Knysna : Profile

Location

Situated midway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, it lies around the wide and spectacular lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River. Whilst not the easiest place to get into, cruisers report that it is well worth the effort and very sheltered once inside. An excellent calm spot to wait for a weather window to Cape Town.

Visiting yachts must have an up to date chart and be sure to time their entry carefully into the narrow entrance (slack tide and a favorable lack of southerly swell). Only suitable for boats that draw less than approx. 7ft. A webcam on the entrance allows remote viewing of the swell conditions. Not an entrance to try if the swells are breaking, or if the tide is ebbing against a significant swell.

Docking

Contact the welcoming Knysna Yacht Club for advice on passage through the "Knysna Heads" into a sheltered lagoon. Bernie is the port captain - call him on 044-382-0955 for details on mooring etc.

It is important to get advice on whether it is safe to enter if there is any amount of swell running.

Several yachts have wintered here in recent times and report that onshore there are a variety of restaurants, shops, hotels, grocery stores, produce markets, etc., as well as a cinema, all within walking distance from the marina.

There are limited repair facilities at the Yacht Club and a home-orientated hardware store at Games.

Last updated January 2012.

Yacht Clubs

Knysna Yacht Club
P.O. Box 613, Knysna 6570
Tel:+27 (0)44 382 5724
www.knysnayachtclub.com/, kyc@kingsley.co.za
Guest moorings available (check beforehand), 7 days free offered to foreign cruising yachts (2010). The tide is about 2m, but the marina moorings float; there's also usually room at the wall, but you'd have to deal with the rise/fall of the tide. Very protected in terms of swell. Halout facility available inc. catamarans up to approx. 7.5m beam plus some repair facilities. Book in advance.

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