Cidade Turismo
South Africa

Before you go

Your trip to Mossel Bay.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Mossel Bay – Cabo Ocidental Destination Garden Route about 390 km from Cidade do Cabo

How to get there

  • Aeroporto de George (GRJ) George · 50 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

From George, the arrival city, it’s about 50 km along the N2, roughly a 40‑minute drive. George Airport (GRJ) is about 50 km away. From Cape Town it’s about 390 km on the N2, around 4½ hours. There are long‑distance buses on the N2 that stop in Mossel Bay.

How many days

One day: the Bartolomeu Dias Museum in the morning, Cape St Blaize and the cliff trail in the afternoon, and sunset at the Point. Visitors coming from Cape Town often make their first Garden Route stop there.

When to go

The climate is mild and dry year‑round, one of the most stable on the coast. Summer is beach season. From July to November it’s common to see whales from the shore and from the museum gardens.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the town centre and the Point, no: everything is walkable. To continue along the Garden Route, yes. Drive on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Mossel Bay
  1. Morning
    Bartolomeu Dias Museum

    Visit the Bartolomeu Dias Museum, climb aboard the caravel replica and post a postcard in the boot‑shaped mailbox next to the post tree.

  2. Afternoon
    Cape St Blaize

    Walk to the lighthouse and the Cape St Blaize cave and follow a section of the cliff trail.

  3. Late afternoon
    The Point

    Watch the sunset at the Point, among the rock pools and the surf.

  4. Evening
    Harbour

    Have fish for dinner near the harbour or at the Point.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Why is Mossel Bay important for history?

It was there that Bartolomeu Dias landed on 3 February 1488, the first European to reach that coast.

What is Mossel Bay’s post tree?

A milkwood tree where, in 1500, Pedro de Ataíde, a captain in Cabral’s fleet, left a letter. Today there is a boot‑shaped mailbox there.

How long from Mossel Bay to George?

About 50 km, roughly 40 minutes via the N2.

Does Mossel Bay have a beach?

Yes. The bay has warmer‑water beaches than the Atlantic, such as Santos Beach, and rock pools at the Point.

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