AZURE WATERS, KNYSNA SEA HORSES AND A WATER WONDERLAND
Lagoon
The Knysna Lagoon is the crowning glory of Knysna due to its staggering beauty, easy access and abundance of things to do!
Knysna has some beautiful snorkeling spots for the adventurous enthusiast, where common sightings of Zebra fish, Stumpnose and schools of Mullet. Keep your eyes peeled for the camouflaged Knysna Sea Horses, which are endemic to certain estuaries along the Garden Route coastline. Our white sandy lagoon shores are also home to the famous and elusive Pansy Shells. Other water sports available on the Knysna Lagoon include Kite surfing, Wake boarding, Stand-up paddling, Water skiing, Canoeing and Kayaking.
Sail or boat in luxury, and enjoy the protected calmer waters that the Lagoon provides. Scenic day cruises or sunset cruises will take you sightseeing various famous land marks including close to but not out of the Knysna heads.
Alternatively you can charter a boat or yacht for the day and be as entertained as you wish. Try your hand at fishing, SUP and swimming or be spoiled with the service of a private chef.Explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head. The tour offers a fun and adventurous nature experience for the entire family and includes:
-
A return ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head
-
A 4x4 vehicle & trailer drive up the headland onto the Reserve, stopping at spectacular viewpoints
-
Specialist guide giving information on history, fauna & flora
-
Optional guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves
-
World-renowned buffet lunch at an outdoor restaurant setting under a canopy of Milkwood trees.
-
A plethora of things to do!
Knysna is nestled between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, ensuring a perfect compromise for beach lovers and outdoor forest and adventure activity seekers alike. The list of incredible things to do in Knysna is almost endless and one can easily spend an entire week at Kanonkop House and still not get to do everything!
SUN, SEA, SAND & SURF
Beaches
Pristine sandy beaches and rugged rocky shores define the Garden Route coastline. Knysna has a handful of sublimely beautiful beaches on her doorstep to explore and enjoy!
BOLLARD BAY BEACH (Distance from Kanonkop House - 11 kms | 19 mins drive)
#1 for safety, families of all ages and quick access.
Located on Leisure Isle, Bollard Beach offers gently lapping waves onto sandy lagoon shores, Perfect for the entire family to laze away the day with Knysna Heads views from the beach and loads of fun, sea, sand and sun.
BRENTON BEACH (Distance from Kanonkop House - 14 kms | 18 mins drive)
#1 for beauty and beach sundowners.
A blue flag beach, Brenton Beach is often described as one of the world's best beaches by international and local beachgoers alike, Framed by a backdrop of Fynbos-lined dunes, this 7km stretch of Sandy beach is quite simply sublime!
BUFFALO BAY BEACH (Distance from Kanonkop House - 20 kms | 24 mins drive)
#1 for swimming in the surf & best all-rounder.
A blue flag beach, Buffalo Bay Beach is an idyllic swimming beach. Slowly tapering sandy bottom with no rocks and beautiful calmer surf cements this beach as the best swimming beach in the region.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY BEACHES (Distance from Kanonkop House - 14 to 20 kms | 18 to 25 minutes)
Noetzie Beach - Soft, fine sandy beach, with a backdrop of 6 castles adorned by an ancient forest. Lagoon for kids to swim.
Coney Glen Beach - Below the Eastern Head with breathtaking views, swimmable rock pools and sandy stretches to sun tan.
FORESTS, FYNBOS, RIVERS & MOUNTAINS
Nature & Outdoor Adventure
The Knysna Forest is a marvelous mix of ancient trees, tree ferns, creepers, flowers, streams, waterfalls and is also home to the elusive Knysna Loerie. Its immense beauty and diversity make it the perfect place to explore for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies alike.
WALKS, HIKING & ROCKPOOL SWIMMING
Knysna is an adventurers paradise with a vast selection of trails of varying lengths and difficulty for beginners and pro's alike. Explore nature and walk or hike out next to rivers and lagoons, through lush forests, over magnificent mountains, past waterfalls and along the magnificent coastline. Not to be missed: Jubilee Creek | Circles In The Forest | Drupkelders Rock Pools
MOUNTAIN BIKING & TRAIL RUNNING
There are literally dozens of epic mountain biking and trail running well marked routes to explore on the beach, in the Fynbos or in the surrounding forests. Routes range from easy family friendly to extreme that will test even seasoned pro's. For your peace of mind and safety, guided mountain biking and trail running excursions are bookable.
SCOOTOURS
Don’t feel like walking or pedaling? Experience the Knysna forest on a non-motorized monster mountain scooter. A scenic vehicle shuttle ride takes you up into the heart of the forest within the Garden Route National Park, where your downhill Scootour adventure will begin. All trips are professionally guided and all scooters can handle one adult with a child passenger so it’s a perfect, exhilarating and fun way for the entire family to explore the wonders of the Knysna forest.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES WORTH A VISIT
AZURE WATERS, KNYSNA SEA HORSES AND A WATER WONDERLAND
Lagoon
The Knysna Lagoon is the crowning glory of Knysna due to its staggering beauty, easy access and abundance of things to do!
SNORKELING, SEA HORSES AND OTHER WATER SPORTS
Knysna has some beautiful snorkeling spots for the adventurous enthusiast, where common sightings of Zebra fish, Stumpnose and schools of Mullet. Keep your eyes peeled for the camouflaged Knysna Sea Horses, which are endemic to certain estuaries along the Garden Route coastline. Our white sandy lagoon shores are also home to the famous and elusive Pansy Shells. Other water sports available on the Knysna Lagoon include Kite surfing, Wake boarding, Stand-up paddling, Water skiing, Canoeing and Kayaking.
BOATING, YACHTING AND FISHING
Sail or boat in luxury, and enjoy the protected calmer waters that the Lagoon provides. Scenic day cruises or sunset cruises will take you sightseeing various famous land marks including close to but not out of the Knysna heads. Alternatively you can charter a boat or yacht for the day and be as entertained as you wish. Try your hand at fishing, SUP and swimming or be spoiled with the service of a private chef.
FEATHERBED NATURE RESERVE
Explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head. The tour offers a fun and adventurous nature experience for the entire family and includes:
A return ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head | A 4x4 vehicle & trailer drive up the headland onto the Reserve, stopping at spectacular viewpoints | Specialist guide giving information on history, fauna & flora | Optional guided 2.2km walk through coastal forest and fynbos into ancient sea caves | World renowned buffet lunch at an outdoor restaurant setting under a canopy of Milkwood trees.
FORESTS, FYNBOS, RIVERS & MOUNTAINS
Knysna is an adventurer's paradise with a vast selection of trails of varying lengths and difficulty. There are trails for beginners and pros alike. Explore nature and walk or hike out next to rivers and lagoons, through lush forests, over magnificent mountains, past waterfalls and along the magnificent coastline. Not to be missed: Jubilee Creek | Circles In The Forest | Drupkelders Rock Pools
There are literally dozens of epic mountain biking and trail-running well-marked routes to explore on the beach, in the Fynbos or in the surrounding forests. Route range from easy and family-friendly to extreme that will test even seasoned pros. For your peace of mind and safety, guided mountain biking and trail running excursions are bookable.
Don’t feel like walking or pedalling? Experience the Knysna forest on a non-motorized monster mountain scooter. A scenic vehicle shuttle ride takes you up into the heart of the forest within the Garden Route National Park, where your downhill Scootour adventure will begin. All trips are professionally guided and all scooters can handle one adult with a child passenger so it’s a perfect, exhilarating and fun way for the entire family to explore the wonders of the Knysna forest.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES WORTH A VISIT
Nature & Outdoor Adventure
The Knysna Forest is a marvellous mix of ancient trees, tree ferns, creepers, flowers, streams, and waterfalls and is also home to the elusive Knysna Loerie. Its immense beauty and diversity make it the perfect place to explore for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies alike.
Spoilt for choice. Sure to delight.
EXPERIENCE
WHALES, DOLPHINS AND THE BIG BLUE
Ocean
Sail in luxury or boat in style through the ancient sandstone cliffs, "The Heads" that guard the Knysna lagoon from the Indian ocean into a marine animal kingdom of epic beauty and diversity.
In season, Whale watching from the boat is unsurpassed, and sightings of Orcas are not uncommon. Sharks, Dolphins, Seals and beautiful birdlife all abound with a majestic backdrop of waves crashing against the cliffs and caves.
Deep sea fishing Charters are also available, weather dependent. Pelagic species such as Bonito and Mackerel are plentiful, as are more then a few bottom species such as Red Romans and Miss Lucy's.
