For decades, Mossel Bay (the Bay of Mussels) has been a favourite location for a South African holiday.
It is a port town, approximately half-way between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, and close by to George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn.
Mossel Bay is well known for its Mossgas gas-to-liquids refinery, but more appealingly, for its mussels and oysters, its abundant marlin, pretty beaches and friendly residents and business owners. The holiday town has lovely weather in summer that is ideal for those who plan to go swimming, and mild winters that still afford the opportunity for many activities.
There are plenty of wonderful options for accommodation in Mossel Bay, although you may like to base your choice on whether you would like to be nearer to the sea or the city. Mossel Bay, however, is not that large, and it therefore only takes a few minutes to travel anywhere.
This lovely town has an amazing 60 kilometres of beach and is considered as one of South Africa’s prime whale and dolphin watching destinations. Southern right whales are a popular sight between May and September, as well as the Sperm whale, and you may even be lucky enough to spot a Killer whale or a Bryde’s whale. The types of dolphins in the area include the Bottlenose, Common and Humpback dolphin. If you would like to get closer to the marine action, you can go on a boat whale watching tour. Deep sea fishing is also another very popular activity.
Accommodation Options
Attractions in Mossel Bay
Hartenbos Waterpark
For lots of water fun the whole family can visit the Hartenbos Waterpark. It has a large selection of water slides and other forms of entertainment, and is also next to an amusement park and miniature golf course. At the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve you can build a close connection with three extraordinary elephants, by the names of Sam, Tsotsi and Tsima. If you are daring you can even go for an elephant-back ride! While you are in Mossel Bay, a trip to the Pinnacle Point Caves on a Point of Human Origins Tour is highly recommended. The tour involves an in-depth look at how modern human behaviour began and includes a look into the caves.
Museums and Buildings
There are a number of interesting museums and buildings to visit in Mossel Bay. The Maritime Museum is usually at the top of the list with its life-size replica of the caravel that was sailed to Mossel Bay by Bartholomew Diaz. This museum has plenty of other attractions and is included in the Diaz Museum Complex, along with the Granary and Culture Museum, the Shell Museum and Aquarium, the Post Office Tree and the Munro Hoek Cottage and Malay graves. Another museum worth a visit is the ATKV Hartenbos Museum that shows the different stages of the Great Trek.
Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse
Santos Beach Pavilion
The Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse is one of South Africa’s lighthouses that have been manned 24-hours a day for the longest of periods. It is a beautiful building that began its construction in 1862 and stands 20.5 metres high. It can be viewed by the public from April to October, between 10am and 3pm every day. At other times of the year, viewings must be arranged.
In 1906 the Santos Beach Pavilion was completed, and was used as a meeting place for the community and as a reception building for prominent people in the early 1900’s. Although it was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1979, it has been restored and now consists of private apartments and the Santos Pavilion Restaurant.
More reasons to visit Mossel Bay:
- Walking and hiking trails.
- Seal Island and sunset cruises.
- Shark cage diving.
- Sandboarding.
- An enormous selection of fine cafes and restaurants.
- Skydiving.
- Surfing.
- Deep sea fishing.
- The Goods Shed Flea Market.
- 4×4 trails on the sand dunes or in the Outeniqua Nature Reserve.
- Horse riding trails.
- Wine tasting at the Cool Bay vineyards.
- Mountain bike trails.
- The Ethno Botanical Garden and Braille Trail.
- Fishing at the Botlierskop Game Reserve.
- The Garden Route Casino.
- The Mossel Bay Historic Walk.
- Helicopter flights for breathtaking views of the Garden Route from the sky.
- The Langeberg Mall for shopping fun.
- The Mossel Bay Craft Art Workshop for some unique gifts.
Beaches nearby Mossel Bay:
- Boggomsbaai Beach.
- Dana Bay Beach.
- De Bakke Beach.
- Eiland Beach.
- Glentana Beach.
- Hartenbos Beach.
- Little Brak Beach.
- Pinnacle Point Beach.
- Reebok Beach.
- Santos Beach.
- The Point Beach.
Enquire Now
- Accommodation
- [us_blog columns=”3″ items=”9″ categories=”mossel-bay” layout=”tiles” img_size=”us_350_350_crop” show_date=”” show_author=”” show_categories=”” show_tags=”” show_comments=”” show_read_more=”” filter=””]
Accommodation Options
- Attractions
Attractions in Mossel Bay
Hartenbos Waterpark
For lots of water fun the whole family can visit the Hartenbos Waterpark. It has a large selection of water slides and other forms of entertainment, and is also next to an amusement park and miniature golf course. At the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve you can build a close connection with three extraordinary elephants, by the names of Sam, Tsotsi and Tsima. If you are daring you can even go for an elephant-back ride! While you are in Mossel Bay, a trip to the Pinnacle Point Caves on a Point of Human Origins Tour is highly recommended. The tour involves an in-depth look at how modern human behaviour began and includes a look into the caves.
Museums and Buildings
There are a number of interesting museums and buildings to visit in Mossel Bay. The Maritime Museum is usually at the top of the list with its life-size replica of the caravel that was sailed to Mossel Bay by Bartholomew Diaz. This museum has plenty of other attractions and is included in the Diaz Museum Complex, along with the Granary and Culture Museum, the Shell Museum and Aquarium, the Post Office Tree and the Munro Hoek Cottage and Malay graves. Another museum worth a visit is the ATKV Hartenbos Museum that shows the different stages of the Great Trek.
Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse
Santos Beach Pavilion
The Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse is one of South Africa’s lighthouses that have been manned 24-hours a day for the longest of periods. It is a beautiful building that began its construction in 1862 and stands 20.5 metres high. It can be viewed by the public from April to October, between 10am and 3pm every day. At other times of the year, viewings must be arranged.
In 1906 the Santos Beach Pavilion was completed, and was used as a meeting place for the community and as a reception building for prominent people in the early 1900’s. Although it was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1979, it has been restored and now consists of private apartments and the Santos Pavilion Restaurant.
More reasons to visit Mossel Bay:
- Walking and hiking trails.
- Seal Island and sunset cruises.
- Shark cage diving.
- Sandboarding.
- An enormous selection of fine cafes and restaurants.
- Skydiving.
- Surfing.
- Deep sea fishing.
- The Goods Shed Flea Market.
- 4×4 trails on the sand dunes or in the Outeniqua Nature Reserve.
- Horse riding trails.
- Wine tasting at the Cool Bay vineyards.
- Mountain bike trails.
- The Ethno Botanical Garden and Braille Trail.
- Fishing at the Botlierskop Game Reserve.
- The Garden Route Casino.
- The Mossel Bay Historic Walk.
- Helicopter flights for breathtaking views of the Garden Route from the sky.
- The Langeberg Mall for shopping fun.
- The Mossel Bay Craft Art Workshop for some unique gifts.
Beaches nearby Mossel Bay:
- Boggomsbaai Beach.
- Dana Bay Beach.
- De Bakke Beach.
- Eiland Beach.
- Glentana Beach.
- Hartenbos Beach.
- Little Brak Beach.
- Pinnacle Point Beach.
- Reebok Beach.
- Santos Beach.
- The Point Beach.
- Enquire
Enquire Now
Mossel Bay is a great place to be for a wedding or honeymoon or simply a holiday on the beach. This beautiful town can be one of several stops on your travel itinerary or a destination on its own. East Cape Tours specialises in Garden Route towns and cities and can therefore arrange the best rates for accommodation. Contact us when you are ready to enjoy all that Mossel Bay has to offer!