Stephen & Rebecca’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Great to walk along coast and snorkel in rockpools.. suitable for the whole family, from age 4 and up.
42 locals recommend
Gerickes Point
Great to walk along coast and snorkel in rockpools.. suitable for the whole family, from age 4 and up.
Knysna Elephant Park
Get up close and personal with the Knysna elephants!
Beautiful place to picnic or braai and walk in the forest.
35 locals recommend
Jubilee Creek picnic site and walk
Beautiful place to picnic or braai and walk in the forest.
Amazing views - drive to the top of the heads to see the lookout point and walk down to the beach on the other side.
143 locals recommend
The Heads
1 View PointAmazing views - drive to the top of the heads to see the lookout point and walk down to the beach on the other side.
Bollards Bay Beach
97 Bayswater RdHistorical place of interest - beautiful forest walks
7 locals recommend
King Edward VII/ Diepwalle Big Tree
Historical place of interest - beautiful forest walks
Lovely beach to surf/ swim or suntan with restaurant close by in case you get thirsty or peckish.
85 locals recommend
Buffels Bay
Lovely beach to surf/ swim or suntan with restaurant close by in case you get thirsty or peckish.
Hire a kayak for approx R100 per day and slowly make your way down the river with beautiful scenery and birdlife to take in. Stop at one of the many beaches along the way and enjoy a glass of wine and some lunch before making your way back.
28 locals recommend
Keurboomsrivier
Hire a kayak for approx R100 per day and slowly make your way down the river with beautiful scenery and birdlife to take in. Stop at one of the many beaches along the way and enjoy a glass of wine and some lunch before making your way back.
Great stop on the way to Plett for handcrafted furniture and gifts, handmade local cheess, Radical Raptor encounters, and a coffee or breakfast while the kids can run around in the rustic forest play area in front.
27 locals recommend
The Heath
N2Great stop on the way to Plett for handcrafted furniture and gifts, handmade local cheess, Radical Raptor encounters, and a coffee or breakfast while the kids can run around in the rustic forest play area in front.
Stunning beach to go for a long walk and head back to the Lookout deck for a beer and some lunch/dinner.
27 locals recommend
Lookout Beach
Stunning beach to go for a long walk and head back to the Lookout deck for a beer and some lunch/dinner.
Particularly like Birds of Eden for its beautiful walk on wooden walkways through a "jungle". Spend your money here and then pop over to Monkeylands restaurant for a refreshment or lunch and you will be sure to see some monkeys for free :)
176 locals recommend
Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
Particularly like Birds of Eden for its beautiful walk on wooden walkways through a "jungle". Spend your money here and then pop over to Monkeylands restaurant for a refreshment or lunch and you will be sure to see some monkeys for free :)
Noetzie
(originally known as Noetziekamma, a Khoisan phrase for ‘dark water’ )
Ten minutes East of Knysna lies a secluded cove boasting a pristine beach, a quiet estuary, a large variety of indigenous flora and fauna and an eclectic collection of classic beach houses and fanciful “castles”.
No ancient battles or kingdoms lie in the Noetzie Castles’ history, but rather the spirit of pure fun and carefree holidays. Noetzie started out as a holiday destination for families living and working in Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Long before the winding road into it could carry the modern motor vehicle, adventurous groups seeking a quiet retreat would pack up their horse-drawn carts and make their way to the simple seaside huts and camping grounds.
example
As times moved on, relative ease of access allowed for more advanced building projects. The first “castle” was never planned as such, but the natural stone used for construction inspired a friend of the owner to say “All you need to do is add a few turrets, and you’ll have a castle.”And so they did.
17 locals recommend
Noetzie Castles - Craighross Castle
Noetzie
(originally known as Noetziekamma, a Khoisan phrase for ‘dark water’ )
Ten minutes East of Knysna lies a secluded cove boasting a pristine beach, a quiet estuary, a large variety of indigenous flora and fauna and an eclectic collection of classic beach houses and fanciful “castles”.
No ancient battles or kingdoms lie in the Noetzie Castles’ history, but rather the spirit of pure fun and carefree holidays. Noetzie started out as a holiday destination for families living and working in Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Long before the winding road into it could carry the modern motor vehicle, adventurous groups seeking a quiet retreat would pack up their horse-drawn carts and make their way to the simple seaside huts and camping grounds.
example
As times moved on, relative ease of access allowed for more advanced building projects. The first “castle” was never planned as such, but the natural stone used for construction inspired a friend of the owner to say “All you need to do is add a few turrets, and you’ll have a castle.”And so they did.
The Robberg Hiking Trail is probably one of the most popular and well known trails in the area and also one of the most scenic. The route is a circular trail along the Robberg peninsula with two shorter variations available ranging from easy to moderate.
This is not recommended for your regular Saturday afternoon stroll or when you are just bored. However, when you've done it, you'll have to
agree it really is special - one of a kind. If you are interested in geology you will find it inspiring
39 locals recommend
Robberg Hiking Trail
The Robberg Hiking Trail is probably one of the most popular and well known trails in the area and also one of the most scenic. The route is a circular trail along the Robberg peninsula with two shorter variations available ranging from easy to moderate.
This is not recommended for your regular Saturday afternoon stroll or when you are just bored. However, when you've done it, you'll have to
agree it really is special - one of a kind. If you are interested in geology you will find it inspiring
Featherbed Private Nature Reserve
Waterfront DriveFood scene
Great for Sushi on Mondays (1/2 Price)
Huge menu for those who cant decide what to have :)
Waterfront setting
120 locals recommend
34 Degrees South
Shop 19 Knysna WaterfrontGreat for Sushi on Mondays (1/2 Price)
Huge menu for those who cant decide what to have :)
Waterfront setting
Caffe Mario
17 Hedge StGreat Italian Food
Great setting, oysters, tapas, ribs, burgers and drinks.. often have specials on so be sure to ask or check ahead.
119 locals recommend
Tapas & Oysters
31 Safron LaneGreat setting, oysters, tapas, ribs, burgers and drinks.. often have specials on so be sure to ask or check ahead.
For a special night out - the best fine dining in Knysna using local ingredients, great portions presented beautifully and absolutely delicious!
LE MAQUIS by Cathy & Remy
14B Gray StFor a special night out - the best fine dining in Knysna using local ingredients, great portions presented beautifully and absolutely delicious!
Great Seafood, relaxed setting, play area for kids, great prices
77 locals recommend
Freshline Fisheries
Great Seafood, relaxed setting, play area for kids, great prices
Best bakery, coffee, breakfasts in Knysna
151 locals recommend
île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery
Long StreetBest bakery, coffee, breakfasts in Knysna
Beautiful views of the Knysna heads and delicious breakfasts and lunches.
197 locals recommend
East Head Café
25 George Rex DrBeautiful views of the Knysna heads and delicious breakfasts and lunches.
Great place to go to hire a kayak and paddle down the river, then catch a cold beer and some fish n chips with live music at the restaurant afterwards.
16 locals recommend
Kaaimans Restaurant
N2Great place to go to hire a kayak and paddle down the river, then catch a cold beer and some fish n chips with live music at the restaurant afterwards.
Knysna Gin Distillery
5 Uil StHandcrafted local gin tastings
The Lookout Deck
Hill StreetGreat food, great views
About 20mins away, but best Oysters served with a variety of toppings and well priced.
22 locals recommend
Oysters R Us
N2About 20mins away, but best Oysters served with a variety of toppings and well priced.
Knysna Gin Distillery
5 Uil StCute distillery, Great Gin!
Shops, Food, Boat Trips
Stroll around on a lazy day have a coffee at ile De Pain, browse the shops and check out the motorcycle museum.. book a boat trip or whale watching trip, have a drink at one of the restaurants or get your hair done at one of 2 salons.
55 locals recommend
Thesen Island
Stroll around on a lazy day have a coffee at ile De Pain, browse the shops and check out the motorcycle museum.. book a boat trip or whale watching trip, have a drink at one of the restaurants or get your hair done at one of 2 salons.
cute indoor market with local designers wares, perfect for gift shopping and a coffee.
The Foundation Knysna
cute indoor market with local designers wares, perfect for gift shopping and a coffee.
Boat trips
MV John Benn Cruise
Great sunset cruise
Drinks and Dinner
Beautiful setting, uniquely eclectic lodge, Fridays half price cocktails, serve great pizzas
113 locals recommend
Emily Moon River Lodge
1 Rietvlei RdBeautiful setting, uniquely eclectic lodge, Fridays half price cocktails, serve great pizzas
Shops Food
Timberlake Organic Village
Cute little stop between Sedgefield and wildnerness
Activities
Knysna Ziplines
Apparently the longest ZipLine in Africa!