Occupying the landscape surrounding a beautiful lagoon in the heart of South Africa’s Garden Route, this is the exact location where you get to find and locate the people’s favorite coastal town of Knysna, made famous and popular for its natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture.
Surrounded by plenty of forests, farmhouses, and lagoons, as well as being home to the endangered Knysna seahorse, the bright-colored Knysna turaco, and narina trogon, the delicate pansy shell, dolphins, and whales, as well as the exciting activities and adventures that come with its forests of towering yellowwood trees, there is a whole lot to keep yourself engaged with upon visiting.
Talking about keeping yourself engaged with its exciting activities and adventures, below has been highlighted and outlined some of the fun things to do and places to visit during your stay in Knysna.
Fun Things To Do In Knysna, Western Cape
1. Explore the Knysna Lagoon by boat
Coming top of our list is the adventure that has got to do with exploring the Knysna lagoon by boat, a destination that happens to be a memorable part of the town and holds a special place in the heart of its residents. The best way to explore it is by boat, there is no better place In the area to come enjoy a sunset cruise during the day than this very lagoon.
A larger paddle cruiser is also made available and provided for by the management of this very lagoon, for visitors and tourists alike to come soak up the 360-degree views of the lagoon and enjoy a perfect midday cruise or sundowners.
What should I expect?
Showing up here, visitors get to have a trip on a speedboat, motorized or sailing yacht arranged for them, as they go about enjoying this experience to the fullest.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
2. Enjoy the Breads and coffees of Ile De Pain
The Ile de Pain just like the East Head Cafe is yet another restaurant house in Knysna which started as a coffee shop offering as well to the delight of its guests breads and other baked goods.
Its beautiful setting makes it stand out among another restaurant houses in the area, as its guests get to enjoy something different sitting outside under the trees and enjoying good coffee, croissants, and delicious hot chocolate.
What do they offer?
The Ile De Pain restaurant house has got its meal made up of salads, toasties and tartines, sourdough flatbreads, burgers, and steak.
Address: 10, The Boatshed, Long St, Thesen Island, Knysna, 6571, South Africa.
3. Explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve
The Featherbed Nature Reserve is a protected reserve on the Western Head of Knysna, one which just like the tourist attraction of the Knysna Lagoon already is only accessible by boat.
Showing up here is solely to come to be part of its guided tours usually accompanied by an eco-experience that would see you checking out the ecology, plants, birds, and marine life of its environs.
Guests are also presented with the opportunity of accessing this site either with a 4×4 drive of which they can look out over the lagoon or take a 2km walk of its coastal forest and fynbos, and caves in the sandstone cliffs.
What should I expect?
Guest showing up here get to enjoy its lagoon views, alongside setting their sights on different creatures such as blue cranes and black oystercatchers, before finally settling down for a nice lunch at its nearby restaurant.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
4. Spend time shopping at the country market
The country market of Knysna is one made up of the Totties Farm Kitchen and Totties Country Market both housed within its vicinity, one which has as well been in existence for quite some time now and is fully loaded with arts and crafts, artisan products, and food to its guests to come to enjoy the amazing combo of a dining and shopping experience.
That aside, it has also gotten a designated kids attraction tagged the Knysna model trains worth taking a drive upon as well as a tree stump in the shade to enjoy a farm breakfast, pancake, or delicious curried mince vetkoek.
What do they offer?
This country market offers organically grown veggies, homemade cakes, fine cheeses, honey, pickles, and much more.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
5. Visit the Knysna Waterfront
The Knysna Waterfront comes in next on our list of fun things to do in Knysna, a famous and popular tourist attraction that has proven to be a favorite destination for those visiting the area, one which does with tourists as well trooping in large numbers to come to take a stroll along its waterfront.
Presented with the opportunity of booking yachts in the harbor, tourists showing up here gets to grab an ice cream in hand while soaking up the sun. There also exists a few eateries and restaurant houses such as 34 Degrees South and the Dry Dock Food Company to settle for a nice lunch.
What should I expect?
Enjoying a peaceful walk aside, it is also an ideal location to shop for. souvenirs, fashion, jewelry, or décor items, most of which could serve as a gift item for your loved ones back home.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
6. Visit the Big Tree & Dalene Matthee monument
Another magnificent site to behold during your stay in Knysna is that of the Big Tree & Dalene Matthee monument located on the landscape of Krisjan se Nek picnic site in the Millwood section of the Knysna forests, a stone monument dedicated in memory of Dalene Mathee, best known for her books.
Mounted in the heart of this picnic site, this monument also does bear some sort of historic significance that you should consider checking out, one which was put up next to an 880-year-old Outeniqua yellowwood tree, where her ashes were scattered.
What should I expect?
Showing up here is to come hike into the Circles of the Forest and enjoy a peaceful stroll as well on its walking trails there.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
7. Go hiking into the Knysna Forests
The Knysna Forests are a beautiful natural area designed for both residents and visitors to come to enjoy hiking, and passing through the Goukamma Nature Reserve en route to Buffalo Bay. Tourists are presented with the option of choosing between six trails ranging from 4 to 15km to enjoy an amazing hiking experience.
This a nice opportunity to spend your leisurely house enjoying beach walks while having a feel of the cool breeze of nature, alongside forest walks that offer a good chance of seeing some of the 220 species of birds recorded in the reserve.
What should I expect?
This experience offers the opportunity for one to try out something different, walking Amid cliffs and rocks, indigenous forest, fynbos as well as catching up with its gorgeous sea views.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
8. Try out SUP at the Thesen Island
Taking out a few moments of your time to relieve the SUP (stand-up paddle board) experience of exploring the water channels of Knysna’s scenic also comes in next on our list of fun things to do in the area.
A man-made islands linked by arched bridges open for all to come enjoy paddling on its calm main waterways be it as a beginner or experienced paddler just by renting a board and stick.
What should I expect?
Tourists showing up here get to explore some of its inlets and coves between the islands, an experience not accommodative to kids.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
9. Visit Belvidere’s historic stone church
The Holy Trinity Church at Belvidere is another too-notch tourist destination worth visiting during your stay in the area as well, one which has been in existence for over a century now and dates back to the 1850s; a typical Norman-style church of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Blessed with a whole lot of beautiful edifices and artifacts, there are quite a few items guests can come check out, starting with its entire pulpit carved out of a single block of stone, down to its bell hanging in a niche above the main door made in England.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here get to enjoy wandering about in its peaceful and well-kept gardens, as well as checking out some of the old gravestones.
Address. Church Street Old Belvidere, Knysna South Africa.
10. Go mountain biking in the forest
Enjoying mountain biking deep into the forests of Knysna is an adventure to try out for tourists looking forward to experiencing something wild and crazy at the same time, as they get to enjoy an energetic ride through its 19km Homtini MTB route that starts at the Krisjan se Nek picnic site.
Made up of jeep tracks and logging roads that cut through indigenous forests and plantations, there is no ideal location to come enjoy crazy riding adventures other than this designated trail inside of the forest.
What should I expect?
Here, tourists get to enjoy an amazing ride through forests, fynbos, and plantations on top of a bike.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
11. Take a walk on the shores of Buffalo Bay Beach
Relaxing under a calm and Serene environment while also enjoying the cool breeze of nature can only be best enjoyed at this tourist destination of Buffalo Bay Beach, one which you can come hangout either in the early morning hours or during the dawn of the sun in the evening.
Something amazing to try out for individuals who don’t consider themselves experienced swimmers or surfers, as you can also choose to take a stroll in its environment and walk the whole beach.
What should I expect?
Showing up here is solely to come to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or walking on its shores.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
Also, Read 20 Fun Things To Do In McGregor, Western Cape
12. Travel through the forest tracks on a scooter
Just as we have got enjoying mountain biking through its forest pathways as aforementioned, there is also a similar experience tourists can choose to be part of as well upon visiting Knysna, one which has got to do with going on a thrilling downhill ride on a fat-tired scooter.
This exciting activity offered by the Scootours Knysna sees tourists climb to the top of the hill in the indigenous forest while enjoying the excitement that comes with enjoying a downhill ride back down to the bottom.
What should I expect?
Just as has been highlighted already, this is an adventure that gets to see tourists speeding through the forest environs on a scooter, while also beholding and appreciating the beauty of nature of its colorful Knysna turaco and shy bushbuck you might get to pot along the way.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
13. Explore the Knysna Art Route
The Knysna art route is a favorite destination for art & crafts lovers and enthusiasts to stop by, an art gallery that stands out as unique and different among quite a few art galleries in Knysna that have gotten their shelves worth browsing through.
Talking about the various artifacts this art gallery in question has got as exhibits on its shelves made up of over 80 circular artworks off the craft of both its residents within the region, as well as those coming from outside of the region.
What to expect
Guests and tourists showing up here get to check out and explore its art route that features public art like large sculptures, murals, mosaics, and some other related items of art.
Address: Memorial Square, Main Road, Knysna, 6570, South Africa.
14. Visit the Knysna Heads
The Knysna Heads which are two large headlands, separated by about 300m of water and form the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon is another site you might want to consider visiting during your stay in the area.
Having been in existence for around 180 million years now, according to the records, and also bearing the historic significance of being a location for the early days of colonial settlement in the 19th century, there is a whole lot to check out here as it concerns shipwrecks and it’s a navigable channel, which is scarily narrow at just 90m.
What should I expect?
Visiting this tourist location, guests get to stand at its public viewpoint at the highest point of Coney Glen Road, where they can check and see for themselves the small Coney Glen beach with rock pools, the George Rex Drive, and the wreck of the Paquita.
Address: Coney Glen Road, Knysna 6570, South Africa.
15. Admire and see Noetzie’s castles
Right on the very eastern outskirts of Knysna is where you would get to catch the sight of the road leading to Noetzie Beach, a tourist destination as well open for all to come to see for themselves and admire the stone castles on the cliff looking out to sea.
As of this very moment, there are only six castles, which were built in the early 20th century, offering a romantic look perfect for a date or couples’ night out, since they are mostly made up of private homes and holiday homes with a fascinating outward look.
What other things happen here?
Aside from coming over to explore and check anyone of its castles, there is also the option of hiring a villa at the Pezula Private Castle or Lindsay Castle to live like royalty for a few days.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
16. Go whale watching around its water bodies
Not many are opportuned to get to set their sights on whales in their entire lifetime, so you might as well want to consider yourself lucky finding yourself in Knysna as you would be opportune and given the chance to see southern right whales and humpback whales,
Highly recommended to visit during June, July, August, September, October, and November each year, this is an ideal location on the South African coast to come witness humpbacks on their long migration, as well as spot Bryde’s whales and dolphins.
That aside, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to visit some other notable tourist attractions such as Buffalo Bay (Buffelsbaai in Afrikaans), the Goukamma Nature Reserve, and Brenton on Sea; all of which are just a stone’s throw away from each other.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here get to take advantage of the opportunity to get much closer to giant whales on its 1.5 to 2-hour boat-based whale-watching trip with Ocean Odyssey.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
17. Take a walk of the old Millwood goldfields
Taking a walk of the old Millwood goldfields is another activity you might want to spend your leisure hours with, one which you get to take a stroll of its 5.6km Millwood Mine walk and streets that are now empty and overgrown.
Taking a walk on the roads its streets, tourists also get to come across and see some of the old 19th century machinery, mostly a huge steam engine, jaw crusher, stamp battery, and boiler at the different positions where it was left when miners abandoned the goldfields.
What other things happen here?
The Old Millwood goldfields have also gotten a little tearoom and photo museum in the only one of some 70 goldfields buildings that are still standing at Millwood, open for visitors to come to explore
Address: Knysna, South Africa
18. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest
Looking for that very perfect spot and location to come to enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest, well look no further than Jubilee Creek which is a perennial favorite for picnics, offering as well a short nature walk along the river.
To get started, all that is expected of visitors and tourists alike to do is to drive up the Rheenendal Road and take the turnoff to Millwood, taking heeds and following signposts pointing them to this destination, before proceeding to pay an entrance fee upon arriving
What should I expect?
The Jubilee Creek is an ideal location in the area, blessed with a whole lot of nice picnic spots along the Diepwalle and Gouna forests, as well as at the Valley of Ferns on Prince Alfred Pass, Hanging out with family and friends can be very relaxing over here.
Address: Knysna, South Africa
19. Dine over at the East Head cafe
At the moment, there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops in Knysna you could take a walk into, should you at any point become hungry during your stay there, but none offers a better dining experience than that of East Head Cafe.
The East Head Cafe, which in recent times has grown to become both residents’ and visitors’ favorites, offers superb views of the lagoon from the inside and especially the deck outside, accompanied by a superb dining experience with the very best of dishes.
What do they offer?
The East Head Café offers dishes that include seafood like calamari, prawns, and fish & chips, as well as burgers, salads, and tramezzini.
Address: 25 George Rex Dr., The Heads, Knysna, 6571, South Africa.
20. Stay over in Knysna at the Cliffhanger Cottages
The Cliffhanger Cottages is a recommendable option for visitors and tourists alike looking forward to staying over a night or more in Knysna, one that is blessed with a splendid view out over layers of forested hills and offers self-catering cottages as well.
All that is expected of guests showing up here is to book a reservation for themselves to enjoy comfort to the fullest and feel at home.
What do they offer?
The Cliffhanger Cottages does offer luxury & boutique accommodations made up of B&Bs, self-catering cottages, guest farms, backpackers, and camping options.
Address: The Surfboard, Rheenendal Rd, Knysna, Rheenendal, 6570, South Africa.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there are hundreds of activities and adventures to keep you entertained and thrilled during your stay in Knysna, most of which have not been mentioned here. Be it as an outdoor enthusiast, history buff, or foodie, Knysna has something for everyone. There are more reasons why you should make it your preferred pick when it comes to holiday destinations.
Starting from its forests to tranquil lakes and white beaches, down to its historical woodcutting, gold mining, and ivory hunting sites, not forgetting its excellent restaurants, galleries, and shops, rest assured that you just can’t run out of options when it comes down to places to visit during your stay there.
