Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is often considered the western gateway to the Garden Route. It is a larger and more industrial town than the other stops along the Garden Route, yet it possesses an undeniable historical charm and generous natural surroundings that make it a worthwhile destination.

A town steeped in history Mossel Bay is one of the most significant sites in the history of European maritime exploration in Africa. It was here that Bartolomeu Dias landed in 1488, becoming the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope and reach the shores of the Indian Ocean. Shortly after, Vasco da Gama also stopped here in 1497 on his voyage to India. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum is dedicated to this fascinating history and houses a full-scale replica of Dias’s caravel. There is also the famous Post Office Tree — a centuries-old giant milkwood tree under which Portuguese sailors would leave messages inside a boot for the crews of passing ships, a form of prehistoric postal service that actually worked.

The climate Mossel Bay enjoys one of the best climates in South Africa, regularly cited as the second best in the world after the Canary Islands according to some statistics. Generous sunshine, mild temperatures year-round and little rainfall — a considerable advantage over other Garden Route towns such as Knysna or Wilderness, which can be quite rainy.

The beaches The bay offers several beautiful beaches with relatively calm and sheltered waters, which is quite rare along the southern coast. Santos Beach is renowned for being one of the only north-facing beaches in South Africa, giving it exceptional sunshine and warmer-than-average waters. It is a much-loved family beach.

Marine wildlife Mossel Bay is an excellent base for great white shark watching. The area is one of the few places in the world where these animals congregate in numbers, drawn by the seal colonies on nearby islands. Shark cage diving excursions departing from Mossel Bay are regarded as among the best in the world for this experience. Dolphins, whales (during the winter season) and African penguins on nearby islands can also be spotted.

Adventure activities Mossel Bay is a hub for sport and adventure activities. The surfing is excellent, with well-known breaks such as The Point, which offers one of the longest right-hand waves in South Africa. Paragliding, quad biking, sea kayaking and scuba diving are also on offer.

Hartenbos and Great Brak River In the immediate surroundings of Mossel Bay lie small seaside towns such as Hartenbos, very popular with Afrikaans-speaking families during the summer, and Great Brak River, a charming village with a tranquil lagoon, ideal for a peaceful stopover.

The oil industry To be straightforward about it: Mossel Bay is also home to significant offshore oil and gas infrastructure, with platforms visible from the coastline. This gives the town a more industrial feel than its neighbours, with a busy working harbour. It is not a dealbreaker, but it does contribute to an atmosphere quite different from the bucolic gentleness of Wilderness or the raw wilderness of Storms River.