Thesen Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Popular places to visit

Sunset at the waterfront in Knysna. The waterfront area is one of the best places to eat in Knysna, and our two favorite restaurants are Caffe Mario (Italian) and 34 South

Knysna Waterfront

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Knysna Waterfront during your trip to Knysna. You can seek out the golf courses while in the area.

Knysna Waterfront
Knysna showing mountains, landscape views and general coastal views

Knysna Lagoon

Sheltered from the rough sea swells by two rugged headlands, this brilliantly blue lagoon is a boating and watersports hotspot.

Knysna Lagoon
Knysna Quays

Knysna Quays

Shop for hours in sleek malls, dine with spectacular views and take a boat charter out onto a lagoon from one of the most scenic harbors on the Garden Route.

Knysna Quays
Knysna featuring landscape views, mist or fog and rugged coastline

Eastern Head View Point

Enjoy spectacular views over the brilliantly blue Knysna Lagoon and the sheltering sandstone bluffs, and watch waves crash into the rocks at this cliff-top lookout.

Eastern Head View Point
Knysna

Buffalo Bay Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Buffalo Bay Beach during your trip to Knysna? You can seek out the golf courses while in the area.

Buffalo Bay Beach
Great 9km beach walk to buffalo bay and back

Brenton Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Brenton Beach during your travels in Knysna? You can seek out the golf courses while in the area.

Brenton Beach

Activities

Picture 7 for Activity Knysna: 75-Minute Lagoon Boat Cruise

Knysna: 75-Minute Lagoon Boat Cruise

AU$46
per adult
Knysna: 75-Minute Lagoon Boat Cruise
Knysna: Downhill Forest Scootour Adventure

Knysna: Downhill Forest Scootour Adventure

AU$55
per adult
Knysna: Downhill Forest Scootour Adventure
Knysna: Scenic Cruise Aboard a Luxury Lounge Cruiser

Knysna: Scenic Cruise Aboard a Luxury Lounge Cruiser

AU$41
per adult
Knysna: Scenic Cruise Aboard a Luxury Lounge Cruiser
Knysna Ziplines Tour

Knysna Ziplines Tour

AU$78
per adult
Knysna Ziplines Tour
Knysna: Sightseeing Cruise on Coquette

Knysna: Sightseeing Cruise on Coquette

AU$46
per adult
Knysna: Sightseeing Cruise on Coquette
Knysna Boat Cruise aboard Coquette

Knysna Boat Cruise aboard Coquette

AU$46
per adult
Knysna Boat Cruise aboard Coquette
See all activities in Knysna

Our pick of the best Thesen Island Hotel Deals

Turbine Hotel and Spa

Turbine Hotel and Spa

5 out of 5
TH 36 Sawtooth Lane Knysna Western Cape
The price is AU$419 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
AU$419
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Knysna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Knysna Waterfront and Knysna Quays are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (181 reviews)
Excellent stay ! Highly recommend!

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2025

Turbine Hotel and Spa
The Lofts Boutique Hotel

The Lofts Boutique Hotel

4 out of 5
The Boatshed, Long Street Knysna Western Cape
The price is AU$418 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
AU$418
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Knysna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Knysna Waterfront and Knysna Quays are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (84 reviews)
Great location, lovely area and great service.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

The Lofts Boutique Hotel
Knysna Log-Inn Hotel

Knysna Log-Inn Hotel

3 out of 5
16 Gray Street Knysna Western Cape
The price is AU$160 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
AU$160
10 Feb - 11 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Knysna. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Knysna Quays and Knysna Waterfront ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (27 reviews)
Very nice

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

Knysna Log-Inn Hotel
Bayview Hotel

Bayview Hotel

4 out of 5
Corner Main & Gibb Street Plettenberg Bay Western Cape
The price is AU$292 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
AU$292
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Van Plettenberg Beacon and Old Timber ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (90 reviews)
Fabulous hotel, super helpful staff.

Reviewed on 7 Dec 2025

Bayview Hotel
Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Knysna Hollow Country Estate

4 out of 5
5 Welbedacht Lane Knysna Western Cape
The price is AU$291 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
AU$291
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Knysna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Friday Market and Drupkelders Hiking Trail are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (103 reviews)
Great stay! Go to

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Sky Villa Boutique Hotel

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel

5 out of 5
27 Baron's View Estate Plettenberg Bay Western Cape
The price is AU$272 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
AU$272
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Old Timber Shed and Van Plettenberg ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
All the staff were so friendly. The Presidential sweet was sublime, and our stay was perfect.

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel
See all 467 properties in Thesen Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Thesen Island

Knysna Quays

Waterfront

Unique features of Waterfront include the restaurants and shopping. Make a stop by Knysna Quays or Knysna Waterfront while you're exploring the area.

Waterfront
Knysna Quays

Knysna Central

While visiting Knysna Central, you might make a stop by sights like Knysna Quays and Knysna Waterfront.

Knysna Central
Beautiful view from a beautiful guest house

Paradise

5/5(1 area review)

Paradise is noteworthy for its gardens, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Knysna Lagoon and Garden Route National Park.

Paradise
Default Image

Rexford

While Rexford isn't home to many top sights, Knysna Golf Club and Leisure Isle are some notable places to visit nearby.

Rexford
Default Image

Belvidere

Travellers like the restaurants in Belvidere, and Knysna Lagoon is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Belvidere

Thesen Island Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: