The Knysna Quays in the town of Knysna is next to a stylish marina, where luxury crafts languish in the yacht basin and ferries launch trips out across the lagoon or to sea. This part of South Africa’s southern coastline is regarded as the heart of the Garden Route, one of the country’s greatest tourist attractions.
The Knysna Quays waterfront has an ultra-chic collection of trendy boutiques, souvenir kiosks, speciality shops, coffee bars and restaurants. The Quays are less than a kilometre away from downtown Knysna making it the ideal midway location from which to enjoy your holiday.
Knysna is blessed with natural splendour; magical forests, immense freshwater lakes, estuaries and unspoilt beaches (not to forget the elusive Knysna elephant) – it’s no wonder that the town is one of South Africa’s favourite destinations.
Things to do
Visit one of the many beaches in and around Knysna. Bollard Bay Beach on Leisure Isle has gentle waves ideal for a fun family outing, while Brenton on Sea has much larger waves and is also an excellent fishing spot from a rocky outcrop known as Castle Rock.
Hop on one of the ferries docked at the waterfront quayside for a trip to the Knysna Heads and the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
You can start to relax with a visit to the Le Spa Tranquille at nearby Thesen’s Island.
Knysna is conveniently located within easy driving distances of the Knysna Elephant Park, the Bloukrans Bridge (bungee jumping), forest trails, the Noetzie castles and many other places of interest.
Where to Eat
34° South is a gastropub offering a wide selection of dishes on their deck overlooking the waterfront. Good Italian coffee on tap.
Die Gieter Deli & Restaurant in Knysna classify their food as boere kos (farm food) beautifully prepared with fresh ingredients direct from the farm and nicely priced.
The Bell Tavern at the Belvidere Manor hotel sells mouth-watering, old fashioned favourites such as pot pies and fish & chips to be appreciated in a quaint old building with yellowwood ceiling and ironwood block floor.
Sip cocktails on the deck before delving into fresh shellfish dishes at Sirocco in the Thesen Harbour Town. The restaurant also serves first-rate light meals . Good selection of wines to compliment your meal.
Night Life
The subdued live entertainment at Noah's Cocktail Bar in the Conrad Pezula hotel creates a relaxed ambience for good conversation over a few cocktails.
Where to Stay
Tastefully furnished apartments with decks over the lagoon and all the necessary conveniences are on offer at Knysna Quays. The area is extremely secure and private moorings directly off the patio are available for visiting vessels.
Transport
Air The nearest airport is George Airport, 70km from Knysna.
Car Several car rental agencies are based in Knysna and at George airport , or you could order a rental online.
Taxi There are a number of metered taxi companies in Knysna. Shuttle service operators transport visitors between George Airport and Knysna.
Did you know?
Look out over the Knysna Lagoon and you will see wooden racks floating on the water. These are beds used by oyster farmers to breed the Pacific varieties of oyster enjoyed by visitors, and the reason why the annual Knysna Oyster Festival is so popular. Indigenous Knysna oysters do not thrive in the lagoon and are slow growing.
Knysna was once so wooded that the forested area was avoided and regarded as being too dense through which to travel…and man’s justifiable fear of surprising a forest elephant.
