View
map of Mossel Bay |
Mossel Bay (Mosselbaai
in Afrikaans) lies on the southern coast of South Africa, east of the Cape
of Good Hope and west of Knysna. It lies on the Indian Ocean coast and
is part of the Garden Route.
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu
Dias arrived here on February 3, 1488, thus proving to his sponsors that
Africa had a southern tip; making it theoretically possible to sail from
Europe to India. Originally called by Dias Aguada de São Brás
(Bay of Saint Blaise), the village/harbour was renamed Mosselbaai (Bay
of Mussels) in 1601 by Dutch navigator Paulus van Caerden, as he found
the bay to be abundant with mussels. He also called a nearby bay, where
he found cattle herders, Vlees Bay (Bay of Meat). |
 Nomadic
Khoisan people were the first inhabitants of the Mossel Bay area. Caves
in which the remains of several Khoisan settlements have been found are
located nearby, with the one located the starting point of the walking
trail to the nearby town of Dana Bay, now a national monument. A Khoisan
cultural village is also located at the cave, but has been criticised for
being "commercial". Other tribes also lived in the area, including the
Gouriquas. Certain traditional leaders have asked that the town be renamed
"Gouriqua". A more recent discovery at nearby Pinnacle Point is claimed
to be the earliest evidence of human seaside settlement.
The Dias Museum Complex marks
the spot of the historical landing of Dias. The 500 year old Post Office
Tree, a national monument, can still be seen at the site, now harbouring
a post box shaped as a shoe.
 The
original Mossel Bay Stone has been moved to the National Cultural History
Museum of South Africa, but a cast is in the collection of the Dias Museum.
Also located in the complex
are the remnants of the spring used by sailors, although the stream now
flows underground.
The Maritime Museum houses
a replica of the caravel on which Dias arrived. The caravel arrived in
Mossel Bay in 1987, a gift from the Government of Portugal. Another highlight
is a map of Mossel Bay produced by early Dutch sailor, Cornelius de Houtman
in 1595. The Museum is housed in the old Saw Mill Building.
The Granary (now the entrance
to the complex) includes an exhibition on the cultural life of Cape Coloured
communities in Mossel Bay during apartheid. The Shirley Building hosts
the shell museum and a small aquarium including a 476 kg great white shark
caught of the coast of nearby Hartenbos. Munroshoek in the complex includes
the oldest houses in town. Recently, the building in which a Cultural History
Museum was housed for many years was sold and became a private arts centre. |
| Also see:
Mossel
Bay - a Small Harbour Town with a Lot of Muscle! by: Gregory
Hudson |
 Here
are some other great facts about Mossel Bay that many people do not know
about:
Mossel Bay has the second
most moderate climate in the world, second to Hawaii, with 320 sunny days
in the year, 24 km of Beautiful Beaches, Golf Courses, Cape St Blaize Cave
and Lighthouse, Game Reserves, Whale watching and Boat trips, Shark Cage
Diving and even swimming with sharks, Ethno Botanical Garden and Braille
Trail (for sight-impaired), The Old Post Office Tree (where letters were
posted under a rock under this tree as far back at 1501), Maritime Museum
(Bartholomew Dias) and a Shell Museum, Billeon Surf and Sand Boarding,
Horse Trails, Helicopter Flips, Fishing, Skydiving
and so much more. |
View
map of the Garden Route
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MOSSEL
BAY - GUEST HOUSES / BED & BREAKFASTS / GUEST LODGES, GARDEN ROUTE,
SOUTH AFRICA
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African
Oceans Manor on the Beach, Guest House/Self-Catering, MOSSEL BAY
Experience the essence of
African Oceans luxury holiday accommodation, awakening to the sight and
sound of the sea. Guests have a choice of luxurious stylishly appointed
air conditioned suites with balconies/patios overlooking the golden beach
and beautiful Outeniqua Mountains. Self catering and bed and breakfast
options are available. Situated between Mossel Bay and Hartenbos on the
Garden route, South Africa. Jacuzzi pool, bar facilities, 24 hour
ADSL internet facilities, credit card and laundry facilities, Dinners,
breakfast baskets and light lunches are available by arrangement. |
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Bay
Lodge, MOSSEL BAY
Bay Lodge on the Beach offers
unique beachfront accommodation. Enjoy 4 star luxury, comfort and the tranquillity
of Bay Lodge, blending luxury beachfront accommodation with superb facilities
& services to meet the demands of the global traveller. Of course
with a view to match! Take our steps to the beach, take a refreshing
swim in the ocean or pool or just spend a day relaxing on the beach.
Unwind with a drink overlooking the Bay. Cosy Pub with well stocked wine
cellar. True South African hospitality is on offer. Enjoy a traditional
home cooked dinner or a Braai (BBQ) by prior arrangement. All rooms
with en-suite bathrooms decorated in a nautical style. |
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Lilies
& Leopards B&B, MOSSEL BAY
Situated in Dana Bay, a
suburb of Mossel Bay, this upmarket and stylish 4-star accommodation offers
you warm hospitality and breathtaking sea views. Come and relax in this
tranquil environment and the best South Africa and the Garden Route has
to offer. We would love to share our little piece of heaven with
you. Beautiful views of the ocean right from your bedroom or balcony. Watch
the African sunrise or sunset or spot the dolphins in the waves. Whales
can be watched from June - October, Dolphins can be seen daily. With
Dana Bay being a nature conservancy, bushbuck can still be seen roaming
in the area and bird life is abundant. Dana Bay is well known for it's
"Fynbos". Lilies & Leopards B&B offers you a perfect place to relax
and enjoy nature at its best. |
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Melkhoutkloof
Guest House, MOSSEL BAY
Elegant Guest House situated
in the heart of South Africa's Garden Route. Go on a 4x4 Game drive,
Visit the Cango Caves, Crocodile and Ostrich Farms, or just relax on pristine
sandy beaches. Watch the Whales and Dolphins from your private balcony.
Walking distance to pristine sandy beaches. Easy distance to Oudtshoorn,
Wilderness and Knysna. 5 Elegantly furnished en suite (bath and shower)
bedrooms with kloof and sea views. Situated between Mossel Bay and
George. Breakfast and dinner are served in the common dining room or outside
on the patio, while the hotel’s bar offers refreshing drinks. There are
many restaurants near the guesthouse.. |
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
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Hotel
Portao Diaz, D'Almeida, MOSSEL BAY
This great value for money
hotel consisting of 33 sea facing en-suite rooms with DSTV. The hotel
is situated in a previously disadvantaged community and in the apartheid
era was the only hotel in Mossel Bay open for them. Now of course
the hotel is open for all South Africans as well as a great place for tourists
to experience the local culture and at the same time stay in a clean and
comfortable room. Our hotel offers spectacular views of the bay,
a popular restaurant, heated pool and a cozy bar with big screen TV for
live sport as well as pool tables. |
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Protea
Hotel by Marriott Mossel Bay, MOSSEL BAY
North facing with superb
seaviews. Part of Dias Museum Complex, adjacent to the famous Old Post
Office Tree, walking distance to beach, harbour and town. 31 Units
vary from 3 star rooms to 4 star self catering harbour suites. Room categories
vary from std to de lux. Facilities : Breakfast patio with seaviews,
Café Gannet Seafood Restaurant, trendy Blue Oyster cocktail Bar,
outside swimming pool, Jacana Curio Shop. Personal and efficient
service, a gracious style of “olde worlde” hospitality….AA Accommodation
Awards Winner 2007 and 2006 "Best Small Hotel" |
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The
Point Hotel, MOSSEL BAY
Superbly positioned on the
rocks at Mossel Bay's famous Lighthouse, 52 seafacing en-suite rooms with
private balconies overlooking the Indian Ocean. A huge tidal pool in front
of the hotel offers safe bathing and a 15 km walking trail along the coast
starts at the hotel. The property has an unique location built on
rocks above a huge rock pool and overlooks the endless blue expanse of
the Indian Ocean. A four star hotel consisting of 52 seafacing en-suite
rooms with private balconies, will offer you the most exhilarating views.
Rooms are equipped with direct dial telephones, international plug points,
TV with DSTV, ceiling fans, panel heaters, lock-up safes and internet access
in every room. The Hotel is paraplegic friendly and all floors are serviced
with a hydraulic lift and serviced by surveillance cameras |
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - SAFARI & GAME LODGES, GARDEN ROUTE SOUTH AFRICA
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Botlierskop
Private Game Reserve, near MOSSEL BAY
Set
on the foothills of the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains near Mossel Bay
and George in a Malaria Free area in South Africa's Garden Route, Botlierskop
Private Game Reserve ensures a truly unique safari experience. The
Safri Park is only a 4-hour scenic drive from Cape Town, the Mother City
of South Africa, this malaria free, family owned and privately operated
game reserve is home to an abundance of animal and birdlife including 4
of the Big 5. All inclusive rates: accommodation, snacks and drinks
on arrival, tea with the elephants, dinner, breakfast and two game drives.
Half board rates also available. |
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Nyaru
Game Lodge - Garden Route Safaris, Brandwacht, MOSSEL BAY
Situated
in a malaria free area on South Africa's picturesque garden route, Nyaru
Game Lodge nestles between the Outeniqua Mountains and surrounding beaches.
Nyaru Game Lodge is strategically situated in the heart of the Garden Route
(Eden), only 3 hours drive from Cape Town, 30 minutes drive from the George
airport and 10 minutes drive off the N2 from Mossel Bay on the R328 to
Oudtshoorn. You can experience close encounters with our wildlife you will
never forget. Activities between free roaming animals - Quad Bike Safaris,
4x4 Safaris, Horse Back Safaris, Bush walk Safaris and sun downer &
sunset picnics. |
More
accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION, GARDEN ROUTE SOUTH AFRICA
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HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED BY OUR TRAVEL PARTNER:
Lodge
64 Pinnacle Point, Holiday Home, MOSSEL BAY
Located in Mossel Bay, this
vacation home features free WiFi and a terrace. The property is 5 km from
Santos Beach and features views of the sea. An oven and a microwave are
provided in the kitchen and there is a private bathroom with free toiletries
and a hairdryer. A TV is available. Other facilities at Lodge 64 Pinnacle
Point include a spa center, sauna and outdoor pool. You can play tennis
at the property, and the area is popular for golfing and horseback riding.
Diaz Strand is 5.1 km from Lodge 64 Pinnacle Point, and Diaz Musuem is
5.1 km from the property. There are lots of activities in the area, such
as diving and biking. George Airport is 33.8 km away. |
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River
Shack, Holiday Rental Home, Dana Bay near MOSSEL BAY
If you are looking for rustic
yet luxurious accommodation, you will love this unique venue with unsurpassed
views over the river and ocean. Situated on the Blind River Mouth,
in a nature reserve 12 km from Mossel Bay, this self-catering cabin can
comfortably accommodate 8 guests in four bedrooms with two bathrooms (main
en-suite). The kitchen is fully equipped, all linen and towels are supplied
and DSTV is available. The 'finishing touches' at the River Shack are testimony
of the special care that has been taken to ensure that guests enjoy every
aspect of their stay at the cabin. This very unique venue offers total
privacy and is ideal for nature lovers or honeymooners who want to get
away from it all. Key features include a sea facing balcony with deck loungers
and a river facing balcony with braai area. |
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HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED BY OUR TRAVEL PARTNER:
Sundowner
Loft, Self-Catering Apartment, MOSSEL BAY
Located
a 5-minute walk away from the harbour in Mossel Bay, Sundowner Loft is
a spacious and homely loft apartment with a private deck and sea views.
The beach is a 900 m walk away. The apartment has wooden flooring and features
a seating area with TV and DVD player and a kitchenette with a small stove,
toaster and refrigerator and wooden dining table. There is a small library
with books and the bathroom is fitted with a shower. Sundowner Loft has
barbecue facilities and offers free WiFi. If you feel like visiting the
surroundings, check out the Diaz Museum, which is 850 m away. |
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