Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay beaches

Mossel Bay is a small harbour town situated on the Garden Route in the Western Cape.

Understand

A favourite coastal and holiday destination, it has over the years developed into a town of unhurried hospitality, complementing the natural beauty and rich cultural history of the District of Eden. It was here that the first Europeans set foot on southern African shores – commemorated at the Da Gama Museum Complex in the town centre. Washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Mossel Bay offers sandy beaches stretching into the horizon, whale watching in season (June – mid-November), water sport and extreme adventures. The Bay of Attraction, as Mossel Bay is often referred to, is also a paradise for any shopper hunting for local art and craft or maritime objects, and a hub for good entertainment and exquisite dining on the Garden Route.

Get in

By road

Mossel Bay is situated along the Garden Route, connected with the N2 and therefore easily reached from Cape Town in the west, George in the east, and Oudtshoorn in the north. the Minibus taxi rank is at the corner of R102 and Mossel street. There are Minibus taxis going to Cape Town.

By train

There is a daily train to George via Hartenbos, Great Brak River and Little Brak River.

This service will only operate as long as the regular Outeniqua Choo Tjoe train between George and Knysna is suspended (due to severe flooding and landslides in 2006).

By plane

Scheduled flights serving the Garden Route region use the George Airport (GRJ ^IATA), which is 40 km east of Mossel Bay's CBD and is owned and managed by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA). George Airport offers scheduled flights to and from Cape Town International Airport, Durban's King Shaka International Airport, and Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Mossel Bay Airfield is certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority for use by non-scheduled flights and private planes. Air traffic is controlled by George Airport.

Facilities: control tower, taxiways, runway lights, fueling facilities, and complimentary tie-down facilities. The airfield is the home of the Mossel Bay Aero Club, which has a clubhouse lounge with bar and kitchen, restaurant facilities & braai (BBQ) areas for members' and guests' use. Fixed wing and Helicopter Flight training as well as tandem skydiving are offered.

By boat

View of Harbour and Yacht Club

The Port of Mossel Bay is the smallest commercial harbour on the South African coast. It caters mostly for the oil industry (off-shore gas was discovered in late 1980s), and for a small fishing fleet.

Get around

You can easily walk around the city centre, but taking a car to some of the outside destinations or restaurants is favourable.

See

• 1 Bartholomeu Dias Museum Complex, 1 Market St, ☏ +27 44 691-1067, info@diasmuseum.co.za. M-F 9AM-4:45PM, Sa Su 9AM-3:45PM. This museum has expansive waterfront gardens, and exhibits which include reconstruction of the ship itself. You can go on board for an extra fee. Allow several hours to visit the entire site.  

Replica of Diaz's ship

St. Blaize Cave and lighthouse

• 2 Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse. Lighthouse above Mossel Bay. (updated Jun 2018)
• 3 Pinnacle Point. An archaeological site, with remains of early human activity from around 100,000 years ago. One of three components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa". (updated Jul 2024)

Do

• Take a boat ride to the seal island near the harbour.
• Visit the market at Hartenbos beach.
• Buy some wine and go sit at the cliffs in the southern part of the town, enjoying the view of the ocean. You can sometimes see whales from the headland.
• Walk along one of the world's most beautiful beaches, packed solid in holiday season, empty in the 22 degree winter.
• Sail at Mossel Bay Yacht Club.
• Skydive Mossel Bay, Mossel Bay Airport, ☏ +27 82 824 8599, info@skydivemosselbay.com. 

Buy

Get one (or more) of the nice handmade crafts in the Craft Shop next to the Tourism Info. You won't get souvenirs from Kenya, China or other countries - here you can buy pure Mossel Bay only.

• Skydive Mossel Bay (Skydiving), Mossel Bay Airfield (30 09'30S - 22 03'44E), ☏ +27 82 824-8599. daylight. Tandem skydive in the Garden Route with a fabulous option to land on the beach of the Indian Ocean coastline. R1500. 

Eat

The beaches offer a variety of very good restaurants (mainly fresh fish).

• 1 Cafe Gannet, 1 Market St (Next to the Dias museum complex), ☏ +27 44 691 1885, eat@cafegannet.co.za. 07.00-22.00 daily. Established in 1988, it is known as "Mossel Bay's seafood House", but aside from seafood they also serve meats, vegetarian dishes, pizza and gelato ice cream! (updated Mar 2019)
• 2 Carola Ann's, 12 Church St, ☏ +27 64 154 6393. M-F 08:00 - 16:30 Sa 08:00-13:30. A lunch-open café serving Middle Eastern cuisine. (updated Mar 2019)
• 3 Kaai 4 Braai Restaurant, Quay 4 Harbour, ☏ +27 79 980 3981. M-Sa 09:00-22:00 Su 09.00-20.00. A relaxed beach bar and restaurant. Their name translates into "Pier for Barbeque". (updated Mar 2019)

Sleep

The Pinnacle Point archaeological site

• 1 Avenues Guesthouse, 23, 21st Ave, ☏ +27 44 691-1097. Situated on top of Mossel Bay, this is a place of tranquility with personal touch and attentive care. They offer comfortable en suite bedrooms (partly with DSTV) and a family unit, solar-heated saltwater pool, secure parking and internet access. Close to golf courses, beaches, hiking trails, restaurants and sightseeing spots. German and English spoken. From R260 per person sharing per night B&B. 
• Bantry House, ☏ +27 44 691-1995. A very nice establishment, situated above the bay and harbour. All four-star rooms have seaview and from here you will see one of the best sunrises in the world. Breakfast is served and wide range of drinks is available all day. Walking to town and the beach, as well as many restaurants is easy and parking available. From R300pps. 
• Botlierskop Private Game Reserve (Near the R328 between Oudtshoorn and Mosselbay), ☏ +27 44 696-6055, info@botlierskop.co.za. A private game reserve, where you can stay for the night, spend a day or just eat in their superb restaurant. The higher prices means a lot of inclusions, game drives, meals, etc. In low season R550-R2560pps and in high season R2107-R3120pps. 
• Santos Express, ☏ +27 44 691-1995, beds@santosexpress.co.za. An old train parked right at the beach. You sleep on the train in compartments. Comfort is mediocre but it's worth the experience and prices are affordable. R490 per room. (updated Jun 2023)
• Dolphin House Backpackers (Dolphin House self-catering), 15 Marsh St (Across the street from Trawlers Restaurant and Pub, and next to Patrick's Restaurant and Pub), ☏ +27 44 690-6446. Offers 24-hour friendly self-catering and backpacker accommodation located close to The Point in Mossel Bay and within walking distance to attractions and amenities. dorm R 140 pp. 
• Mossel Bay Backpackers, 1 Marsh street, ☏ +27 44-6913182. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. dorm beds. from R150 per person. (updated Jun 2015)
• Park House Lodge, 121 high (hoog) street, ☏ +27 44-6911937. dorm beds from R150 pp. (updated Jun 2015)

Go next

• Continue along the Garden Route