The bustling town of Knysna, beside its beautiful lagoon, is known for its art galleries, boutiques and fresh oysters. Take a boat cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve or sail through the dramatic Knysna Heads.
Scroll for more
Knysna is an attractive little town in the heart of the Garden Route. It is surrounded by a glorious lagoon and backed by an indigenous forest with abundant yellowwood trees. The sea approach to Knysna through The Heads (two cliffs) was so hazardous in the 19th century that the town was never able to develop as a major port. So it was only in the 20th century that it grwe as a waterside resort. Knysna is a charming town of year-round residents (rather than seasonal second-homers) so it's full of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and art & craft galleries.
It's also central so a Knysna holiday is perfect for exploring the breadth of the Garden Route. As no part is more than an hours drive away.
Knysna doesn’t have a beach, but there are some lovely beach options nearby, with the nearest being about 15 minutes drive at Brenton on Sea.
There are also so many things to do on a Knysna holiday such as sailing on Knysna heads, boat cruises and walks on Featherbed Nature Reserve. Or why not try some water adventure options such as stand-up paddle-boarding or kayaking?
Inland the Knysna forest offers some superb walking trails of all lengths.
It also makes for a great base for a golfing holiday on the Garden Route with Pezula and Simola golf estates. As well as Fancourt, Oubaai and Pinnacle Point not a very distance away either.