Exploring Knysna and the Garden Route on holiday in South Africa simply wouldn’t be complete without a few beach days. Knysna is a great base from which to explore some of the best stretches of shoreline in southern Africa. Here are some of our favourite beaches around Knysna.
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1. Brenton on Sea
Brenton on Sea is arguably one of the best beaches along the Garden Route. The long beach lies on the other side of the Knysna Western Heads, at Brenton-on-Sea. The drive from Knysna town centre offers sweeping views of the lagoon and Indian Ocean from atop the Western Head. The beach is expansive and bordered by indigenous flora – ideal for tanning and long walks.
In the summer there is sometimes a lifeguard on duty. This area is well-known by locals for its extremely strong currents, so take care not to swim too deep. There is also a restaurant upstairs.
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2. Buffalo Bay
If you continue walking along the beach at Brenton on Sea, you will eventually reach Buffalo Bay or Buffelsbaai. Buffalo Bay is a blue flag beach located in the Goukamma Nature Reserve between the coastal town of Knysna and Sedgefield.
Buffalo Bay is a popular beach for swimming, surfing, sun tanning, snorkelling and other water activities. The beach has ablution facilities, parking and a few restaurants and shops along the beach road.
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3. Coney Glen
Coney Glen is a small beach in a rocky cove at the foot of Knysna’s East Head. It offers a good opportunity to explore the imposing East Head and its caves. Coney Glen is a popular beach with locals as it has stunning sea views, a rugged coastline and a braai area. From the beach it’s easy to imagine how ships were wrecked trying to get through the Heads to the safety of Featherbed Bay.
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4. Wilderness Beach
Wilderness Beach is situated about 25 minutes away from Knysna. The beach is unspoiled, safe and beautiful. Warm Indian Ocean waves break on its gloriously golden shores and its miles and miles of sand offer wonderfully long walks along the edge of the water. Wilderness Beach is also a good spot to see Southern right whales and dolphins.
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5. Noetzie Beach
10 minutes east of Knysna lies the secluded Noetzie Beach, a cove with a pristine beach and quiet estuary. The secluded beach is famous for its castles and rocky shoreline. The first castle was built in the 1930s by Herbert Stephen Henderson. It owes its seclusion to the fact that it is accessed along a gravel road from the N2 and a steep climb from the parking area along a narrow path.
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Planning a trip along the Garden Route? There’s no better place to spend the summer than along the beaches around Knysna. Turbine Hotel & Spa is conveniently located in the heart of Knysna and offers modern and luxurious accommodation on a tranquil island of the lagoon. Enquire online about our rates and current specials.
