Attractions in Mossel Bay

The wide sweep of shoreline against a background of dramatic, rugged mountains – Mossel Bay is one of the biggest attractions on the Garden Route. And while you’re here, here are some of the things you’re going to enjoy:

Beaches

24 km of white-sand beaches – and the only north-facing beach in South Africa…

Adrenaline

Bungee jumping, bridge swinging, abseiling, scuba diving, shark-cage diving; the Oyster Catcher Trail (a porteraged hiking trail); whale and dolphin watching; quad bikes; yachting…

Historical Mossel Bay

This is where Southern Africans first meet European explorers more than 500 years ago – a meeting that’s celebrated at the Dias Museum Complex (the largest complex of its kind in the Southern Cape).

Here you’ll find a Maritime Museum (housing a life-size replica of the Caravel in which Bartholomew Dias first rounded the Cape all those years ago); a Cultural Museum, a Shell Museum and Aquarium; an ethno-botanical garden with its Braille Trail and the famous Post Office Tree in which Dias hid a letter to his compatriot Joao da Silva (and, incredibly, da Silva found it!).

Cultural Mossel Bay

Shop for arts and crafts; join a tour to Meet the People in the villages and townships in the rural areas surrounding Mossel Bay; meet African entrepreneurs and crafts people and experience the cultural richness of the Western Cape; enjoy concerts and exhibitions in the Maritime Museum; take in a show at the Barnyard Theatre…

Just Outside Of Mossel Bay

Take a drive to Great Brak River (Hough’s Herbal garden and many art galleries); the historic mission station at Friemersheim in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains; the Wolwedans Dam…

The Nature of the Garden Route

Enjoy a malaria-free game drive to see the Big Five (lion, leopard rhino, buffalo & elephant); ride an elephant; take a boat trip to Seal Island; watch whales and dolphins by boat or from the shore; visit a nature reserves; take a drive in the country side …

Hiking Trails
Oyster Catcher Trail: Along the coast from Mossel Bay to Gouritz Mond (see separate listing under attractions) Wolwedans Day Walk Great Brak River: 3km, 2hrs, one way, easy.

• Enq. Great Brak River Tourist office
• Telephone +27 44 6203338

Koumashoek Day Walk: On the Robinson, 16,5km, 7hrs, circular, strenuous, take water, be prepared for mist (see sep. listing under attractions) Ruiterbos Day Walk Mossel Bay: On Robinson Pass, 5km, 2hrs. circular, Easy walk. St Blaize Day Walk Mossel Bay: 15

• PO Box 1556, Mossel Bay, 6500
• Corner Church and Market Streets, Mossel Bay
• Phone: +27 (0)44 691 2202
• Fax: +27 (0)44 690 3077
• Email: visitmosselbay@mweb.co.za
• Homepage: http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za

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Bozzola Horse Trails
We take people on a 2hour (or longer) horse back rides.

• Bozzola Equestria
• Leeukloof
• Ruiterbos, MosselBay
• Tel: +2744-6966882
• Fax: +2744-6966882
• Mobile: +2772 895 9408
• Email: bozzola@telkomsa.net
• Homepage: www.ruiterbos.com

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Oyster Catcher Trail
This coastal hiking trail starts in a Khoi San cave at the old fishing village of Mossel Bay and ends with a small boat trip across the Gouritz River. This is not a walk, it is a love affair with nature!

• P O Box 1889
• Mossel Bay
• 6500
• Boggomsbaai
• Phone: +2744 699 1204
• Fax: +2744 699 1204
• Mobile: +2782 550 4788
• Email: forban@mweb.co.za
• Homepage: www.oystercatchertrail.co.za

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Koumashoek Circuit (hiking trail)
A long, strenuous trail with steep climbs through unspoilt, exceptionally beautiful Fynbos in the mountains west of the Robinson Pass. 6 Hours from start to end. 14.7km long. Map and information is available at the Witfontein Nature Reserve Offices. Directions: From the N2, take the Oudtshoorn turn-off to Hartenbos. Drive 18.9km to the top of the Robinson Pass where the trail starts. Park at the old quarry just below the top of the pass. Take water, be prepared for mist.

• Ruiterbos Area on the Robinson Pass, Ruitersbos
• Phone: +27 (0)44 631 0120
• Email: martha@polka.co.za

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Capri Tours and Helicopters
We do charter and utility flights; as well as beautiful scenic flights along the garden route (operating from Botlierskop Private Game Reserve) We offer various scenic routes.

• 73 A Essenhout Avenue
• Hartenbos Heuwels
• Hartenbos
• 6520
• Tel: +2744 695 0693
• Fax: +2744 695 0693
• Mobile: +2782 749 9042 / +2783 453 4326
• E-mail: corne@caprihelicopters.co.za
• Homepage: www.caprihelicopters.co.za

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Cape St Blaize Lighthouse 1864
The Cape St Blaize Lighthouse has been a beacon to navigators since 1864. It is open Monday - Friday to the public from 10h00-12h00 and again from 12h30 - 15.00. It is closed over the weekends and public holidays. It is only one of two manned lighthouses on the South African coast today.

• Montagu Street (The Point), CBD, Mossel Bay
• Phone: +2744 690 3015
• Fax: +2744-690 3015
• E-mail: John.Basson@transnet.net

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Skaap Plaas
Hiking trails through a beautiful forest with rock pools and many khoi-san drawings on the rocks along the hiking route.

• Haelkraalpad
• Ruiterbos
• Tel: +2744-631 0035
• Mobile: +2782 497 3775
• E-mail: skaaphiking@telkomsa.net
• Homepage: www.ruiterbos.com

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