We’re in the lovely lagoon of Knysna, on the southern coast of South Africa. It’s a very calm spot to wait for the weather window for Cape Town, and boats able to time their entry into the narrow entrance (slack tide and a favourable lack of southerly swell), and who draw less than maybe 7 feet, will find this a perfect place.

A few things to note:

– there is a webcam on the entrance, allowing remote viewing of the sea/swell conditions. Not an entrance to try if the swells are breaking, or if the tide is ebbing against a significant swell.

– Bernie is the port captain – call him at 044-382-0955 for details on mooring etc.

– Upon entry, the floating red/white markers signify the CENTER of the wending channel, stay just to the leeward of them, and you should be fine.

– An up-to-date chart is essential, but I’m told the bottom is nearly all sand …

The town and waterfront are lovely – very chic – and the Knysna Yacht Club is very welcoming.

The tide is about 2 meters, but the marina moorings float; there’s also usually room at the wall, but you’d have to deal with the rise/fall of the tide. Very protected in terms of swell (non-existent) … much much calmer than Port Elizabeth, which was virtually untenable for some fellow cruisers, due to the surge inside the harbour.

Knysna may not be the easiest place to get into, but it’s really nice once you do… loads of birds, lovely kayaking, etc.

Jon and Jennifer Glaudemans

s/v ile de Grace