Knysna Waterfront

Knysna sits on a large tidal lagoon that reaches the sea through a narrow gap between two sandstone cliffs known as the Heads - a channel so difficult that it was long considered one of the most dangerous harbour entrances in use on this coast. The waterfront is a quay development on the lagoon shore with restaurants, shops and moorings, and it is where the boat trips leave: cruises down the estuary to the Heads, and the older ferry across to Featherbed on the western head, which is a private nature reserve reached only by boat. Oysters are the local speciality, both wild lagoon oysters and cultivated ones, and the July festival is built around them. Knysna lost hundreds of houses in the fires of June 2017 and the burn scars are still visible on the hills above the town, though the waterfront itself was untouched.

What you actually see

• The lagoon and Heads - a tidal estuary reaching the sea through a narrow cliff gap.
• Boat trips - estuary cruises and the ferry to the Featherbed reserve.
• Oysters - wild lagoon and cultivated, the local speciality.
• The 2017 burn scars - fire damage still visible on the hills above town.

When to go

All year; July for the oyster festival. Half a day. Boat trips depend on the tide.

Honest expectations

The waterfront itself is a shopping development - the interest is on the water. Cruises are cancelled in wind and swell at the Heads. The N2 through Knysna is congested in season. Prices are Garden Route prices.

Nearby

The eastern Head viewpoint is a short drive; Plettenberg Bay is east.