Mossel Bay

Table of Contents

Seal Island

Ah, Mossel Bay. The name alone evokes images of quaint harbours, sea breezes, and those adorable seals we’d booked to see months in advance. It was supposed to be a smooth operation: hop off the cruise ship via tender, waltz into the office of Romonza Boat Trips, and glide over the ocean like David Attenborough on holiday. But as we soon discovered… plans are just suggestions the universe politely ignores.

We arrived bright-eyed and full of maritime enthusiasm. But as we approached the Romonza office, something felt off. Namely: the complete absence of any human life. No staff, no signs, not even a sleepy cat on a windowsill. Just us and a closed door.

Naturally, we did what any modern traveller would do in such a crisis — we whipped out our phones and called them. Several times. Which was mostly just an exercise in listening to our own ringtones.

Still determined, we headed to the harbour to see if we could find their boat — and lo and behold, there it was, the good ship Romonza, looking sadly still and unmistakably broken. Our suspicions were confirmed by a nearby man on another boat, who said (and I quote): “Yeah, that one’s been busted for days.”

Ah, the joys of proactive communication.

But all was not lost! The helpful stranger-slash-boat-operator offered to take us to Seal Island himself. At £20 a head, it felt like a bargain — or at least, a slightly risky but adventurous bargain. While we waited for the rest of his mystery crew to materialise, we were joined by fellow shipmates arriving off the tender. Apparently, this was becoming the unofficial official seal tour.

At around 9:30 AM, the sun hadn’t quite committed to its duties, and the wind had clearly overachieved. But as we approached Seal Island, all complaints were silenced. There they were — thousands of seals, basking, barking, and bouncing in the waves. Many had pups with them, as January is prime seal-maternity ward season. It was magical… and very, very smelly. But mostly magical.

Romonza boat tours did apologise and refund our monies.

Of course, we only had mobile phones to capture the moment, which was a bit like trying to film a BBC wildlife documentary with a potato. Still, we made do with zoomed-in blur and artistic blurs we’d later call “seal-shaped impressions.”

Kaai 4 Braai Beach Bar

Once back on land, we wandered the harbour briefly, but unless you have a burning interest in parked boats and curious gulls, there wasn’t much to see. That’s when we discovered Kaai 4 Braai, a beach bar so delightful it deserves its own postcard. Nestled on the water’s edge, with open flames grilling food and the sun finally pulling its weight, we had found paradise.

Even better? The cruise ship had run out of cider (a cruel twist of fate), but Kaai 4 Braai had plenty — cold, refreshing, and gloriously affordable thanks to South African prices. We basked in the sunshine, drank cider, watched the waves, and laughed more than should be legally allowed.

Some of us indulged in the food, cooked over open fire with delicious aromas wafting by. The presentation? Top-notch. The value? Ridiculously good. The vibe? Immaculate.

As more people from the ship trickled in, it became a full-blown social event — like a floating pub relocated to land for a few sunny hours. Eventually, the time came to catch the tender boat back, slightly sun-kissed and thoroughly satisfied.

So no, our original Seal Island tour didn’t go as planned. But in the end, we got the seals, we got the cider, and we got a story far better than anything we could’ve booked in advance.

Moral of the story? Always expect the unexpected… and never underestimate the power of a beach bar.

Travel Tips

💰 Currency & Money Matters

Local currency: South African Rand (ZAR or R). Notes come in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200.
Exchange rate: As of early 2025, £1 = approximately R23 (but rates fluctuate, so check before you travel).
Cards vs Cash: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, even at smaller restaurants and shops. Visa and Mastercard are most commonly used.
ATMs: Easily found in town and at major shopping centres, but use those in secure locations (inside malls or banks).
Tipping: Tipping is expected — 10–15% at restaurants, R5–R10 for petrol attendants or car guards, and around R20 for local tour guides.

🦺 Safety Tips

Mossel Bay is generally considered one of the safer towns along the Garden Route, but here are a few smart tips:

Stay aware: Stick to well-lit and busier areas, especially at night. Don’t flash valuables or large amounts of cash.
Use common sense: Avoid walking alone in quiet areas after dark.
Lock your belongings: Whether you’re in a car or accommodation, always lock doors and keep valuables out of sight.
Beach safety: Swim at designated beaches with lifeguards. The Indian Ocean can have strong currents — look out for flags and signs.
Scams/Street hustlers: Rare in Mossel Bay, but be polite and firm if someone offers unsolicited “help” or tries to sell you something aggressively.

🚤 Local Transport & Getting Around

On foot: The harbour and beachfront area is very walkable.
Uber/Bolt: Available in larger cities, but less common here. Local taxis (not metered) are available but often need to be pre-arranged.
Car hire: If you’re planning to explore beyond Mossel Bay (e.g., to Oudtshoorn or Knysna), hiring a car is a great idea. Roads are generally in good condition.

🐬 What to Do

Seal Island Tour: Book with a reputable operator (and maybe double-check the boat is operational 😅).
Diaz Museum Complex: Learn about early Portuguese explorers and see a life-size replica of Bartholomeu Dias’ ship.
Santos Beach: Great for a swim or sunbathe — it’s Blue Flag certified.
Kaai 4 Braai: A must-visit beach bar for local food, cold drinks, and a killer view.
Shark Cage Diving: For the brave — done from nearby towns, but Mossel Bay has a few operators.

🧥 Weather Watch

Summer (Dec–Feb): Warm and sunny — perfect beach weather. Pack sunscreen and a hat.
Winter (Jun–Aug): Mild with occasional rain. A light jacket will do.
Wind: Mossel Bay can get breezy, especially in the mornings, so bring a windbreaker for boat trips.

🎁 Local Souvenirs

Handcrafted curios, beadwork, local wines, biltong (South African dried meat), and aloe-based skincare products are all good buys.

👋 Final Tip

South Africans are friendly and welcoming, especially in Mossel Bay. A smile and a friendly greeting go a long way!

Weather

Temp – Celsius Rain – mm	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High Temp	23	23	23	21	20	18	18	18	18	19	21	22
Low Temp	14	15	14	12	9	7	7	7	8	10	19	14
Rainfall	42	36	47	50	43	41	42	51	37	48	56	41
Number of days	6	6	6	6	5	5	6	6	6	6	6	6

Average daily temperatures and rainfall