Mossel Bay

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route. Well-traveled pleasure boats dock regularly as well as other international seafarers using the modern docking facilities. Mossel Bay is a rapidly growing tourist destination as more and more travelers are discovering the Jewel of the Cape Garden Route.

Attractions

Mossel Bay's main attraction is the Bartholomeu Dias Museum Complex. It comprises most of the surviving old buildings, the spring from which Dias replenished his fresh water supply and the imposing post office tree. This huge milkwood tree served passing sea captains as a convenient message center in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Visitors still can deposit letters here in a small postbox next to the tree, as long as it is nothing urgent. Steam Train Yard The last remaining iron giants of the steam train are housed, refurbished and maintained at Voorbaai, a ten-minute drive from Mossel Bay. The present number is between 20 to 30 locomotives ranging from the mighty Garrants to GMANs and is a great place to visit for steam train enthusiasts. Golf The 18-hole Mossel Bay Golf Club is about a 10 minute drive from the port. Redesigned by Robert Grimsdell in 1957, the course is situated on high ground with the sea visible from every tee.

Shopping

Mossel Bay has a few one-stop shopping malls offering a variety of boutiques, specialty and curio shops. At the Model Shipyard visitors can tour the factory and see how ship models are created. These hand made models can be purchased and shipped via DHL anywhere in the world.

Food

As the name of the town suggests, mussels are a specialty in many of the local restaurants. Eateries also serve fish and chips, steaks or pizzas.

Currency

The local currency is the rand.

Weather Forecast

Sailing Calendar

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