Mossel Bay is well-known for its balmy days, pristine beaches and historical attractions. In this article, we will walk you through the best blue flag beaches to visit in this gorgeous South African town, as well as our top picks of self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay.

Blue flags beaches and bustling nature

The Garden Route is home to 13 of the country's 51 Blue Flag beaches in 2023, including six in Plettenberg Bay, two in George, and five in Mossel Bay.

Along the Mossel Bay coastline, you’ll find no less than sixty kilometres of long, sandy beaches dotted amongst the ocean’s rocks, as well as beach-going weather throughout the year. Mossel Bay also offers plenty of beach activities like swimming, sailing, surfing, fishing, and walking.

And, as mentioned above, five of these beautiful sandy beaches have been awarded blue flag status. This year’s blue flag beaches in Mossel Bay are De Bakke, Hartenbos, Klein Brak, Santos and Glentana.

Only three beaches in South Africa have received the Blue Flag designation for 10 consecutive years, and one of them is De Bakke Beach.

Plan your beach holiday with our essential beach holiday packing list.

What is blue flag status?

Awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators worldwide, the Blue Flag is an iconic voluntary eco-label.

The Blue Flag is awarded only if certain environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria are met and maintained.

Across 18 coastal municipalities in South Africa, Blue Flag has proudly partnered with municipalities, marinas, and tourism boats since 2001.

De Bakke Beach

De Bakke Beach is relatively quiet and small, but that doesn’t take away from it being an ideal family vacation spot for children and adults to swim in the salty ocean water. 

It's a great place for surfing, canoeing, and snorkelling, thanks to the two reefs flanking the beach. Additionally, these reefs provide idyllic fishing spots, while the Indian Ocean creates a picturesque backdrop. 

Want to learn to surf? Follow these 7 tips.

Take a break from the water and walk along the grassy patches or sit and have a relaxing picnic. If you visit in the second half of the year, you’ll be entertained by frolicking whales skirting the shoreline. 

Hartenbos Beach

Just north of Mossel Bay, you’ll find Hartenbos Beach located in the holiday village of Hartenbos, in the Western Cape. The kilometres of soft white sand on this Blue Flag beach make it the perfect choice for lengthy walks, beach fun, surfing, and other water sports.

This sandy adventure features designated swimming spots, campsites, clean ablutions, ample parking, and wheelchair accessibility. Boasting entertainment facilities, the beachfront is a crowd-pleaser. From tennis courts to amusement centres, an indoor swimming pool to a supertube, Hartenbos’ beachfront has something for everyone. There is also a variety of restaurants and shops nearby.

You may also be interested in: The best hiking spots in Mossel Bay.

Klein Brak Beach

This beach, also known as Little Brak Beach, is a charming Blue Flag beach found around 6 km from Mossel Bay itself. 

The golden sand of Klen Brak Beach is perfect for long walks and romantic strolls, while the river can be taken advantage of for water sports like water skiing, canoeing, boating, and fishing. 

Whale watching is popular along the coastline during the winter months.

Santos Beach

In the heart of Mossel Bay, Santos Beach is wide and sandy with awe-inspiring ocean views and easy access to the town’s shops, restaurants and many historic sites. 

The sea temperature at this well-liked Blue Flag swimming beach is a comfortable 20 to 22 °C from November to March and 13 to 14 °C from May to September.

A number of other water sports, such as surfing, boating, diving, and fishing, are available at Santos Beach, which is also a popular launch location for paddle skis. Rock pools full of fascinating marine life and oyster beds can be found in the rocky outcrops that line the beach. 

Santos Beach also forms part of South Africa’s Whale Route, with southern right whales sheltering in the bay between May and October. The whales are often clearly visible from the beach, along with dolphins and even seals, between May and October. 

Glentana Beach

In the whale-watching season, Glentana Beach along with many other towns and beaches along the magnificent Garden Route will be a great place to see whales and dolphins just off the coast.

This beach offers pristine beach sand and appears to be untouched. Down a flight of wooden stairs, you can access the beach, or you can sit on one of the benches found on the grassy patch above the beach and take in the view.

In the mood to do something extreme? Read all about shark cage diving in Mossel Bay for an unforgettable thrill.

Self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay: Where to stay

For sportspersons, water sports enthusiasts, and travellers, Mossel Bay is a paradise of entertainment and enjoyment.  Find a relaxing place to stay in this holiday hub. Browse our self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay.

We highly recommend self-catering accommodation. Read our 5 reasons why you should book a self-catering stay. 

The Elgin House

• Four guests can stay in this lovely self-catering apartment, which is the ideal accommodation in Mossel Bay. 
• Our Elgin House has a beautiful open-plan kitchen with gentle natural light filtering through the balcony area. 

• The Elgin apartment is close to a wide range of Garden Route attractions and activities, as well as well-known restaurants and shops.
• Popular eateries, shops, and a plethora of Garden Route attractions and activities are all within easy reach of our Elgin apartment. 

Check availability and bookings for the Elgin House self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay.

Vista Bonita

• After a long day at sea, it's lovely to return to this self-catering apartment. 
• A luxurious indoor lounge, an outdoor lounge set on a balcony with a view, and a fully functional kitchen are all available to four guests!
• A late-opening convenience store, a bookshop, a hair salon, a laundromat, a cafe, and a few curio shops can be found at the bottom of the block.

• The George Airport is 20 minutes away from Vista Bonita, and a shuttle service runs directly from the airport if you don't have a car. 
• Vista Bonita is only 10 minutes from the well-known Diaz Beach.
• A 15-metre walk will bring you to the door of Vista Bonita's indoor heated Olympic-sized pool.
• In addition to a coffee shop nearby and a restaurant next to the super tube, there is a cocktail bar on the beach directly in front of the building.

Check availability and bookings for the Vista Bonita self-catering accommodation in Mossel Bay.