Blue Tourism in Action - Witness Turtle Nesting on South Africa’s Wild North Coast

Set deep within the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thonga Beach Lodge offers more than a luxury beach escape. It offers purpose.  

Tucked within coastal dune forest along one of the country’s last untouched stretches of shoreline, this eco-lodge is a gateway to one of Africa’s most compelling marine conservation stories, led by passionate local guides whose lives are intertwined with the ocean. 

From November to March, guests can join unforgettable night drives and guided walks along the beach to witness loggerhead and leatherback turtles – both endangered – as they emerge from the ocean to lay their eggs. It’s an awe-inspiring experience that begins with anticipation and ends with a deep sense of connection to nature. Watching a female turtle dig her nest and release her eggs under moonlight is a timeless encounter, a ritual of survival playing out year after year, against mounting odds. 

“The ocean has always been part of our lives here in Mabibi,” says Saneliso "Sunny" Mathenjwa, who was born and raised in the local village and now plays a vital role at the lodge as a marine educator. “As children, we swam and fished here. Now I help protect the same beaches for the turtles – and teach our youth how important the ocean is to all of us.” 

Through partnerships between Thonga Beach Lodge, the Isibindi Foundation, and the Mabibi community, a new generation of marine stewards is emerging. Sunny and his team run youth education programmes focusing on waste management, marine life, and conservation ethics.  

These initiatives are not just about environmental education, they’re about empowering Mabibi’s youth with knowledge, skills, and employment opportunities that ripple out to benefit the broader community. “Many of our brothers and sisters now get seasonal work during turtle season,” Sunny adds. “So the message of protection and conservation is real, and it’s working.” 

The lodge’s conservation ethos is lived out not only in its environmental initiatives but in its people. Dive Master Bonani Mbonambi, also from Mabibi, began his journey as a general helper before his fascination with the underwater world led him to become a qualified dive professional. Snorkelling guide Sipho Qwabe started in maintenance but now shares his deep knowledge of the coral-filled rockpools with guests. And Head Guide Sthembiso Mdletshe, son of the village’s induna (chief) and married to the lodge’s assistant manager, has been leading guest experiences and wildlife education for nearly a decade. “There’s a powerful sense of pride here,” says Sthembiso. “Thonga isn’t just a lodge, it’s part of Mabibi. Without it, this place would be very different.” 

Beyond turtle tracking, guests can enjoy a kaleidoscope of marine activities: snorkelling through warm Indian Ocean reefs alive with tropical fish, guided rockpool walks, fat-bike rides along the beach, or simply soaking in the solitude of endless golden sands. For divers, the reefs offshore offer thrilling encounters with rays, eels, octopuses and the elusive lionfish. 

Each encounter, above or below the water, is led by locals whose stories add depth to the experience, reminding guests that conservation isn’t just about animals. It’s about people, place, and purpose. The protection of marine life and the empowerment of local youth go hand in hand, creating a more hopeful and sustainable future for this remarkable stretch of coastline. 

About Thonga Beach Lodge 

Operated by Isibindi Africa Lodges, Thonga Beach Lodge comprises twelve luxurious oceanfront ecosuites nestled within a coastal dune forest. Guests enjoy personalised service, sustainably sourced seafood and produce, and daily experiences - including snorkelling, diving, turtlewatching, forest walks, and cultural engagement with the local Thonga community. A purpose-driven property, Thonga is deeply committed to conservation and community upliftment through the Isibindi Foundation. 

For reservation inquiries, please contact reservations via email at res@isibindi.co.za or by telephone on +27 (0)35 474 1473, or visit www.isibindi.co.za.