KNYSNA NEWS - First of all, it is a myth that Knysna has no beach on its doorstep. That one must travel to Plettenberg Bay, Buffalo Bay or Sedgefield for a thorough tanning, all sorts of surf-sports, or to not kick sand in a 98-pound weakling’s face.
Herewith a few of the arcane gems within Knysna and environs.
THE COMELY COVES OF CONEY GLEN
Tucked into a cliff-skirted cove on the south side of the Eastern Head, this is one of Knysna’s bestkept secrets. Beyond the parking lot to the left is a sprawling lawn fringed by milkwood and fynbos dotted with braai spots and picnic benches. To the right, two boardwalks lead down to a series of rockstrewn private coves interspersed with cool tidal pools to wallow in. How to get there: turn right into George Rex Drive off the main road and once you reach the Eastern Head, take the first road left over to the south side of the ridge which ends in a small parking lot.
BOLLARD BAY
What can one say about Bollard Bay? (There could be song in there somewhere). Not strictly speaking a beach as it’s on the estuary but hey, who’s fussing? Turn off George Rex Drive to the right over the low-slung bridge over the estuary and cruise through an ersatz corner of the Cotswolds (all clipped hedges, blooming manicured gardens and other obligatory country-lane trimmings) before you reach the western shore of Leisure Isle. The short stretch of sand looks out through the gap in The Heads onto the vast blue oceanic yonder, The Featherbed Reserve on the Western Head straight ahead and the estuary winding past the town towards the Outeniqua Mountains to the north.
HOBIE BEACH (PLETTENBERG BAY)
One of the finest little hideaways on the Garden Route is but a hop, skip and jump away from the maddening crowds of Central Beach. First stop on the short boardwalk-trek past foliage-fringed coves from Beacon Ilse to Lookout is Hobie Beach complete with nearby beach bar adorned with obligatory island-style decor. Display your chopsticksprowess before a dip in the pool deck and drink in one of the most spectacularly framed sea views in the entire Eden district with one of the tranquilising cocktails while the music takes you from the 1980s all the way up to blissful oblivion.
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