Umhlanga lagoon is a

nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...

on the shore of the

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or ~19.8% of the water on Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east. To the south it is bounded by t ...

at Umhlanga Rocks,

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

. The reserve encloses the

Ohlanga River The Ohlanga River is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which empties into the Indian Ocean just north of uMhlanga, north of Durban.Tourism KwaZulu-NatalAbout Durban retrieved September 2006 The river has extensive reed beds in the estuary ...

's lagoon and mouth. The forest forms a natural extension of the less accessible Hawaan Forest, of which the greater part lies inland of the busy M4 road. The reserve trails start at a car park at the northern end of Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga. The reserve has picnic sites, the remains of a prehistoric

shell midden A midden (also kitchen midden or shell heap) is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, mollusc shells, potsherds, lithics (especially debitage), and other artifacts and eco ...

and walking trails, with a walkway and pedestrian bridge that span the lagoon. At the mouth of the Ohlanga lagoon there is a popular but unofficial

nudist beach A nude beach, sometimes called a clothing-optional or free beach, is a beach where users are at liberty to be nude. Nude beaches usually have mixed bathing. Such beaches are usually on public lands, and any member of the public is allowed to ...

. Increased use of the area by non-nudist walkers and families resulted in complaints about nudism and antisocial behaviour. The area was at one time a ‘no-go’ area, due to a serious crime problem.

Notes and references

* * * * Nude beaches Beaches of South Africa Tourist attractions in Durban Protected areas of KwaZulu-Natal {{Nature Reserves in eThekwini

See also

Notes and references