Knysna is fortunate to have an unfair share of natural beauty – and this is the backdrop for some great free experiences in the area!
Take a leisurely walk
Experience a fynbos walk in town on Leisure Island or take a leisurely walk along the estuary on one of the many walkways around town. The views are exquisite and you can set your own pace!
Experience the best views
All the best viewpoints in Knysna are free of charge, including the famous Knysna Heads, the Brenton-on-Sea viewpoint and Cloud 9 viewpoint in Sedgefield and the Spitzkop viewpoint on the Prince Alfred’s pass!
Visit the beach
The greater Knysna area has an impressive 11 beaches to choose from, all free of charge! Spend the day swimming, tanning, walking and discovering the beautiful coastline.
Bird watching
The region is a birding hotspot – the diverse range of habitats in the Garden Route is home to approximately 300 species of birds! So pack your binoculars and get “twitching”!
Brush up on Knysna’s history
If you’re looking for a quick, fascinating introduction to the history of Knysna through its people and their buildings, there’s a short (less than 1 km) route that you can explore in an hour or two: the Main Street Historic Walk.
Visit the local art galleries
Spend a morning visitng Knysna’s wide variety of art galleries and exhibitions.
Discover the timber history on Thesen island and view the Knysna seahorse
Follow the Thesen Island Heritage walk and finish it off by visiting the SANPARKS office at the end of the jetty to view the iconic Knysna seahorse.
Visit the mosaic garden in Sedgefield
The mosaic garden is a marine-themed Mosaic Park called “The Octopus Garden under the Sea” next to the Scarab Market. Various mosaic sculptures were designed including a giant octopus, a dolphin and an Orca.
Drive the Seven passes road
Take in the glory of the towering mountains, indigenous forests, rolling hills and rivers all at once – by car. The Seven Passes Road swerves through thick forest, over streams, rivers and gorges, and across rolling farmlands. It is so extraordinary that it has been declared as a national monument, along with its historic bridges.
Hike on the beach
There are many hikes in the area with exquisite views – here are some free ones that we highly recommend are the hike from Brenton-on-Sea to Buffalo Bay, the Fisherman’s Walk in Brenton-on-Sea, the Buffalo Bay Hike and a hike on the Wild side at Buffalo Bay which is part of the Goukamma Nature Reserve. In Sedgefield the walk to Gericke’s Point is awe-inspiring. All of these walks are best done at low tide.
