15 cool things to do in Knysna, the jewel of the Garden Route

Knysna’s undeniable holiday destination appeal can be attributed to its million-dollar views, welcoming locals and an exciting array of land- and water-based experiences set against the town’s unrivalled natural beauty of indigenous forests, miles of beaches and glittering lagoons.

Also read: Garden Route on the list of most romantic road trips in the world!

Knysna is a coastal town in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Its vibrant tourism industry, including its popularity among local visitors, is partly due to its picturesque scenery, thanks to its location on the banks of the Knysna Lagoon.

The oyster industry, scenic drives, and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and water sports are all popular in the town. Knysna also has a number of historic and cultural attractions, such as the Knysna Heads cliffs and the Knysna Forest, a dense, indigenous forest with a diverse range of wildlife.

Here are 15 things to do in Knysna you can include in your next holiday itinerary:

1. Marine eco-tour

Picture: Ocean Odyssey Knysna / Facebook

This tour will take you across the calm waters of the Knysna Estuary, through the impressive Knysna Heads, and out onto the vast Indian Ocean.

It will also teach you about the diverse marine environment that Knysna is home to. During your trip, you might be lucky enough to see Bryde’s whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and many types of pelagic birds as you admire the beautiful Garden Route coastline.

• Location: TH22 Long Street, Thesen Island Harbour Town, Knysna
• Times: 3 daily departures at 9.30am, 12pm and 3pm
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Cost: Adults: R1,040 | Kids under 12 years: R780
• Contact: 082 852 9402 | info@oceanodyssey.co.za
• Website: oceanodyssey.co.za

2. SUP around Thesen Island

Picture: visitknysna.co.za

Stand-up paddling (SUP) allows you to traverse the waters in a way that’s adventurous without requiring too much work. Thesen Island’s calm waterways are perfect for this mode of transportation, or you can explore the lagoon’s deeper waters to find undiscovered inlets and coves.

If you’d prefer to explore at your own pace, SUP boards are available for hire at R240 per hour.

• Location: TH22 Long Street, Thesen Island Harbour Town, Knysna
• Hours: 4 daily departures at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm
• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: R375
• Contact: 082 852 9402 | info@oceanodyssey.co.za
• Website: oceanodyssey.co.za

3. Scootour through Knysna Forest

Picture: Scootours Knysna / Facebook

A “scootour” through Knysna Forest is a one-of-a-kind forest experience.

On the Monster Mountain Scooter, a Swiss-designed non-motorised vehicle, you’ll experience an exhilarating descent through indigenous forest and sleepy bends. The best hills to start your descent are in the Garden Route National Park, which is reached after a scenic minibus ride that takes you deep into the forest. All of this while keeping an eye out for the majestic Knysna loerie, the wary bushbuck, and the wild boar that live in the area.

All trips are guided by professional, qualified guides. All scooters can handle one adult with a child passenger.

• Location: 23 Sawtooth Lane, Thesen Island, Knysna
• Hours: 3 daily departures at 9am, 12p, and 3pm
• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: R600
• Contact: 079 148 3751 | knysna@scootours.co.za
• Website: scootours.co.za

4. Oyster tour

Picture: Knysna Charters / Facebook

A visit to Knysna wouldn’t be complete without trying the area’s world-famous oysters, and on this tour, you can do so while cruising the Knysna Lagoon in tranquil surroundings.

You’ll get a thorough introduction to the salty delicacy, along with a description of the distinctions between wild and farmed oysters. Of course, champagne is the obvious complement, so for an additional fee, you can enhance the experience with some fine MCC (white wine is complimentary).

• Location: 23 Sawtooth Lane, Thesen Island, Knysna
• Hours: Daily departure at 3pm
• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Cost: Adults: R700 | Children under 13: R375 | Snack platter: R100 | Bottle of MCC Paul Rene: R320 | Extra oysters: R120 | Kids’ activity pack: R50
• Contact: 082 892 0469 | info@knysnacharters.com
• Website: knysnacharters.com/oyster-tour

5. Sparrebosch Fisherman’s Walk

Picture: alltrails.com

This extremely varied walk includes sections of forest, mountain and beach. On the way back, the first ascent is quite steep and has some loose rocks, making the path potentially treacherous. On windy days, it works well because one hardly feels the wind at all in the forest.

The beach at the bottom of the hill is absolutely stunning. Bring some water and snacks with you in case you get hungry on the way back up.

Find out more about this trail and others here.

• Intensity: Moderate | There is quite a steep hill on the way back from the beach
• Duration and elevation: 4.2 kilometres | 203 metres of elevation gain
• Location: Sparrebosch, Knysna | Coordinates: S34 03.917 E23 06.193
• Permit and cost: Self issue permit, no costs.

6. A scenic cruise on the Knysna Lagoon

Picture: Ocean Sailing Charters

Learn what sets this luxury catamaran apart from the rest of the fleet. You can have lunch or an afternoon sail on Knysna Lagoon, both of which provide up-close views of the various famous sights along the way. Relax and take in the breathtaking vistas.

Experience the magic of a sail on the Knysna Lagoon for one hour and four minutes, during which time you will learn about the Knysna Heads and explore the Indian Ocean.

• Location: Sirocco Jetty Thesen Island | Sirocco, Thesen Island, Knysna
• Hours: 3 daily departures | departure times vary according to season
• Duration: 1 hour 4o minutes | 2 hours 10 minutes
• Cost: Adults: R790 – R890 | Children under 12: R640 – R740
• Contact: 076 761 0353 | info@oceansailingcharters.co.za
• Website: oceansailingcharters.co.za

7. The Friday Market at Knysna Montessori School

Picture: The Friday Market at Knysna Montessori School / Facebook

This well-established market is held every Friday at the Knysna Montessori School from the end of September to the end of May.

Enjoy live music from a local musician while sampling delectable fare from a variety of food stalls and a drink from the licenced bar. Bonfires can keep you warm in the winter.

Children can run around and look at the free-roaming bunnies while playing on the jungle gym or at the games stall.

• Location: Knysna Montessori School | Welbedacht Lane, Knysna
• Hours: September to May | Friday 4pm – 8pm
• Contact: 044 382 5316
• Website: knysnamontessori.co.za

8. Go for breakfast at African Bean

Picture: African Bean / Facebook

African Bean is a local coffee shop on Main Street in Knysna. The excellent Union roast coffee, friendly service and freshly prepared meals will make African Bean your regular holiday breakfast haunt. Allow Max, the brilliant barista, to make you one of the best coffees in town, accompanied by a slice of apple pie and carrot cake.

• Location: 29 Main Road, Knysna
• Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am – 4pm | Saturday: 8am – 2pm
• Contact: 044 382 2845 | abc.knysna@gmail.com

9. Go for lunch at East Head Café

Picture: East Head Café / Facebook

A popular gathering place for locals, East Head Café serves some of Knysna’s best cheesecake along with straightforward, delectable breakfasts and lunches. Additionally, whenever feasible, their ingredients are sourced from nearby, environmentally friendly vendors.

The restaurant offers one of the best views in Knysna from its prime location at the well-known Eastern Head. It also has a shaded outdoor area where you can relax in the fresh sea air and sun while the kids play.

• Location: 25 George Rex Drive, The Heads, Knysna
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8.30am – 3pm
• Contact: 044 384 0933 | info@easthead.co.za
• Website: eastheadcafe.co.za

10. Go for dinner at Chatters Bistro

Picture: Chatters Bistro / Facebook

The restaurant and bar Chatters is situated in the centre of Knysna and is popular among locals and visitors for its ambient garden seating and delicious thin-and-crispy wood-fired pizza.

Chatters Bistro is a family establishment run and owned by Claire and Rob. In addition to providing gluten- and wheat-free pizza bases for those with food allergies, Chatters also features a variety of daily specials.

• Location: 9a Grey Street | Entrance from Gordon Street, Knysna
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
• Contact: 044 382 0203 | info@chattersbistro.co.za
• Website: chattersbistro.co.za

11. Kayak on the Lagoon

Picture: knysnacharters.com

There are many ways to discover the famous Knysna Lagoon, but kayaking is undoubtedly one of the most exciting because it allows you the freedom to go at your own pace and gets you as close to the environment as you can without actually diving in and swimming.

No prior kayaking experience is necessary, and the kayaks are simple to manoeuvre.

• Location: 23 Sawtooth Lane, Thesen Island, Knysna
• Hours: Daily from 9am to 4pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Cost: R250 | R300 with a guide
• Contact: 082 892 0469 | info@knysnacharters.com
• Website: knysnacharters.com

12. Close encounter whale-watching

Picture: oceanodyssey.co.za

A close encounter with one of these gentle giants is an encounter that won’t soon be forgotten. Bryde’s whales and dolphins frequently visit Knysna’s coastal waters, and during the breeding season, southern right whales and humpback whales also stop by (June to October).

Your chances of getting up close to these marine mammals? A solid 95% of cruises see whales during the peak season.

• Location: TH22 Long Street, Thesen Island Harbour Town, Knysna
• Times: 3 daily departures | departure times vary according to season
• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: Adults: R1,170 | Kids under 13 years: R930
• Contact: 082 852 9402 | info@oceanodyssey.co.za
• Website: oceanodyssey.co.za

13. Visit Knysna’s Old Gaol Museum

Picture: visitknysna.co.za

The Old Gaol was the first building constructed in Knysna by the Colonial Government. It was built in 1859 to house convicts en route to work on the construction of Prince Alfred’s Pass. In 1992, it was designated as a national monument. The Old Gaol, located on the corner of Main Road and Queen Street, now houses numerous exhibits and collections.

The Old Gaol’s variations include a maritime collection that tells the story of Knysna as a port in the days when timber was the town’s main export product, and the maps and models room, which houses some exquisite, hand-made miniature replicas of the ships that made the town.

• Location: 7 Main Road, Knysna Central, Knysna
• Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Contact: 044 302 6320
• Website: knysna.gov.za/play-here/museums/

14. Explore Knysna on bike

Picture: knysnacharters.com

A guided tour with Knysna Hike and Bike is a wonderful way to explore the town of Knysna at a leisurely pace.

The tours are ideal for self-drive travellers, families, couples and friends who want to experience Knysna’s great outdoors with local knowledge. They are fully guided, intimate tours that emphasise personal tastes and interests.

Knysna Hike & Bike will meet your needs for leisure and fun, whether you prefer to stroll along beaches, hike through cool, misty forests, or pedal to a gourmet food and wine-tasting experience.

• Contact: 083 388 2424 | mandy@knysnahikeandbike.co.za
• Website: knysnahikeandbike.co.za

15. Knysna Lagoon fishing

Picture: visitknysna.co.za

Last on our list of 15 things to do in Knysna, the Knysna Lagoon, or estuary, is linked to the Indian Ocean by the Knysna Heads. Catches include white steenbas, white mussel cracker, garrick or leervis, cob or kabeljou, grunter, elf or shad, and a variety of skates. Bloodworms, moonshine, prawns, cuttlefish, mullet, and pencil bait are all recommended baits. Many of these can be found fresh in the lagoon.

According to local fishermen, the best time to fish is at night, just before low tide or at the end of high tide.

Also read: 

5 of Cape Town’s iconic walking trails to get those feet moving

Picture: Pexels

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