Tourism

Named Mossel Bay in 1601 by the Dutch seafarer, Paulus van Caerden, after the abundance of mussels found on the rocks in the bay which he visited in the search for refreshments for his crew, the town of Mossel Bay is steeped in history.

It is the place where the first European explorer, Bartholomeu Dias, set foot on South African shores in 1488, and came into contact with the indigenous Gouriqua and San people who inhabited the area. Although Mossel Bay was established as a town only some two centuries later it can lay claim to being the place where the South Africa of today has its foundations.

Mossel Bay’s history is, however, only part of the story. Situated on the world-famous Garden Route of South Africa, it is also known for its great natural beauty with kilometres and kilometres of golden beaches and healthy, mild and sunny climate.

The town is geared to make the tourist feel at home with a well-developed infrastructure which caters for virtually every taste. It has an excellent choice of hotels and other accommodation establishments, award winning-restaurants, a casino and sports facilities that include two of the best and most beautiful golf courses in South Africa.

The main languages spoken in Mossel Bay are Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa.

Mossel Bay is situated on the N2 halfway between the cities of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and connected by a good regional road system that allows comfortable day trips to the Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn, the Little Karoo wine estates, the Knysna forests, game farms and the many other attractions offered by the Garden Route and Little Karoo.

The George airport is situated 40 kilometres from Mossel Bay central.

Please visit the website of our tourism partner, Mossel Bay Tourism, at http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za for more information.