Fun things to do
Knysna is a town with 51,000 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province, South Africa and is part of the famous Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.
From the variety of museums to an array of live entertainment and sporting events to wonderful restaurants serving up incredible local and international cuisine to shopping streets laden with wares of yesteryear and today, the whole of the city provide virtually an endless selection of enlightening, entertaining and fascinating points of interest. Knysna is best known for it’s delicacy, the oyster, and many festivals held throughout the year.
Gericke’s Point
Gericke’s Point is a true treasure located about 20 minutes from Knysna. This beautiful beach has a lot to offer: a paragliding launch platform, the highest fossil dunes in South Africa and Humpback dolphins are only a few examples of what there is. So whenever you are in the neighbourhood a small detour to Gericke’s Point will surely be worthwhile.
Buffalo Bay
Inside of the Goukamma Nature Reserve you find the beloved Buffalo Bay Beach. You will never get tired of this beautiful landscape. And whether you want to go surfing, swimming or go a nice beach-hike, Buffalo Bay offers it all. Go take in the atmosphere yourself and find out why everyone loves this beach.
Cola Beach
Cola Beach at Sedgefield is located a little bit outside of Knysna, but it is definitely worth visiting. This tranquil beach never gets extremely busy, so it is an ideal spot to relax and reload your batteries. Because of the beautiful and strong waves, Cola Beach is also a little hidden surfers’ paradise.
Myoli Beach
The crystal clear water and shiny sand make Myoli Beach in Sedgefield a very popular spot. Myoli Beach attracts lots of sporty people because of the wake-boarding, kite-surfing and other water activities, but people who just want to enjoy the sun and relax are of course also more than welcome.
Coney Glen
Coney Glen is a picture perfect beach away from the busy everyday life. The water is super refreshing on a summer day and the sand perfect to lie out your towel and read a book. You can easily spend to whole day at Coney Glen, but bring your own picnic with you as there are no shops around Noetziend.
Goukamma
When driving through Buffalo Bay keep your eyes open for the Goukamma Beach Sign, because following these signs will lead you to a beautiful small beach. During peak season a small entry fee has to be paid, but it is worth it for sure. The beach is located near the Goukamma River which has a nice warm temperature.
The Green Hole
Located on the Knysna Lagoon you find The Green Hole Beach. This beautiful beach is ideal for a day filled with joy and laughter. The Green Hole family-friendly beach has changing scenery according to the tides: high tide means that there will be almost no sand, but do not worry, you can sit on the green lawns.
Knysna Golf Club
Knysna Golf Club is nestled on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon on the Garden Route and close to the Heads. Our 18-hole course meanders through tidal pools and between magnificent indigenous trees with long par-5s, tricky par-3s and some challenging par-4s. It is an enjoyable test for every level of golfer.A testing links/parkland layout which has been enhanced over the past ten years, it has some of the best greens in the Southern Cape and has many natural hazards.Although Knysna Golf course is flat and easy to walk, it still provides players of all levels with a good challenge and is an affordable golfing experience not to be missed while touring the area.
– Howard Street Hunters Home Knysna, 6570 Phone: +27 (0)44 384 1150
Pezula Golf Course
Pezula Championship Golf Course is located in the Western Cape of South Africa in the picturesque town of Knysna, the jewel of the world famous Garden Route. This stunningly beautiful golf course is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. The breathtaking, award-winning 18-hole golf course, designed by David Dale and Ronald Fream of GolfPlan USA, offers visitors who wish to play the ultimate golf course in Knysna, an unsurpassed golf experience, and rates amongst the best and the most scenic golf courses in the world. In 2001, just a few months after it opened, the course was awarded Best New Golf Course in South Africa. Each year the Compleat Golfer has rated it a five star experience. The Pezula Golf Club offers Clubhouse facilities that are in keeping with the overall five-star experience, and includes a terrace with spectacular views, restaurant, bar, golf shop, short game practice area and putting green. The Shareholders’ Lounge houses a library, private lounge, dining area and bar. Golf carts are obligatory. Proper golf attire applies and short socks are permitted. Soft spikes are compulsory. Rental sets of golf clubs are available for guests who do not bring their own clubs. Tee times must be booked in advance and handicaps are required. Golf lessons are available from the Club’s PGA Professionals.
– Pezula Championship Course 1 Lagoon View Drive Sparrebosch Knysna, 6571 Phone: +27(0)44 302 5320
Simola Golf and Country Estate
Ask anyone what strikes them most about Simola Golf & Country Estate – and sure, they’ll mention its rare natural beauty, the challenge and honour of playing our Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (one of only about 200 in the world), the elegant comfort of the Simola Hotel, Country Club & Spa, and the unique investment opportunities you’ll find here. But most of all, they’ll tell you that Simola feels like home. A luxurious home, of course. But a friendly home indeed.
– Contact the Simola Pro Shop: Phone: +27 (0)44 302 9677 Email: golf@simola.co.za
Sparrebosch Fisherman’s Walk
This is another example of what makes hiking on the Garden Route so spectacular: the Sparrebosch Fisherman’s Walk combines lush forest and rugged coastline and includes a waterfall — and all of this in a hike of less than 5km return! The path starts out along the fence separating the Sparrebosch and Pezula estates before it heads down to the coastline. The first half of the trail is in the deep shade of the coastal forest. It is worth taking the short diversion to see the waterfall. The final section of the trail heads steeply out of the river valley and up over the ridge. From here you will have spectacular views of the two luxury estates with their houses commanding views of the rugged coastline and the rough ocean. The trail then becomes extremely steep as it drops down to the beach.
Circles in a Forest Trail
This is a magical forest hike in the Millwood section of the Knysna Forest, north-west of Knysna itself. Fans of the books “Kringe in ‘n Bos” will find this walk especially poignant as info boards describe the trees so often mentioned in the book as well as the fact that the trail starts and finishes at the Dalene Mathee Memorial. The trail is well maintained, and in addition to the interesting info boards there are route markers at each kilometre and at the one main intersection (where the shorter 3km route leaves the main trail). There is a beautiful stream and waterfall with a deep pool for a quick (skinny) dip! There are ablutions at the trailhead, as well as a water tank for you to fill up your water bottles.
Perdekop TrailDistance: 9.5km loop
This hike is in indigenous forest in the Harkerville Section (between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay) of the Knysna Forest. The route takes you to an enticing little dam in which you are not allowed to swim! Do not despair, as it immediately makes a clever little detour to a waterfall and pool just below the dam where you can take a dip. The route shares sections of trail with the famous Harkerville MTB Routes. Hikers have right of way, however, it is probably wise to step off the trail when you hear them approaching as you are more likely to hear them before they see you, and you will have to step off the trail for them in any case. The route is extremely well-marked; just as well as there are a number of trails criss-crossing in this area. You are following the signs with the horse’s head on them, and remember: the horse’s nose points the direction you must follow.
The Garden Of Eden walk
This is along wooden boardwalks designed to be wheelchair-friendly and to give the feeling of being in the forest all by yourself. Experience giant moss and lichen covered trees, dappled sunlight, moss and streams. It is recommended to take along a picnic basket to soak up the surroundings from the wooden tables and chairs along the path. The Garden of Eden is signposted off the N2, on the right, about 15 kms from Plettenberg Bay towards Knysna. There is a small entrance fee to help maintain the forest.
Knysna features many restaurants with many different cuisine choices. Knysna is well-known for it’s oysters though.
The Olive Tree is local favourite which has a casual setting all packed with the candlelight setting and white linens. They have a wood burning oven where they cook their pizza and roast their baby kingklip. They also serve other delicious dishes like seafood curry. They also have vegetarian offerings. Tel: 044 382 5867 Main Road (N2).
Caffe Mario. If you are looking for delicious Italian food with a South African touch, Caffe Mario is the place to be. Everyone agrees that this restaurant serves the best pizzas of Knysna and surroundings. This busy place welcomes all its guests with open arms and the friendly staff will do everything they can to give you an enjoyable night out. www.knysnawaterfront.com Tel: 044 382 7250 Shop No. 9 Knysna Waterfront.
Sirocco is on the water’s edge of Thesen Harbour Town. The restaurant is suggestively named after the warm wind that blows across the Mediterranean. The menu consists of sushi, pizza, oysters and cocktails. Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner in this trendy and vibrant social hub.They offer a transfer service to and from the Restaurant. Tel: 044 382 487428 Thesen Island house.
Freshline Fisheries is an outdoor beach restaurant. They serve a selection of fresh seafood dishes on their beach in a relaxed atmosphere. Guests can enjoy the WesKus (West Coast) braai or they can choose from their choice of classics like Fish and Chips, and many more. Everything that Freshline Fisheries offers makes it the special place that it is. Not licensed for alcohol so bring Your Own Drinks – No corkage! Bookings advised Tel: 044 382 3131Railway Siding Dockyard. Behind Tait Marine.
34 Degrees South. Also known as ‘the home of Knysna oysters’, The place has no distinctive identity because it’s not really a bar, a restaurant or a deli, but it’s definitely a place where people can come and socialize. At 34 South, you can leave this place with a belly full of seafood or home-baked bread and as a parting gift; you can leave with wine, some goodies from their deli or something tasty from their sushi bar. www.34south.biz Tel: 044 382 7331 Shop No.19 Knysna Waterfront.
Tapas and Oysters has a relaxed atmosphere that puts guests at ease and their dishes are affordable. Spanish cuisine and seafood are mainly served at this restaurant, but they also serve other types of cuisines. The restaurant’s name tells customers what they can expect from this place. Tapas and Oyster opens seven days a week, from 11am until late. www.tapasknysna.co.za Tel: 044 382 7196 E-mail: info@tapasknysna.co.za Thesen Island.
Cruise Cafe is famous for its seafood and current styled food. Guests can enjoy the coffees and classy cocktails that sets them apart from other establishments. This place also serves really great steaks. Cruise Cafe offers its guests some magnificent views while they enjoy the tasty breakfast, healthy lunches and delicious dinners from their exquisite and extensive menu. www.knysnafeatherbed.com Tel: 044 382 1693 E-mail: bookings@featherbed.co.za Remembrance Drive.