This small reserve, 6km south of Port St Johns, runs from Second Beach past Third Beach to Sugarloaf Rock, near the estuary where the Gxwaleni River flows into the sea and aloes grow down almost to the water. Clawless otters are often seen on the beach, white-breasted cormorants clamber up onto Bird Island, and you might spot zebras, blesboks and vervet monkeys.
The overgrown 2km pathway (wear long pants) from Second Beach to Third Beach, which is cleaner, quieter and normally untroubled by sharks, leaves from near Lodge on the Beach. Alternatively, follow the hilly road. Well-equipped self-catering double and quadruple chalets (from R419) have stoeps and braais overlooking Third Beach.
