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    Mossel Bay

    South Africa

    Mossel Bay

    CityCulture

    Mossel Bay is the western starting point of the Garden Route. Bartolomeu Dias landed here in 1488, and from Cape St Blaize, you'll see whales off the coast in winter.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Garden Route
    9. Mossel Bay
    Mossel Bay is the western starting point of the Garden Route. Bartolomeu Dias landed here in 1488, and from Cape St Blaize, you'll see whales off the coast in winter.

    Sights in Mossel Bay

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Museum

    1Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex

    The museum commemorates the landing of Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. A highlight is the walkable replica of his caravel. Also on the grounds is the Post Office Tree, where seafarers once left letters. You can still post a card there today.
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    Historic Landmark

    2Cape St Blaize Lighthouse

    The 19th-century lighthouse stands on the headland above the town. Below it lies the Cape St Blaize Cave, a cave with Stone Age finds. The St Blaize Trail, a cliff path towards Dana Bay, also starts here, from which you often see whales in winter.
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    City walks in Mossel Bay

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Mossel Bay: Historische Promenade & Panoramablicke

    Entdecken Sie die reiche Geschichte und die atemberaubende Küstenlandschaft von Mossel Bay auf diesem entspannten 2-stündigen Spaziergang. Von den Spuren Vasco da Gamas bis zu spektakulären Klippenpfaden – eine perfekte Mischung aus Kultur und Naturerlebnissen.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Essen & Trinken

    Carola Ann's

    Restaurant in 38 Marsh St.
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    The Merchant Coffee (Town)

    Café in 78c Bland St.
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    Object Cafe

    Café in 48 Marsh St.
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    Cafe Gannet Restaurant

    Restaurant in 1 Market St.
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    Kaai 4 Braai Restaurant

    Restaurant in Harbour.
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    Culture & History

    In the caves of Pinnacle Point, researchers found traces of human behavior around 164,000 years old. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias landed here as the first known European, meeting the Khoikhoi. The bay later became a seafarers' stop, hence the Post Office Tree tradition.

    On the Go

    The nearest airport is George, about 45 minutes away. You can easily walk to the centre, harbour, and museum. For the lighthouse, beaches, and onward trips along the Garden Route, you'll need a car; Uber or Bolt are available in town.

    Accommodations in Mossel Bay

    Find perfect stay in Mossel Bay

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      • 1Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex3 days
      • 2Cape St Blaize Lighthouse4 days
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    Nearby

    George

    George

    George is the largest city on the Garden Route and, with its airport, the starting point for many. The city lies at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, just a few minutes from Wilderness and the sea.
    Wilderness

    Wilderness

    Wilderness is between George and Sedgefield on a long sandy beach. Beyond it, lagoons, lakes, and forests of the Garden Route National Park begin, ideal for paddling, hiking, and paragliding.
    Sedgefield

    Sedgefield

    Sedgefield is a quiet holiday resort nestled between Wilderness and Knysna. As Africa's first Cittaslow town, it embraces a slow pace: the lagoon, long beaches, and the Saturday farmers' market define the place.
    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn

    Oudtshoorn is the largest town in the Little Karoo and the heart of ostrich farming. From here, you can reach the Cango Caves and the Swartberg Pass.
    Garden Route

    Garden Route

    The Garden Route is the coastal stretch between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, a good 200 kilometers along the N2 and about four to five hours' drive east of Cape Town. Lagoons, ancient forests, long sandy beaches, and small seaside resorts like Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay make it the country's most popular self-drive route.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI