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map of Mossel Bay |
Mossel Bay (Mosselbaai
in Afrikaans and Dutch) lies on the southern coast of South Africa, east
of the Cape of Good Hope and west of Knysna. It lies on the Indian Ocean
coast and is part of the Garden Route.
Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu
Dias arrived here on February 3, 1488, thus proving to his sponsors that
Africa had a southern tip; making it theoretically possible to sail from
Europe to India. Originally called by Dias Aguada de São Brás
(Bay of Saint Blaise), the village/harbour was renamed Mosselbaai (Bay
of Mussels) in 1601 by Dutch navigator Paulus van Caerden, as he found
the bay to be abundant with mussels. He also called a nearby bay, where
he found cattle herders, Vlees Bay (Bay of Meat). |
 Nomadic
Khoisan people were the first inhabitants of the Mossel Bay area. Caves
in which the remains of several Khoisan settlements have been found are
located nearby, with the one located the starting point of the walking
trail to the nearby town of Dana Bay, now a national monument. A Khoisan
cultural village is also located at the cave, but has been criticised for
being "commercial". Other tribes also lived in the area, including the
Gouriquas. Certain traditional leaders have asked that the town be renamed
"Gouriqua". A more recent discovery at nearby Pinnacle Point is claimed
to be the earliest evidence of human seaside settlement.
The Dias Museum Complex marks
the spot of the historical landing of Dias. The 500 year old Post Office
Tree, a national monument, can still be seen at the site, now harbouring
a post box shaped as a shoe.
 The
original Mossel Bay Stone has been moved to the National Cultural History
Museum of South Africa, but a cast is in the collection of the Dias Museum.
Also located in the complex
are the remnants of the spring used by sailors, although the stream now
flows underground.
The Maritime Museum houses
a replica of the caravel on which Dias arrived. The caravel arrived in
Mossel Bay in 1987, a gift from the Government of Portugal. Another highlight
is a map of Mossel Bay produced by early Dutch sailor, Cornelius de Houtman
in 1595. The Museum is housed in the old Saw Mill Building.
The Granary (now the entrance
to the complex) includes an exhibition on the cultural life of Cape Coloured
communities in Mossel Bay during apartheid. The Shirley Building hosts
the shell museum and a small aquarium including a 476 kg great white shark
caught of the coast of nearby Hartenbos. Munroshoek in the complex includes
the oldest houses in town. Recently, the building in which a Cultural History
Museum was housed for many years was sold and became a private arts centre. |
| Also see:
Mossel Bay - a Small Harbour Town with
a Lot of Muscle! by: Gregory Hudson |
 Here
are some other great facts about Mossel Bay that many people do not know
about:
Mossel Bay has the second
most moderate climate in the world, second to Hawaii, with 320 sunny days
in the year, 24 km of Beautiful Beaches, Golf Courses, Cape St Blaize Cave
and Lighthouse, Game Reserves, Whale watching and Boat trips, Shark Cage
Diving and even swimming with sharks, Ethno Botanical Garden and Braille
Trail (for sight-impaired), The Old Post Office Tree (where letters were
posted under a rock under this tree as far back at 1501), Maritime Museum
(Bartholomew Dias) and a Shell Museum, Billeon Surf and Sand Boarding,
Horse Trails, Helicopter Flips, Fishing, Skydiving
and so much more. |
View
map of the Garden Route
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MOSSEL
BAY - GUEST HOUSES / BED & BREAKFASTS / GUEST LODGES
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African
Oceans Manor on the Beach, B&B/Guesthouse/Self-Catering, MOSSEL BAY
Experience the essence of
African Oceans luxury holiday accommodation, awakening to the sight and
sound of the sea. Guests have a choice of luxurious stylishly appointed
air conditioned suites with balconies/patios overlooking the golden beach
and beautiful Outeniqua Mountains. Self catering and bed and breakfast
options are available. Situated between Mossel Bay and Hartenbos on the
Garden route, South Africa. Jacuzzi pool, bar facilities, 24 hour
ADSL internet facilities, credit card and laundry facilities, Dinners,
breakfast baskets and light lunches are available by arrangement. |
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Avenues
Guesthouse, B&B/Guesthouse, MOSSEL BAY
Situated on the gateway
to the Garden Route and above beautiful Mossel Bay, Avenues Guesthouse
is a place of tranquillity. Enjoy the peacefulness without being too far
from the scenic spots of Mossel Bay which are just minutes away: The Mossel
Bay Golf Course, the St. Blaize Lighthouse, museums, hiking trails, beaches,
shark cage diving, steam train trips to George, boat trips, whale watching
and bungee jumping – just to name a few. Restaurants and shopping malls
are also nearby. Avenues Guesthouse offers 4 comfortable and individually
decorated double rooms, one twin room and a family unit with a double room
and a twin room. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and their own entrance.
Relax at our sparkling solar-heated swimming pool with cosy braai-area
or in our tranquil and neat courtyard with fountain. |
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Bay
Lodge on the Beach, MOSSEL BAY
Bay Lodge on the Beach offers
unique beachfront accommodation. Enjoy 4 star luxury, comfort and the tranquillity
of Bay Lodge, blending luxury beachfront accommodation with superb facilities
& services to meet the demands of the global traveller. Of course
with a view to match! Take our steps to the beach, take a refreshing
swim in the ocean or pool or just spend a day relaxing on the beach.
Unwind with a drink overlooking the Bay. Cosy Pub with well stocked wine
cellar. True South African hospitality is on offer. Enjoy a traditional
home cooked dinner or a Braai (BBQ) by prior arrangement. All rooms
with en-suite bathrooms decorated in a nautical style. |
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Lilies
& Leopards B&B, MOSSEL BAY
Situated in Dana Bay, a
suburb of Mossel Bay, this upmarket and stylish 4-star accommodation offers
you warm hospitality and breathtaking sea views. Come and relax in this
tranquil environment and the best South Africa and the Garden Route has
to offer. We would love to share our little piece of heaven with
you. Beautiful views of the ocean right from your bedroom or balcony. Watch
the African sunrise or sunset or spot the dolphins in the waves. Whales
can be watched from June - October, Dolphins can be seen daily. With
Dana Bay being a nature conservancy, bushbuck can still be seen roaming
in the area and bird life is abundant. Dana Bay is well known for it's
"Fynbos". Lilies & Leopards B&B offers you a perfect place to relax
and enjoy nature at its best. |
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Melkhoutkloof
Guest House, MOSSEL BAY
Elegant Guest House situated
in the heart of South Africa's Garden Route. Go on a 4x4 Game drive,
Visit the Cango Caves, Crocodile and Ostrich Farms, or just relax on pristine
sandy beaches. Watch the Whales and Dolphins from your private balcony.
Walking distance to pristine sandy beaches. Easy distance to Oudtshoorn,
Wilderness and Knysna. 5 Elegantly furnished en suite (bath and shower)
bedrooms with kloof and sea views. Situated between Mossel Bay and
George. AA Accommodation Awards Winner 1999, 2000 and 2001 for best
Guest House. 2002 AA Hall of Fame of Award. |
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
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Diaz
Strand Hotel & Resort, MOSSEL BAY
At the heart of the picturesque
Garden Route, in the historically-rich and climatically-temperate town
of Mossel Bay, and right at the ocean’s edge, lies a celebration of opulence
and splendour: the matchless Diaz Strand Hotel. 86 luxurious sea-facing
rooms, each with its own balcony…nothing to obscure your matchless view
of the whales at play in the sapphire Indian Ocean… satellite television
and a private heated outdoor pool… cotton linen, fluffy towels and air
conditioning…restaurants and cocktail bars just a sunset stroll away… what
more could you possibly want? The Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort offers
a wealth of culinary choices for the epicurean guest. |
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Edward
Charles Manor Hotel, MOSSEL BAY
Fifteen en suite rooms offer
guests a luxurious experience. Enjoy spectacular views of the beaches,
harbour and the Outeniqua Mountains. All rooms have satellite television,
safe, telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities. This hotel is conveniently
situated for all tourist attractions and in easy walking distance to beaches,
yacht club, harbour and town centre. Relax and enjoy our solar heated pool
and jacuzzi. A well-equipped conference room for up to 40 delegates is
available. It is the aim of The Edward Charles to keep up an excellent
standard of service. It is our desire for you to relax, be comfortable
and enjoy our amenities. |
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Hotel
Portao Diaz, MOSSEL BAY
This great value for money
hotel consisting of 33 sea facing en-suite rooms with DSTV. The hotel
is situated in a previously disadvantaged community and in the apartheid
era was the only hotel in Mossel Bay open for them. Now of course
the hotel is open for all South Africans as well as a great place for tourists
to experience the local culture and at the same time stay in a clean and
comfortable room. Our hotel offers spectacular views of the bay,
a popular restaurant, heated pool and a cozy bar with big screen t.v for
live sport as well as pool tables. |
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Protea
Hotel Mossel Bay, MOSSEL BAY
North facing with superb
seaviews. Part of Dias Museum Complex, adjacent to the famous Old Post
Office Tree, walking distance to beach, harbour and town. 31 Units
vary from 3 star rooms to 4 star self catering harbour suites. Room categories
vary from std to de lux. Facilities : Breakfast patio with seaviews,
Café Gannet Seafood Restaurant, trendy Blue Oyster cocktail Bar,
outside swimming pool, Jacana Curio Shop. Personal and efficient
service, a gracious style of “olde worlde” hospitality….AA Accommodation
Awards Winner 2007 and 2006 "Best Small Hotel" |
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The
Point Hotel, MOSSEL BAY
Superbly positioned on the
rocks at Mossel Bay's famous Lighthouse, 52 seafacing en-suite rooms with
private balconies overlooking the Indian Ocean. A huge tidal pool in front
of the hotel offers safe bathing and a 15 km walking trail along the coast
starts at the hotel. The property has an unique location built on
rocks above a huge rock pool and overlooks the endless blue expanse of
the Indian Ocean. A four star hotel consisting of 52 seafacing en-suite
rooms with private balconies, will offer you the most exhilarating views.
Rooms are equipped with direct dial telephones, international plug points,
TV with DSTV, ceiling fans, panel heaters, lock-up safes and internet access
in every room. The Hotel is paraplegic friendly and all floors are serviced
with a hydraulic lift and serviced by surveillance cameras |
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - SAFARI & GAME LODGES
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 Nyaru
Game Lodge - Garden Route Safaris, Brandwacht, MOSSEL BAY
Situated
in a malaria free area on South Africa's picturesque garden route, Nyaru
Game Lodge nestles between the Outeniqua Mountains and surrounding beaches.
Nyaru Game Lodge is strategically situated in the heart of the Garden Route
(Eden), only 3 hours drive from Cape Town, 30 minutes drive from the George
airport and 10 minutes drive off the N2 from Mossel Bay on the R328 to
Oudtshoorn. You can experience close encounters with our wildlife you will
never forget. Activities between free roaming animals - Quad Bike Safaris,
4x4 Safaris, Horse Back Safaris, Bush walk Safaris and sun downer &
sunset picnics.
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
MOSSEL
BAY - SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
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Fairways
Self Catering, Self-Catering/B&B Apartment, MOSSEL BAY
Whether you are planning
to visit the picturesque world renowned Garden Route or you are planning
to play golf on the magnificent Mossel Bay Golf Course, look no further.
This luxury apartment is situated on the upmarket Mossel Bay residential
Golf Estate and Nature Reserve where there is 24 hours security. Mossel
Bay is the gateway of the famous Garden Route and world renowned golf courses
like Fancourt, Pinnacle Point, Oubaai, Simola etc. as well as all the major
towns of the Garden Route, are within 30 to 45 minute reach from Fairways.
Even if you do not want to play golf, make Fairways your destination from
where to explore the whole Garden Route. You will enjoy the magnificent
view of the Indian Ocean and the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain Range from
all the rooms of the apartment... |
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River
Shack, Self-Catering Home, MOSSEL BAY
If you are looking for rustic
yet luxurious accommodation, you will love this unique venue with unsurpassed
views over the river and ocean. Situated on the Blind River Mouth,
in a nature reserve 12 km from Mossel Bay, this self-catering cabin can
comfortably accommodate 8 guests in four bedrooms with two bathrooms (main
en-suite). The kitchen is fully equipped, all linen and towels are supplied
and DSTV is available. The 'finishing touches' at the River Shack are testimony
of the special care that has been taken to ensure that guests enjoy every
aspect of their stay at the cabin. This very unique venue offers total
privacy and is ideal for nature lovers or honeymooners who want to get
away from it all. Key features include a sea facing balcony with deck loungers
and a river facing balcony with braai area. |
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Villa
Gouriqua, Luxury Self-Catering Apartment, MOSSEL BAY
Luxury
apartment with beautiful sea views in a new development in central Mossel
Bay. Situated just a few minutes walk from Santos Beach, Munro's Bay and
yacht club. The Post office tree and Diaz Museum complex are virtually
on our doorstep. Shops, restaurants and banks are within walking distance
and a shopping centre and cinema only a 5 minute drive. We have safe underground
parking and a lift. Main bedroom is en-suite with double bed and
second bedroom has one single bed and a bunk bed. Open plan kitchen and
living area with sliding doors leading onto outside veranda with barbeque.
Living area includes leather couches, flat screen TV, DVD/CD player and
DSTV decoder... |
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accommodation in Mossel Bay
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