Knysna, but not the Knysna you think

Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem

Last updated: Thursday, 4 December 2026 

Beyond the famous Heads and estuary lies a Knysna many travellers miss (some don't even know that there are beaches). 

Think warm, aquamarine coves where children learn to swim; forests so quiet you can hear the emerald-green Knysna Loerie flap its red-tipped wings and restaurants where your table sits right in the sand. Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of their Garden Route gem. 

Knysna has forest hikes, rivers, and calm beaches. Image: Visit Knysna

BETWEEN WILDERNESS & PLETT  

Knysna is an estuary town wrapped in forests, rivers and wide beaches that many travellers drive past. 

It’s just 30 minutes before you reach Plettenberg Bay and under an hour from Wilderness, making it the first coastal gem you hit as the N2 curves toward the sea.

DOLPHIN & WHALE SPOTTING IN SEASON 

Buffalo Bay beach is calm and wide, ideal for swimming, surfing, and skiing, with lifeguards on duty and warm waters that make it safe and easy to be in. 

Buffalo Bay also has a restaurant called Wild Side, where you can dine with your feet in the sand. You might even spot whales here, as well as Brenton-on-Sea beach.

IS THAT LEISURE ISLAND OR LAKE COMO? 

Like Italy’s Lake Como, Leisure Island’s aquamarine water stays shallow for a long time before it gets deep. You can walk around at low tide and discover hidden treasures like Island Milkwood, a tiny beach great for snorkelling. There’s also cycling, canoeing, fishing and birding. 

You can spot whales in season. Image: Visit Knysna

CURIOUS CREATURES ON A MOONLIGHT MEANDER

It happens at full moon when the tide is very low. This nighttime safari is led by local marine biologist Judy Dixon, and the route goes from Swartvlei Beach to the tidal pools at Gericke’s Point (1km away), where you’ll explore the local marine life with torches. 

Each beach has its own mix of fauna and flora, from flowering false plum anemones to feather stars, feather duster worms, sponges, and sea fans lighting up the water with colour.

RIVERS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE BEACHES

Goukamma Nature Reserve, with a freshwater lake, lies between Knysna and Sedgefield. You can hike along the Goukamma River, stay the night, or simply walk through its quiet trails. 

Along this stretch are two gems: Riverdeck Restaurant, where you can sit right on the water and eat, and Blackwaters Water River Lodge, where you can rent canoes or play a round of mashie golf. The course has shorter holes than a traditional course, making it quicker and more accessible. 

Knysna’s rivers are just as beautiful as its beaches. Image: Visit Knysna

YOU CAN EVEN DO FOREST BATHING 

This is a calming Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature. If you're in the Knysna Forest, with quiet all around, you can hear Knysna Loeries singing, and see their emerald green and red-tipped wings flash as they fly between yellowwood and stinkwood trees. 

Knysna is also home to elephants and leopards. Most are protected within the Garden Route National Park.

Forest bathing is a calming Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature. Image: Visit Knysna

KNOWN FOR OYSTERS (AND SOURDOUGH!) 

When you think of Knysna, you probably think oysters, and you’re right. You can try 34 South for amazing dressed oysters with different toppings like soy sauce, chimichurri and even grilled blue cheese. 

Knysna is also famous for sourdough bread. Ile de Pain (French for “‘island of bread”’) is located on Thesen Island, with a selection of sourdough breads and beautiful European-style pastries. They elevated sourdough baking to a cult status that took South Africa by storm and is famous for their wide variety of breads and pastries. 

Oysters, pastries, and vetkoek are some of the treats you can try in Knysna. Image: Visit Knysna

MARKETS & PUBLIC ART IN SEDGEFIELD 

The Wild Oats Community Farmer’s Market in Sedgefield happens every Saturday. Rose Brettel and Sue Garrner, the friendly faces behind the Sedgefield Farmer’s Market, started the market on an insignificant piece of land with hardly any infrastructure.

Today, it is an award-winning landmark and considered to be one of the best farmers' markets in the country. From farm-fresh produce to homemade crafts, the market became part of the town’s Saturday rhythm. It isn’t just a market. It’s where Greater Knysna comes together.

Sedgefield also has almost 50 public mosaic artworks, from vibrant murals to intricate benches created by the Sedgefield Community Mosaic Project, facilitated by Masithandane Community Centre. They’ve transformed Sedgefield into the mosaic capital of South Africa. 

If you’re an art lover, there are also oil painting and acrylic classes, and even classes for kids. See all the art classes you can join on Visit Knysna’s website.

MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS 

The Knysna Heads is probably the best-known, most recognised river mouth in South Africa; and maybe amongst the most iconic, with dramatic views where the estuary meets the sea. By boat you can get close by, and go through to the ocean, a thrilling experience. 

There used to be elephants in the Knysna forest, but now there is only one female left. However, you can marvel at orphaned elephants, and feed them, at the The Knysna Elephant Park. 

VISIT KNYSNA

In addition to the beautiful Knysna estuary, there’s family-friendly Buffalo Bay beach, the shallow aquamarine waters of Leisure Island, Brenton-on-Sea, Myoli and Swartvlei beaches in Sedgefield, and the Noetzie beach dotted with castles. Combine that with forest bathing, mosaic art, markets and wildlife; it’s a destination full of surprises for those who want to see more than the usual sights.

Find it: Knysna, Garden Route
More information: On the Visit Knysna website
Contact on: info@visitknysna.co.za 

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