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No Hurry.... No Worries
The irony of Mossel Bay is that it offers so much to do - and yet so Many people visit this quaint harbour town because what they really want to do is.... absolutely nothing at all.
It's an irony that's created by those long, sandy beaches and the warm Indian Ocean and by the area's sun-shiny weather with more than 300 clear days a year, almost every day's a beach day in Mossel Bay.
Attractions
Mossel Bay's many attractions include its history, environment, and people, culture, shopping, spas, sports, entertainment, which is why your first stop should be at the conveniently situated Tourism Information Office.
Mossel Bay is one of South Africa's great whale and dolphin watching destinations. While it's exciting to see these graceful mammals from the shore it's positively thrilling to see them up close and personal, from the deck of a boat. Because it's almost unspoiled, the Bay is also the only place where scientists can still study the natural behaviour of great white sharks and there's nothing more thrilling than seeing these handsome beasts in their own enviroment. So shark cage diving becomes a must-do.
Adventures on land include 4x4, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking trails and, this being Africa, your visit wouldn't be complete without a relaxing game drive on one of the region's private reserves. There's elephant-back riding if you're up for something a little more jumbo!
Mossel Bay offers culture, beauty spas, theatre, entertainment, gaming and shopping, you'll find both modern malls and quaint, old-fashioned high street stores, and one of the town's charms is that most of the old quater ramains as it was fifty years ago. Modern development has generally taken place in the outlying suburbs.
The Dias Museum Complex
One of Mossel Bay's oldest popular attractions is the Post Office Tree, the old white milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) around which the Dias Museum Complex is built. The tradition of posting letters from here began in 1501, when the explorer Pedro d Ateida left a message hidden in an old boot tied to the tree, describing to his colleague, Joao de Nova, how he'd lost much of his fleet in a storm. Incredibly, da Nova found the letter and the tree has served as a kind of a postal blearing house ever since. But this wasn't the first time Europeans had come to these shores. Bartolomeu Dias and his crew had sailed into the Bay in 1488 and Vasco da Gana had called in during 1497,it was da Gana who named the place Aguada de Sao Bras – the Watering Place of St Blaize - and, in the first commercial transaction between Europeans and South Africans, bartered for cattle with the locals.
Accommodation
Mossel Bay's greatest pride is that it offers beachfront accommodation to everyone no matter how big or small your budget. So it's perfect if you're looking for a caravan or camping site, a B&B, a Guest House, Self-catering accommodation or 4-star Hotel by the water's edge. Of course there's a whole selection of inland accommodation, too - literally, something for everyone.
A full list of beaches is available from the Tourism Information Office or online at www.visitmosselbay.co.za. Here are some of the more popular ones:
De Bakke beach has municipal chalets, a caravan park and a 50m swimming area and it's also popular with anglers. Diaz beach is 3 km in length, fronts the Diaz beach Resort area, and has two designated swimming areas, ablutions, and a municipal caravan park. Hartenbos beach is 6km long and has two designated swimming areas with ablutions. Santos beach boasts a picturesque Victorian Beach Pavilion, a kilometre-long swimming area and a municipal caravan park. Tergniet /Rheebok beach at Little Brak River is 8 km long and has four designated swimming areas with ablutions and a tidal pool. The Point, at the Cape St Blaize Lighthouse, is popular with locals and visitors alike. It has two fine tidal pools, a promenade; children'd play areas, six restaurants, a shark and ray aquarium and the Cape St Blaize Cave.
Vleesbaai & Boggomsbaai are characterised by traditional fishermen’s cottages. Lovely and romte region and worth visiting for their peace and tranquillity. Dana Bay is a residential area within a conservancy. Great bird watching (116 species) and a sandy, 16 km-long beaches.
Ruiterbosch - just off the Robertsib Oass - offers scenic drives, hiking trails and challenging 4x4 routes. Perfect for bird watching and anyone interested in the fynbos with its ericas and proteas.
Tarka is famous for its stone houses - which were built of local rock quarried in a unique way: boulders were buried under bonfires during the day and then exposed to the cool night air. The cracked stones were then dressed by expert masons.
Hartenbos is above all a holiday village, with an endless, irresistible beach. Visit the Hartenbos Museum to learn about the Great Trek (1838).
Little Brak River is popular for water sports and angling.
The outlyning areas of Reebok and Tergniet are known as excellent land-based whale and dolphin watching destinations.
Great Brak River celebrates its 150th year in 2009. Known for its fishing, boating and beaches, it has a number of marked walking trails and a local history museum. 165,000 Year of holidays in Mossel Bay: Genetic research has proved that all modern humans stemmed from a core population of about 600 individuals.
These individuals lived in Africa about 165,000 years ago - and we now know that they lived here, in Mossel Bay. Modern human behaviour began with the emergence of complex tools, the oldest evidence for which is found in Mossel Bay.
Above all, though, Mossel Bay has always been a relaxed, welcoming place - and after 165,000 years, is there any wonder it's developed its 'No hurry, No worries' outlook on life? Show more
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Gondwana Game Reserve provides the perfect safari break for Cape Town visitors. Less than a four-hour drive away along South Africa's popular Garden Route, the private game reserve offers a distinctive malaria-free safari experience.
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Bar-t-nique offers top quality corporate and tourist accommodation in Mossel Bay, halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route. A very busy holiday resort in summer and the ideal retreat in winter.
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The perfect place to stay on the Garden Route adjacent to the Mossel Bay Golf Course.
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Built in 1860, this Historical Sandstone House, located in the save Point area in Mossel Bay, offers clean, comfortable and cozy accommodation with friendly service and breakfast to match.
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Through the "door in the wall", the charming paved courtyard and adjoining garden, Asgard Valhalla promises a warm welcome. We also provide secure parking for your vehicle, DSTV, hospitality tray and credit card facilities.
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Point Village Hotel is nestled at the side of a quaint village at The Point in Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay is a popular tourist destination located along the sandy shores of the Indian Ocean. Schools of dolphins like The Point so much that they visit...
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This owner-operated full service hotel set amidst magnificent mountain scenery offers friendly country hospitality, good food, tastefully-decorated rooms and a host of leisure activities including tennis, squash, bowling, swimming plus children's...
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The hotel offers guests a choice of 86 Luxury Rooms and Suites, including two beautifully-appointed Honeymoon Rooms, romantic Joao Grego, the Honeymoon Suite, and Bartholomeu Diaz, the extravagantly opulent Presidential Suite.
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Located in the heart of the Garden Route and superbly positioned on the rocks below Mossel Bay's famous St Blaize Lighthouse, The Point Hotel offers 52 sea-facing, en suite rooms each with a private balcony which guarantees stunning sea views over...
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800 meters from beach! Beautiful mountain and sea view. Three spacious large double en-suite self catering rooms with equipped kitchenette, international shaving facility, hair dryer, ceiling fans with private entrance and front door.
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We offer luxury accommodation in more than 120 fully furnished self catering units in Point Village, Santo's Beach, Nautica and Diaz Beach and surroundings.
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Located in the Heart of the spectacular Garden Route, Mossel Bay beckons you into its beauty, long golden beaches and moderate climate.
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Today's Video - Mosselbay
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