If you’re driving the Garden Route, Knysna Heads is one of those places where you really should stop the car and have a look. The Heads are the dramatic sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance between the Knysna Lagoon and the Indian Ocean, and the views from the top are spectacular.
Getting there
Knysna Heads is just a short drive from the centre of Knysna. From town, follow the signs for Knysna Heads and cross the bridge over the lagoon before continuing along the road towards the Eastern Head. It’s an easy drive and you don’t need to spend half a day getting there — which makes it a particularly good stop on a Garden Route road trip.
The main viewpoint is at the Eastern Head, where you can park up and walk over to the lookout. From here you get an impressive view across the narrow channel, with the Indian Ocean beyond it and the sheltered Knysna Lagoon behind you.
And this isn’t just a pretty view. The Heads have a serious maritime history. The entrance to the lagoon is narrow, rocky and affected by strong currents and shifting sand, making it notoriously difficult for ships to navigate. There have been numerous wrecks over the years.
What to see
The obvious attraction is the view — and it really is worth taking your time rather than jumping out, taking a photograph and getting back in the car.
Look across towards the Western Head, where the Featherbed Nature Reserve occupies much of the headland. Watch the boats passing through the channel and, if the weather is good, look out towards the open ocean.
There are also walking trails, restaurants and viewpoints around the Heads, so you can easily turn a quick stop into a longer visit.
For me, though, the best thing about Knysna Heads is the sheer contrast: calm lagoon on one side, crashing Indian Ocean on the other, with these enormous cliffs sitting between the two.
If you’re travelling the Garden Route with Convoy Tours, this is exactly the sort of stop that makes the journey as memorable as the destination.
Why not join us?
