A trip to the Knysna Heads is imperative for first time visitors to the Knysna area. The Heads have to be one of the most remarkable geological features along the entire coastline of Southern Africa. This is where the pair of colossal and dramatic sandstone sea cliffs guard the entrance to the lagoon from the surging ocean. The Eastern and Western Heads flank a deep and potentially perilous channel through which the sea gushes in to fill the vast and astoundingly exquisite lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River.
The eastern monolith of the Knysna Heads is easily accessible by car and provides a gateway to scenic rock pools and beaches. It is home to numerous locally owned houses as well as a renowned restaurant. A lookout has been erected, commanding magnificent views of the lagoon, Knysna itself, as well as Leisure Isle, a beautiful atoll ringed by a chain of hills and bounded on all sides by the waters of the surging Knysnaestuary.
The contrasting Western Head is mainly a privately owned nature reserve accessible only by ferry. The Featherbed Nature Reserve is a pristine piece of paradise. From guided walks through Milkwood Forests into ancient Khoi sea caves to strolls back along scenic coastal paths fringed with indigenous flora and fauna, the Western Head is alive with natural unsurpassed beauty.
The reserve is home to a breeding programme of the rare Blue Duiker, one of the smallest antelope species in the world. It is also home to the lovely Knysna Loerie and the endangered Knysna Sea Horse, so visitors to this slice of heaven have the extraordinary opportunity to view these native creatures.
The Knysna Heads, while overwhelming in natural beauty, are notorious for the loss of boats and their passengers passing through the precarious and erratic waters. They do however make a magnificent setting for scuba diving. Day and night dives are on offer at the wreckage of the Paquit, whose remains are clearly visible despite spending over a century at the bottom of the ocean. An onboard excursion is the ultimate experience in discovering the Knysna Heads. Enjoy their grand beauty while sipping champagne and eating oysters aboard a catamaran, it is the perfect way to discover nature's opulent offering.
Martin Wynn
