Places of Interest

A long time the “Cinderella” of the Garden Route, Mossel Bay is now one of its most popular holiday destinations, attracting both local and overseas visitors. Swimming is safe and the beaches a miniature paradise for families. The lovely “Sloop” at the Point is a narrow channel between the ochre-tinted rocks where, in an incoming tide, a swim is like an invigorating dip in champagne. The Point, a magnificent rocky extension into the ocean, has become something of a Mecca for surfers from all over the world and it is a favourite occupation of Mossel Bay residents and visitors to watch them riding waves in the “Inner” and “Outer Pool”, swooping fearlessly inshore over the rocks. By contrast, there is a safe tidal paddling pool for young children right alongside this surfers'paradise. The St Blaize Lighthouse (see page 4) has stood guard over the Point since it was built in 1864, its siren still booming out on foggy nights to warn passing ships of their proximity to this rocky coast. Below the Lighthouse lies the Cave, where traces have been found of its ancient inhabitants, the people known as “Strandlopers”. The illuminated cross of St Blaize above the Cave is a reminder of the early Portuguese explorers. There is a spectacular walk from the Cave along the cliff path, and the sight of the sea crashing on to the cliffs and rocks and into caves far below is awesome. This walk can be a short stroll or be extended as far as Dana Bay.The popular Diaz Beach with its many 'time share' and holiday apartments has a bathing beach as well as a heated, freshwater swimming pool, and there is much to entertain holiday makers, especially in the long summer holiday when many thousands of visitors descend on the town in ever increasing numbers. There is so much more to interest and entertain Mossel Bay's visitors.hose who enjoy history can while away hours in the Bartolomeu Diaz Museum complex the Museum itself houses a replica of Diaz's Caravel

this modern version having sailed from Portugal in late 1987 to arrive in Mossel Bay on 3 February 1988, in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Diaz's landing. Visitors are taken on board by guides for a thorough look at how even modern sailors travelled in a ship of this kind in the most primitive conditions. The Museum has a comprehensive background to the early Portuguese Voyages of Discovery with particular reference to this coast. There is a Shell Museum in the Complex, a re-creation of the Granary, now a Conference Centre, and a herb garden with special facilities for Blind visitors. And, of course, the Post Office Tree! Walking tours around the town's focal point are run by the Bartolomeu Diaz Museum, and times can be confirmed with the Museum.