Maputaland is home to several unique game and nature reserves. The Sodwana Bay Coastal Reserve provides an ocean wonderland for scuba divers and snorkellers to explore the undersea forests of coral reefs thick with brilliantly coloured tropical fish. The magnificent Lake Sibayi provides another water-based natural wonderland on the way north. In the far north of Maputaland the unspoilt natural area of the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve combines a marine sanctuary with a wildlife reserve for those who delight in exploring a range of environments. From the Kosi Bay Marine Reserve in the north, marine sanctuaries extend southwards to include the Maputaland Marine Sanctuary, the Sodwana Bay National Park, and the St Lucia Marine Reserve down to Cape Vidal. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is a wilderness reserve comprising Lake St Lucia and its estuary, a number of islands, a surround of wildlife reserve and a portion of the Marine Reserve along the coast. It offers some of the highest and most thickly forested sand dunes in the world, but perhaps the most exciting experience of St Lucia is on and around the 36 000 hectare lake itself. A trip by boat on the lake provides encounters with pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills, crocodiles, fish eagles and hippos, amongst some of the more exotic of the area's inhabitants, and is an experience of a lifetime. The coast of this area provides a special experience during November for this is when the sea turtles come to the beaches to lay their eggs. Whales can also be seen off the coast during June to September as they slowly make their way southwards. By contrast the Tembe Elephant Reserve on the border with Moçambique, provides those interested in drier pursuits with close encounters with some of Africa's largest mammals including herds of elephants. The Ndumo Reserve, also on the Moçambique border, provides another opportunity for exploration and discovery in one of Africa's wild places and is home to over 400 bird species.