Nomadic Khoisan’s were the first inhabitants of the Mossel Bay area. On 3 February 1488 Bartolomeu Dias became the first seafarer from Europe to sail into Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay owes its origin and growth to the seafaring trade.

Mossel Bay the picturesque coastal holiday town and port, set on sun washed slopes of Cape St Blaize overlooking the expansive bay, against the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains. Mossel Bay situated on the southern coast of South Africa; lies on the Indian Ocean coast and is halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. From Nelspruit to Mossel Bay is approximately 1500km and Bloemfontein to Mossel Bay 780km. Great Brak River is 21km from Mossel Bay a must to visit. Mossel Bay’s, known for its Mossgas project, where offshore gas fields are mined for gas that is then converted into petroleum. There is an abundance of mussels, oysters, tunny and black marlin on this part of the coastline.

Due to the towns rich history, there are many museums in Mossel Bay to visit, there is the Maritime Museum which focuses on the sailing and ships of the early days of discovery, it is home to the impressive life-size replica of Bartolomeu Diass caravel, the ship in which he sailed into Mossel Bay in the year 1488. Of a bygone era route maps to the east and ship models are displayed.

Mossel Bay Climate

Mossel Bay has hot yet pleasant summers and wet mild winters. Year-round sunshine with hot summers (October-March), with temperatures rising to 27°C (80,6°F) into the mid-thirties Celsius (mid-nineties Fahrenheit). Winter, weather is mild and rainy during the rainy season.

For more information on weather in the Plettenberg Bay, contact the South African Weather Bureau on +27 21 288 0030 or more information

Mossel Bay Tourist Attractions