Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is a coastal town in Western Cape province, South Africa, stretching along the Indian Ocean shore. It contains a commercial harbor, multiple beaches and a peninsula topped by the Cape Saint Blaize lighthouse.

Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias landed here in 1488 as the first European, marking a turning point in South African maritime history. The spot later developed into a key stopover for ships sailing the route to India.

The Díaz Museum Complex displays maritime finds, regional shells and a full-scale replica that tells the seafaring story of this coastline. The old milkwood served sailors for centuries as a letterbox where they left messages in shoes nailed to its trunk.

The town serves as a regional hub for agriculture, tourism and fishing with direct access to the Garden Route coastal road. Most beaches lie within walking distance from the harbor, and the lighthouse on the peninsula provides orientation along the entire bay.

The old milkwood dates back around 1500 and was used by sailors for centuries as a maritime postal system. They left letters in shoes or boots at the tree, hoping passing ships would collect them.

Location: Mossel Bay Local Municipality

Inception: 1848

Elevation above the sea: 43 m

Website: http://mosselbaymun.co.za

GPS coordinates: -34.18333,22.13333

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:53