Kosi Bay | |
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Location of Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal | |
Location | KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
Nearest city | Maputo (across border), then Richards Bay, South Africa |
Coordinates | 27°0′0″S 32°50′0″E / 27.00000°S 32.83333°ECoordinates: 27°0′0″S 32°50′0″E / 27.00000°S 32.83333°E |
Governing body | Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife |
Kosi Bay is a series of four interlinked lakes in the Maputaland area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The lakes form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The closest town is Manguzi, some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) away from it. Kosi Bay estuary is only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the Mozambique border. It is possible to walk from the estuary to Ponta do Ouro in only an hour or so. It is one of the quietest beaches in South Africa. The Kosi River Mouth is known as "the aquarium" because of the clarity of the water and the abundance of fish species.
Bird species in the area include the palm-nut vulture, Pel's fishing owl, white-backed night-heron, and kingfishers. Duiker, hippopotamus, crocodiles and bull sharks are also present, and loggerhead and endangered leatherback sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. The Bay is noted for its aggressive bull shark population. The sharks are locally known as zambesi.Whale sharks and manta rays also visit the area. Whale watching to target mainly humpback whales and dolphins is a growing industry in Kosi Bay region.