Home South Africa Garden Route Knysna Heads

ATTRACTION GUIDE · GARDEN ROUTE

Knysna Heads

Two sandstone cliffs guarding the lagoon mouth of Knysna, a highlight of the Garden Route.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps

Time needed: 2 hours
Entry: Free
Best time: Afternoon
Area: Knysna

Two sandstone cliffs guarding the Knysna lagoon.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: George Rex Dr, Leisure Isle, Knysna

From Cape Town: About 6 hours' drive along the N2 Garden Route.
Viewpoints: The Eastern Head has a lookout reached by road.
Featherbed: A ferry crosses to the Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Western Head.

Open in Google Maps Get directions

The story of the Knysna Heads

The Knysna Heads are two towering sandstone cliffs at the narrow mouth of the Knysna Lagoon. The channel between them is considered one of the most dangerous harbour entrances in the world.

Knysna is surrounded by indigenous forest, once home to the region's legendary forest elephants, and its lagoon is a protected marine area.

Best time to visit

Best season

September to April.

Best time of day

Afternoon light on the cliffs.

Winter

Mild but wetter.

Tips before you go

Take a lagoon boat cruise.
Take the ferry to the Featherbed reserve.
Try a lagoon cruise at sunset.

Best hotels near the Knysna Heads

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Pezula Nature Retreat

Clifftop retreat above Knysna.

See prices

The Plettenberg

Hotel overlooking Plettenberg Bay.

See prices

All hotels near the Knysna Heads

What's around the Knysna Heads

Knysna WaterfrontRestaurants and boats.
Featherbed ReserveWestern Head.
Knysna ForestHiking trails.
Plettenberg Bay30 minutes east.

Questions travellers ask

What are the Knysna Heads?

Two cliffs at the lagoon mouth.

Is the channel dangerous?

Yes, for boats.

How far from Cape Town?

About 6 hours.