Mossel Bay
A working harbour town at the Garden Route's western start — shark cage diving, beaches, and the mildest climate in the country.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
The sunniest town on the Garden Route, and the shark-diving capital of its western half.
The sunniest town on the Garden Route, and the shark-diving capital of its western half.
- Trip Role
- Overnight
- Ideal Stay
- 1-2 days
- Best For
- Shark diving and a sunny Garden Route base
- Go If
- You want shark diving, beaches, and the warmest Garden Route stop.
Why go
Mossel Bay is where the Garden Route begins in earnest — a real working harbour, shark cage diving at Seal Island, long beaches, and the Diaz Museum commemorating the first European landfall. Sunnier and warmer than the rest of the route.
What we love
Shark cage diving and the harbour-side restaurants at dusk.
What to know
2.5h from George airport; a car is essential. Claims one of the mildest climates in the world (rare frost).
Best things nearby
