List of estuaries of South Africa

This is a list of estuaries in South Africa. The list is in order from East (border with Mozambique) to the West (border with Namibia).

False Bay, Lake St Lucia

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.

List of estuaries in South Africa

NameDrainage area in Km²Province and locationRiver NameCoördinatesSummary / Remarks
Kosi Bay Estuary304KwaZulu-Natal, border Mozambique26°54′S 32°52′E / 26.900°S 32.867°E / -26.900; 32.867Kosi 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 Estuary9542KwaZulu-Natal, Richards Bay28°23′S 32°25′E / 28.383°S 32.417°E / -28.383; 32.417The 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 Estuary11068KwaZulu-Natal, Richards BayMfolozi River, and Msunduzi River28°24′S 32°25′E / 28.400°S 32.417°E / -28.400; 32.417The 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 Estuary3670KwaZulu-Natal, Richards BayMhlathuze River28°51′S 32°03′E / 28.850°S 32.050°E / -28.850; 32.050The 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 Estuary492KwazUlu-Natal, Richards BayMlalazi River28°57′S 31°49′E / 28.950°S 31.817°E / -28.950; 31.817The 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 Estuary900KwazUlu-Natal, Richards BayMatigulu River and Nyoni River29°05′S 31°38′E / 29.083°S 31.633°E / -29.083; 31.633The 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) Estuary29101KwaZulu-Natal, between Richards Bay and DurbanTugela River29°13′S 31°30′E / 29.217°S 31.500°E / -29.217; 31.500The 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 Estuary2829KwaZulu-Natal, north of DurbanMvoti River29°24′S 31°20′E / 29.400°S 31.333°E / -29.400; 31.333The 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 Estuary4432KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanMgeni River29°48′S 31°02′E / 29.800°S 31.033°E / -29.800; 31.033The 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 Bay264KwaZulu-Natal, Durban29°52′S 31°04′E / 29.867°S 31.067°E / -29.867; 31.067Durban 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 Estuary4310KwaZulu-Natal, south of DurbanMkomazi River30°12′S 30°48′E / 30.200°S 30.800°E / -30.200; 30.800The 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 Estuary6745KwaZulu-Natal, Port ShepstoneMzimkulu River30°44′S 30°27′E / 30.733°S 30.450°E / -30.733; 30.450The 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 Estuary1553KwaZulu-Natal, south of Port EdwardMtamvuna River31°04′S 30°12′E / 31.067°S 30.200°E / -31.067; 30.200The 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 Estuary505Eastern Cape, south of Port EdwardMzamba River31°06′S 30°10′E / 31.100°S 30.167°E / -31.100; 30.167The 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 Estuary965Eastern Cape, north of Port St JohnsMtentu River31°15′S 30°03′E / 31.250°S 30.050°E / -31.250; 30.050The 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 Estuary1011Eastern Cape, north of Port St JohnsMsikaba River31°18′S 29°58′E / 31.300°S 29.967°E / -31.300; 29.967The 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 Estuary280Eastern Cape, north of Port St JohnsMzintlava River31°32′S 29°41′E / 31.533°S 29.683°E / -31.533; 29.683The 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 Estuary178Eastern Cape, north of Port St JohnsMntafufu River31°34′S 29°38′E / 31.567°S 29.633°E / -31.567; 29.633The 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 Estuary19853Eastern Cape, Port St JohnsMzimvubu River31°38′S 29°33′E / 31.633°S 29.550°E / -31.633; 29.550The 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 Estuary561Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMngazi River31°41′S 29°27′E / 31.683°S 29.450°E / -31.683; 29.450The 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 Estuary285Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMngazana River31°42′S 29°25′E / 31.700°S 29.417°E / -31.700; 29.417The 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 Estuary493Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMtakatye River31°51′S 29°16′E / 31.850°S 29.267°E / -31.850; 29.267The 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 Estuary2338Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMdumbi River31°56′S 29°13′E / 31.933°S 29.217°E / -31.933; 29.217The 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 Estuary2585Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMtata River31°57′S 29°10′E / 31.950°S 29.167°E / -31.950; 29.167The 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 Estuary438Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsXora River32°10′S 29°00′E / 32.167°S 29.000°E / -32.167; 29.000The 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 Estuary6030Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsMbashe River32°15′S 28°54′E / 32.250°S 28.900°E / -32.250; 28.900The 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 Estuary578Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsNqabara River32°20′S 28°47′E / 32.333°S 28.783°E / -32.333; 28.783The 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 Estuary332Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsShixini River32°24′S 28°43′E / 32.400°S 28.717°E / -32.400; 28.717The 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 Estuary700Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsQora River32°27′S 28°40′E / 32.450°S 28.667°E / -32.450; 28.667The 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 Estuary134Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsNggusi River and Inxaxo River32°35′S 28°31′E / 32.583°S 28.517°E / -32.583; 28.517The 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 Estuary321Eastern Cape, south of Port St JohnsKobonqaba River32°36′S 28°29′E / 32.600°S 28.483°E / -32.600; 28.483The 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 Estuary20566Eastern Cape, north of East LondonGreat Kei River32°41′S 28°23′E / 32.683°S 28.383°E / -32.683; 28.383The 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 Estuary418Eastern Cape, north of East LondonKwelera River32°55′S 28°05′E / 32.917°S 28.083°E / -32.917; 28.083The 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 Estuary665Eastern Cape, north of East LondonGqunube River32°56′S 28°02′E / 32.933°S 28.033°E / -32.933; 28.033The 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 Estuary548Eastern Cape, East LondonNahoon River32°59′S 27°57′E / 32.983°S 27.950°E / -32.983; 27.950The 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 Estuary1279Eastern Cape, East LondonBuffalo River33°02′S 27°55′E / 33.033°S 27.917°E / -33.033; 27.917The 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 Estuary441Eastern Cape, southwest of East LondonTyolomnqa River33°14′S 27°35′E / 33.233°S 27.583°E / -33.233; 27.583The 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 Estuary2745Eastern Cape, between East London and Port AlfredKeiskamma River33°17′S 27°29′E / 33.283°S 27.483°E / -33.283; 27.483The 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 Estuary30366Eastern Cape, near Port AlfredGreat Fish River33°30′S 27°08′E / 33.500°S 27.133°E / -33.500; 27.133The 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 Estuary800Eastern Cape, Port AlfredKowie River33°36′S 26°54′E / 33.600°S 26.900°E / -33.600; 26.900The 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 Estuary685Eastern Cape, Port AlfredKariega River33°41′S 26°44′E / 33.683°S 26.733°E / -33.683; 26.733The 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 Estuary2675Eastern Cape, southwest of Port AlfredBushmans River33°42′S 26°40′E / 33.700°S 26.667°E / -33.700; 26.667The 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 Estuary20990Eastern Cape, northeast of Port ElizabethSundays River33°43′S 25°51′E / 33.717°S 25.850°E / -33.717; 25.850The 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 Estuary1303Eastern Cape, Port ElizabethSwartkops River33°52′S 25°38′E / 33.867°S 25.633°E / -33.867; 25.633The 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 Estuary34635Eastern Cape, west of Port ElizabethGamtoos River33°58′S 25°04′E / 33.967°S 25.067°E / -33.967; 25.067The 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 Estuary1085Eastern Cape, west of Port ElizabethKrom River34°09′S 24°51′E / 34.150°S 24.850°E / -34.150; 24.850The 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 Estuary1080Western Cape, near Plettenberg BayKeurbooms River34°02′S 23°23′E / 34.033°S 23.383°E / -34.033; 23.383The 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 Harbour525Western Cape, KnysnaKnysna River34°05′S 23°04′E / 34.083°S 23.067°E / -34.083; 23.067The 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 Estuary455Western Cape, between Knysna and Mossel BaySedgefield River34°00′S 22°48′E / 34.000°S 22.800°E / -34.000; 22.800The 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 Estuary45715Western Cape, southwest of Mossel BayGoutitz River34°21′S 22°33′E / 34.350°S 22.550°E / -34.350; 22.550}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)1550Western Cape, west of Mossel BayGoukou River34°23′S 21°25′E / 34.383°S 21.417°E / -34.383; 21.417The 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 Estuary1340Western Cape, west of Mossel BayDuiwenhoks River34°22′S 21°00′E / 34.367°S 21.000°E / -34.367; 21.000The 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 Estuary12384Western Cape, west of Mossel BayBree River34°24′S 20°51′E / 34.400°S 20.850°E / -34.400; 20.850The 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 Estuary1400Western Cape, Cape AgulhasHeuningnes River34°42′S 20°07′E / 34.700°S 20.117°E / -34.700; 20.117The 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 Estuary906Western Cape, near HermanusKlein River34°25′S 19°18′E / 34.417°S 19.300°E / -34.417; 19.300The 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 Estuary920Western Cape, northwest of HermanusBot River34°21′S 19°05′E / 34.350°S 19.083°E / -34.350; 19.083The 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 Estuary535Western Cape, west of HermanusPalmiet River34°21′S 19°00′E / 34.350°S 19.000°E / -34.350; 19.000}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 Estuary1495Western Cape, near Cape TownDiep River33°53′S 18°28′E / 33.883°S 18.467°E / -33.883; 18.467The 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 Estuary7715Western Cape, north of Cape TownBerg River32°46′S 18°09′E / 32.767°S 18.150°E / -32.767; 18.150The 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 Estuary1895Western Cape, north of Cape TownVerlorenvlei River32°19′S 18°20′E / 32.317°S 18.333°E / -32.317; 18.333The 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 Estuary46220Western Cape, north of Cape TownOlifants River31°42′S 18°11′E / 31.700°S 18.183°E / -31.700; 18.183The 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)549,700Northern Cape border Namibia north of Port NollothOrange River28°38′S 16°27′E / 28.633°S 16.450°E / -28.633; 16.450The 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.

See also

The Knysna Estuary

References