uMhlanga Lagoon is a 26 hectares (64 acres) nature reserve on the shore of the Indian Ocean at uMhlanga Rocks, South Africa.[1] The reserve encloses the Ohlanga River's lagoon and mouth.[2] The forest forms a natural extension of the less accessible Hawaan Forest, of which the greater part lies inland of the busy M4 road. The reserve trails start at a car park at the northern end of Lagoon Drive, uMhlanga.
The reserve has picnic sites, the remains of a prehistoric shell midden[3] and walking trails,[2] with a walkway and pedestrian bridge that span the lagoon.
At the mouth of the Ohlanga lagoon, there is a popular but unofficial nudist beach.[4][5][6] Increased use of the area by non-nudist walkers and families resulted in complaints about nudism and antisocial behaviour.[7] The area was at one time a ‘no-go’ area, due to a serious crime problem.[7]
Media related to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve at Wikimedia Commons