The river is approximately 294 km long with a catchment area of 7 715 km2. | |
| Verloren Estuary | 1 895 | Western Cape, north of Cape Town | Verlorenvlei River | The Verlore system (32° 19’ S; 18° 20’E) is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, south of Lamberts Bay. The river is approximately 101 km long with a catchment area of 1 895 km2. | |
| Olifants Estuary | 46 220 | Western Cape, north of Cape Town | Olifants River | The Olifants estuary (31° 42’ S; 18° 11’E) is located in the Western Cape and is found on the west coast, north of the coastal city of Cape Town, north of Lamberts Bay. The river is approximately 285 km long with a catchment area of 46 220 km2. | |
| Orange Estuary (Gariep) | 549 700 | Northern Cape border Namibia north of Port Nolloth | Orange River | The Gariep (Orange) system (28° 38’ S; 16° 27’E) is situated just north of the coastal town of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape and forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. The Gariep (Orange) River is the largest in southern Africa and drains most of the western part of southern Africa including parts of Namibia and Lesotho. The river is approximately 2 173 km with a catchment area of about 549 700 km2. |