Thesen Island
A lagoon island community converted from an old timber mill, with colorful wooden houses along canals, restaurants and oyster bars, Knysna's refined leisure district.
Thesen Island lies in the lagoon south of Knysna town and is connected to it by a causeway. It was once the timber processing mill of the Thesen family. Around 2000, it was converted into a residential area with canals and a marina, and colorful Victorian-style wooden houses line the waterways. The island has restaurants, bars, boutiques and a tasting house of an oyster farming company, where visitors can eat fresh Knysna oysters while looking out over the lagoon. There is also a boat landing. The island can be explored on foot or by bike, and entry is free.
Opening hours
Open all day (shops about 9:00–21:00)
Nearby sights
- Knysna Waterfront (Waterfront Quays)
- Leisure Isle
- Knysna Lagoon & The Heads
- Holy Trinity Church, Belvidere
- Brenton-on-Sea
- Noetzie Beach & Castles
- Buffels Bay (Buffelsbaai)
- Diepwalle, Knysna Forest