Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is a seaport and seaside resort situated between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa on the shores of the Indian Ocean. This warm and welcoming historical town is regarded as the beginning of the Garden Route. A number of explorers and seafarers of the 15th century including Bartholomew Diaz and Vasco da Gama came into the harbor there and in 1500 a seafarer by the name of Pedro d’Ataide went ashore and left a note of his visit in an ancient milkwood tree which is now a national monument called “The Post Office Tree”. 

The town was established in 1848 and was originally named Aliwal South and later changed to Mossel Bay.  Because of its position on the warm Indian Ocean in the south and being protected by the Outeniqua mountain range to the North, Mossel Bay is regarded as having one of the most ideal climates in South Africa and resulting in Mossel Bay becoming a favorite destination for holidaymakers throughout the year and with its many attractions it has become a favored tourist destination.

For over two thousand years the region was the home of the Griqua and Khoisan people who were the ancestors of the present indigenous people of the area and today tourists can take part in cultural tours to the existing settlements of these tribes to find out  their culture and view their cave painting art.

Mossel Bay offers diverse attractions for visitors with plenty to do. There are a variety of museums and historical buildings as well as the famous Lighthouse which is open for visitors. The more adventurous can experience a full range of water sports as well as some very exciting activities including snorkeling, shark cage diving and ship wreck dives.

Accommodation is plentiful with hotels, guest houses and holiday cottages to suit all tastes and budgets. Dine out in one of the many restaurants of all types that offer the sea food for which Mossel Bay is known, especially for the mussels that are regarded as probably the best in the world.