Situated in the heart of Mossel Bay, Santos Beach is a tropical paradise, offering surreal natural beauty and a tranquil ambience. It is a Blue Flag beach which reflects on its high safety standards, water quality and public environmental education. The beach offers golden sand, transparent blue water and lush greenery, making it an ideal vacation spot.
Due to its shallow and calm shores, Santos Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim. The beach also offers a wide variety of adventure activities such as paddle boarding, scuba diving, surfing, angling and snorkelling. These activities not only offer you the ultimate adrenaline boost but also let you closely witness the fascinating marine life. For a soothing experience, you can enjoy activities like boating, kayaking and sunbathing at the beach.
A highlight of Santos Beach is its dolphin and whale watching tours. It is a boat tour which takes you out in the sea to spot beautiful aquatic creatures like dolphins, whales and seals.
Highlights
• Admire the golden sandy shores, turquoise blue water and lush greenery of the beautiful Santos Beach.
• Dive into the crystal clear waters of the beach to witness the stunning coral reefs and vibrant underwater world.
• Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shore while admiring a gorgeous sunset and a sky full of different hues.
• Relish in delectable local cuisine while soaking in mesmerising views of the ocean at a beach-facing restaurant.
• Take a boat tour out in the open sea to closely witness some of the most magnificent marine creatures like dolphins, whales and seals.
How To Reach
- By Road: Santos Beach is located at a distance of around 4 km from the city centre of Mossel Bay. You can easily reach the beach in approximately 5 minutes via the Louis Fourie Road. You can take a local taxi which is easily available from any corner of the city to reach Santos Beach. For a more budget-friendly option, you can rent a bike for a day and explore the attractions at your own pace.
Best Time To Visit
Santos Beach is a popular tourist attraction in Mossel Bay and can be visited throughout the year.
- Best Season: Plan your visit to the beach in the spring season, starting from June to November to experience mild temperatures as well as to enjoy whale-watching tours.
- Best Day of the Week: You can visit the beach on the weekdays instead of the weekends to avoid rush and peacefully explore the place.
- Best Time of the Day: You can plan your visit to the beach during the late afternoon so that you can witness the beautiful sunset from the beach.
Other Essential Information
Visitor Tips:
- Bring a pair of swimsuits so that you can enjoy the water sports at the beach.
- Remember to apply sunscreen, carry a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the intense sun.
- Obtain permits from the authorities if you wish to enjoy fishing at the beach.
- Rent your equipment for paddleboarding, snorkelling and surfing from a nearby local vendor.
- Bring binocular to spot dolphins and whales if you do not wish to go on boat tours.
- Book your whale watching or dolphin watching tours in advance to ensure availability.
- Maintain the serenity of the beach and dispose of trash in the recycle bins.
- It is advisable to book your accommodations in advance, especially during peak season to ensure availability.
Enjoy water sports
Santos Beach is a hotspot for adventurous water sports in Mossel Bay. If you wish to start your day with some soothing activities, you can try paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing and boating. To make your trip to Santos Beach more exciting, you can enjoy activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet skiing and surfing. Additionally, you can indulge in thrilling water adventures like snorkelling or scuba diving which lets you explore what’s under the sea and closely witness the vibrant marine world.
Dine in with a view
Santos Beach is a haven for all the foodies, offering the best local to international dishes in the town. If you are looking for the best beach-facing restaurants, you can try The Pavillion or Blue Oysters which offers panoramic views of the ocean. For a more relaxed and cosy vibe, you can visit popular cafes like the Santos Express Train or The Coffee Club. For seafood delights, you can visit Sea Gypsy Cafe or The Kingfisher, both of which have a diverse seafood menu. Some other popular eateries that you can try include Route 57, Cafe Gannet, Kaai 4 Braai and Viking Seafood.
Go on a dolphin-watching tour
Santos Beach serves as the prime location for spotting dolphins and whales in Mossel Bay. Several organised tours take you to the right spot in the sea from where you can closely witness these magnificent marine creatures. Whale watching season is limited from June to November whereas dolphin watching season runs year round. There are three types of tours, ranging from boat to kayak and helicopter tours. During these tours, you will also get to witness and learn about several other marine species.
