Knysna

A Coastal Gem on the Garden Route

Knysna is a coastal town in South Africa known for its natural beauty and laid-back vibe. The area features calm lagoons, dense forests and scenic beaches that attract visitors year-round. Known as the “Lundin Valley,” it sits between mountains and water, making outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking popular choices. Local markets sell fresh seafood and handmade crafts, reflecting a strong community spirit. With mild weather most of the year, Knysna provides a relaxed escape from busy city life while still delivering plenty of opportunities for exploration and relaxation.

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Town in South Africa

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 5.9

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken and understood in Knysna. Most locals in the tourism industry, as well as shops and restaurants, are fluent in English.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 28 Oct 2026

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Knysna Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great for lagoons and coastal nature. Kayak calm waters, hike forest trails, enjoy oyster tasting and visit viewpoints overlooking the famous Knysna Heads.

Place score

6.8

Best at:

Forests

Sea

Natural sites

Hiking

Cycling

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 8

LGBTQ+

South Africa – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type M Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	South African Rand (ZAR) £1 ≈ ZAR 22.10
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in South Africa, and credit cards are commonly used in most establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% being the standard in restaurants. Small tips for taxis and hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, including parks and beaches. However, it is generally prohibited in public spaces like streets.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Designated smoking zones are available in certain locations.

Freedom Day (27 April)	Celebrates South Africa's first democratic elections
Christmas (25 December)	A major festive holiday in the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance), 112 (from mobile phones)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	South Africa is famous for its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural diversity. It offers a wide range of travel experiences from safaris to coastal adventures.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Knysna, South Africa

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - March, Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

South African school holidays mid December to mid January: accommodation books out months ahead and prices peak

Rain falls year-round on the Garden Route with no true dry season, slightly wetter in spring and autumn

Knysna Oyster Festival runs early July, ten days of food, sport and events

Don't miss

⛵ Sail across the Knysna Lagoon to the Heads
🌿 Explore Featherbed Nature Reserve’s trails and viewpoints
🦪 Taste fresh oysters at a waterfront restaurant
🌅 Take in sunset views from the Knysna Heads viewpoint
🐘 Visit Knysna Elephant Park and feed rescued elephants

You've been here?

Why travel to Knysna?

Knysna is perfect for those who love nature, whether kayaking on the lagoon, hiking in the forests or simply enjoying fresh oysters by the waterfront. The Knysna Heads offer breathtaking views and the surrounding nature reserves are teeming with trails and wildlife. While it’s generally safe, take care at night and avoid isolated areas, as with many destinations.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Featherbed Private Nature Reserve
2 Concordia Forest Trail
3 Knysna Waterfront
4 Thesen's Island
5 Knysna Heads Nail Bar
6 Mitchell's Brewery

🎡Places for activities

1 Knysna Elephant Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Jubilee Creek
2 Garden Route National Park
3 Knysna Heads Nail Bar
4 Drupkelders Hiking Trail
5 Goukamma Nature Reserve
6 Knysna Lagoon

🛍️Shopping

1 Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market

🎈Events

Knysna Oyster Festival
Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival
Knysna Literary Festival
Slow Festival
Knysna Timber Festival
Knysna Motor Show
Knysna Cycle Tour
Knysna Forest Marathon
Knysna Arts Festival
Garden Route Film Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Knysna Heads for stunning coastal views and photo spots.
Take a boat trip on the lagoon to see diverse wildlife and unique scenery.
Explore local art galleries and enjoy fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants.
Time your visit for the Knysna Oyster Festival in July for local culture and culinary delights.

How to travel to Knysna

The nearest airport is George Airport (GRJ), about 70 km away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle. Knysna is also accessible via the scenic N2 highway along the Garden Route.

Access summary

From George Airport (GRJ): Drive or shuttle along N2, about 1 hour.
From Cape Town: Scenic Garden Route drive on N2, usually 5–6 hours.
From Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha: N2 coastal drive or shuttle, roughly 3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Knysna

Knysna offers a range of accommodation from luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses and self‑catering cottages. Staying near the waterfront or in the forests provides beautiful views and easy access to attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

aha The Rex Hotel

8.9

Under Milkwood Chalets

9.4

Amanzi Island Boutique Hotel

9.4

Pezula Nature Retreat

8.4

The Turbine Hotel and Spa

9.3

47th on Howard

9.1

Protea Hotel Knysna Quays

8.6

Simola Hotel, Country Club & Spa

9.2

African Breeze Guest House

9.5

Brenton Beach House

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Knysna

Knysna is best explored by car, as public transport is limited. There are taxis and shuttle services available and boat taxis can take you around the lagoon to Thesen Island and the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-51 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 51% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ZAR) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for George, South Africa - 56 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£33	£80	£221
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£105
🍝 Food per day	£15	£38	£105
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£11

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.80
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.65
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£6
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.60
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£24
🤧 Cold medication	£4.70
💇 Basic haircut	£4.70

Safety information overview

General safety

Knysna is generally safe, but exercise standard caution, especially at night. Stick to well-populated areas and avoid displaying valuables.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Knysna are good, with clinics and a hospital available. For major medical needs, George has larger hospitals about an hour away.

Accessibility

Knysna offers decent accessibility with paved walkways in the town center and at major attractions. However, natural areas and some trails may not be suitable for all mobility levels.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Knysna. However, during droughts or water restrictions, bottled water is recommended.

Packing recommendations for Knysna

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

hat, sunglasses, sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👕

Light, breathable clothing

for changing weather

hat, sunglasses, sun cream

hat, sunglasses, sun cream

📱

Travel eSIM

🔌

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Cape Town

Jeffreys Bay

Hermanus

Table Mountain National Park

Addo Elephant National Park

Cango Caves

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Summary:	Warm and sunny, good for lagoon and beaches
Temperature:	15 – 26 °C
Water temp.:	20 °C
Rain:	62 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Very crowded

Summary:	Warm and sunny, good for lagoon and beaches
Temperature:	16 – 26 °C
Water temp.:	20 °C
Rain:	55 mm (Some rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Warm and mostly dry, good for hiking
Temperature:	15 – 25 °C
Water temp.:	20 °C
Rain:	80 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Mild and pleasant, some showers
Temperature:	12 – 24 °C
Water temp.:	18 °C
Rain:	60 mm (Some rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild with showers, cooler evenings
Temperature:	10 – 23 °C
Water temp.:	17 °C
Rain:	38 mm (On-and-off light rain)
Crowdedness:	Not touristy