Sodwana, a Zulu word meaning "little one on its own", was once a base for gun runners and ivory hunters but is today, a popular world tourist destination and scuba diver and fisherman's paradise. Sodwana Bay is situated on the Kwazulu Natal north coast, within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park between St. Lucia and Lake Sibhayi, and lies adjacent to Africa's southern-most coral reefs.

The area forms part of an uninterrupted protected area running 150 km from the Mozambique border south towards to Cape Vidal and stretching 3 nautical miles seaward. The many vibrant coral reefs and outstanding climate of Sodwana Bay Nature reserve, has over the years made it one of the best sport diving destinations in the world. With consistently good visibility and water temperatures that seldom drop below 21 centigrade, Sodwana Bay has become a haven for snorkellers as well as the more adventurous scuba divers. There are many popular dive sites with a wide diversity of underwater seascapes and marine flora and fauna including branching, plate and table corals, drop-offs, mushroom rocks, and beautiful overhangs, as well as spectacular night dives. Due to the fact that Sodwana is only four hours from Durban by car, and just as easily accessible from Johannesburg, it has become known as the Mecca of South African diving.

Other than scuba diving, visitors to the area can also take part in fishing. With large offshore populations of Kingfish, Blue and Black Marlin, and Saltfish among others, it is ensured that deep sea anglers are as hooked on Sodwana Bay as are divers.

Other activities in Sodwana Bay include boating, bird watching and hiking, with an interesting 5km self guided trail on offer for avid birdwatchers. During the summer months visitors can look forward to seeing the loggerhead and leatherback turtles which come out of the sea at night to nest on the beaches.