Take a day while you are on holiday in Greater Knysna to destress and unwind with a walk on one of Knysna or Sedgefield’s stunning beaches followed by some indulgent pampering at a local spa.
There is nothing more exhilarating than being in nature. A long walk on the beach with the sun on your face, the wind in your hair and the salty water lapping at your feet is invigorating and guaranteed to lift your spirits and clear away the cobwebs! There are 11 pristine beaches in the Greater Knysna area so it’s no wonder that it is considered to be a top holiday destination in South Africa.
In Knysna there are endless stretches of white sand on Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay beaches and you can walk all the way from one beach to the other along the curved bay, a distance of about 5,5 km. These beaches are environment friendly, clean, safe and accessible.
Both beaches are a short drive from the centre of town. Bollard Bay beach on Leisure Island is smaller but closer to Knysna and at low tide you can walk along the sand banks as far as The Heads. Noetzie Beach offers a shorter but very scenic walk and a chance to look at the whimsical castles built into the cliffs above the shore. And with access down a flight of 116 stone and concrete steps from the parking area, the walk back from the beach will challenge your fitness levels!
In Sedgefield there are five pristine beaches which run into each other over a stretch of about 6 km from Swartvlei in the west to Platbank in the east. Between these two beaches are Sedgefield, Myoli and Cola beaches.
If you are planning a long beach walk, check the tides as it is much easier to walk along the sand at low tide. And when you’ve had your fill of fresh sea air and exercise for the day, head to the nearest spa for some pampering and relief for those tired muscles.
Knysna has a number of 5-star hotel spas and all offer a comprehensive menu of face and body treatments including massages, exfoliation, scrubs, wraps and facials, as well as the usual salon manicures, pedicures, tinting and waxing. Check their websites for a variety of half and full day packages.
The Pezula Spa at the Pezula Resort Hotel is a specious, airy sanctuary with a world-class hot zone area and a very special post treatment room with heated massage beds to lull you into the final stages of relaxation. The Simola Spa at Simola Hotel Country Club & Spa has a unique curved, glassed-in heated indoor pool and a couple’s therapy room. The Turbine Spa at the Turbine Hotel has single and double treatment rooms and a mosaic-tiled Rasul steam room. At Le Spa Tranquille at The Lofts in the Boatshed on Thesen Harbour Town all the therapy rooms have views of the Knysna Lagoon.
The Zen-Sense Day Spa is not linked to a hotel. Perched above the town in Upper Gray Street, it has a wonderful calming environment and offers treatments for both men and women.
Whichever spa you choose, you can be assured of excellent attention from professional, well trained therapists and a totally relaxing experience to end your day.
