Few things suit the Garden Route’s easy pace better than a proper picnic, and the coastline between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay offers plenty of spots with the kind of views that make even a simple sandwich feel like an occasion.
Mossel Bay’s Point Area
The rocky point in Mossel Bay, close to the town’s historical sites, offers grassy areas and benches with views out over the bay, making it an easy, accessible spot for a picnic without much walking required. It’s particularly pleasant in the late afternoon as the light softens over the water.
Herolds Bay and Victoria Bay
Both small coastal settlements between Mossel Bay and George offer quieter, less crowded picnic spots than the bigger towns. Victoria Bay, in particular, has a small grassy area right above the beach, with views of surfers below and the mountains rising behind, making it a favourite for a relaxed lunch stop on a coastal drive.
Wilderness Beach and Lagoon
Wilderness offers two very different picnic settings within a short walk of each other: the open beach for sea views and sound of the surf, or the sheltered lagoon side for calmer, more sheltered picnicking, particularly good on a windy day when the beach can be tough to enjoy.
Knysna’s Thesen Islands and Waterfront
For something a little more built up, the waterfront areas around Thesen Islands in Knysna offer picnic-friendly green spaces with lagoon views, close enough to town that you can easily pick up fresh bread, cheese, and drinks beforehand.
Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
If you don’t mind combining your picnic with a short hike, several spots along the Robberg trails offer dramatic ocean views, perfect for a packed lunch partway through your walk. Just be mindful of the reserve’s operating hours and pack out everything you bring in.
Tips for a Good Garden Route Picnic
- Check the wind before you settle on a spot. Coastal picnic spots can turn blustery quickly, especially in the afternoon.
- Stock up at a local farm stall or deli rather than a big supermarket for a more memorable spread.
- Always pack out your rubbish, particularly in nature reserves and protected coastal areas.
What to Pack
A good Garden Route picnic doesn’t need to be complicated. A loaf of fresh bread, some local cheese, cured meats or biltong, a punnet of strawberries if they’re in season, and a bottle of local wine or a few craft beers will cover most tastes. A blanket or a couple of low folding chairs make a real difference on grassy or rocky spots, and a cooler bag is essential if you’re travelling any distance between your shopping stop and your chosen picnic location.
Timing Your Picnic Around the Weather
The Garden Route’s weather can shift quickly, particularly along exposed coastal points, so it’s worth checking the forecast and choosing your spot accordingly. On windier days, more sheltered options like the Wilderness lagoon side or a shaded spot near Thesen Islands tend to be more comfortable than fully exposed beach or cliff-top locations. On calm, clear days, though, those same exposed spots often offer the very best views, so it’s worth being flexible about where you end up settling.
Combining a Picnic with a Short Walk
Many of the best picnic spots along this coastline sit at the end of a short walk rather than right next to a parking area, and treating your picnic as the reward at the end of a gentle stroll adds a satisfying rhythm to the outing. A short walk along the Robberg trails or through the dunes near Wilderness before settling down to eat also means you’ve earned the view a little, which somehow always makes the food taste better.
A picnic is one of the simplest ways to slow down and actually take in the Garden Route’s scenery, rather than just driving past it.
