Location

On the Western Cape's south coast, about halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. 

A fairly large seaside town which features prominently in the annals of European exploration: Bartholemeu Dias and Vasco da Gama called in at the bay to fill their ships' casks with fresh water from the local spring; Joao da Nova, in 1501, camped out for long enough to erect a small stone chapel, the first European-type building in what was to become South Africa (nothing remains of this structure).

But in fact Mossel Bay had been seasonal home to other peoples, notably a segment of the indigenous Khoisan  known as ‘Strandlopers' (‘beach walkers'), for generations before, and indeed the very name is taken from the fine mussels these folk collected from the bayshore.  

In recent times Mossel Bay has functioned mainly as a commercial fishing and resort town, popular especially among upcountry holidaymakers, and latterly as a lively business centre, drawing a degree of prosperity from the discovery and exploitation of offshore oil deposits. 

Highlights

Bartholemeu Dias museum complex   Established in 1988, on the 500^th anniversary of Dias's landfall, the museum has many and different components. Among the more unusual is the Post Office Tree, an ancient, gnarled milkwood specimen first used by a Portuguese captain in 1500: he placed his report in its trunk, to be collected and delivered by the next passing fleet, and the habit caught on.

Other features include:

• a replica of the padrao, or cross, erected by Dias;
• the maritime section, where you'll find an exact reconstruction, built to size, of Dias's broad-beamed little ship (known as a caravel) together with maps, old coins, shipwreck salvage and other relics; 
• the original freshwater spring, which now runs into a dam, centrepiece of a small nature reserve (pleasant for picnics) graced by wild olive trees, milkwoods and aloes;
• the cultural museum (local history, including Khoi artefacts), and
• Munroeshoek Cottages, one of which serves as a craft centre.
• There's also the Shell museum (and aquarium), notable for its exquisite seashells.   

The Point  A superb surfing spot, with a rock pool for the less adventurous. From here you can visit a cave used by the early Khoi community, embark on the noted St Blaize hiking trail, take in the spectacular seascape vistas, and watch whales and dolphins sporting in the waters. 

Seal Island  Some 2000 of these lively marine mammals - Cape fur seals - live on the bay's islet; cruise trips are laid on.

Little Brak River  A resort area of sea, lagoon and river located along the coast, on the road to George. The village is set among hills bright with winter-flowering aloes. River-mouth and sea are much favoured by anglers. 

Great Brak River  A companion village to Little Brak River, but rather larger. It also nestles in a lovely setting of estuary and ocean; notable features are the wide beach, and the Spanish-style church.

Gouritz River  The southern coastal region's biggest watercourse, the Gouritz discharges  into the Indian Ocean to the west of Mossel Bay; motorists travelling to or from Cape Town cross over a 65-metre, aloe-festooned gorge. At the river-mouth is a small resort that offers safe bathing, excellent fishing and boating.

Nearest towns

George lies slightly inland to the north-east; Knysna on the coast to the east; Riversdale, on the N2 to the west.

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MOSSEL BAY

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