Santos Beach is where Mossel Bay swims. It sits right next to the harbour, and from Market Street you walk down past the museum and stand in the sand after a kilometre. The beach faces north, into the bay, which is why the water here is usually flat, sheltered from the southwester and from the swell that wraps around the Point. Behind it there is lawn with trees, a pavilion and room for families who arrive with a lot of luggage. Now and then a boat anchors offshore: the seal island trips stop for a quarter of an hour in front of Santos on the way back.
- water in January and February, monthly mean
- 21 degrees
- water in July
- 16 degrees
- the way it faces, which is why the sea stays calm
- North
- from the Dias Museum, on foot
- 1 km
Water temperature runs around 21 degrees in January and February and just under 16 in July, both as monthly means. So swimming works from December to March without your teeth chattering. It works in the other months too, just in shorter bursts. The pavilion on the beach is the meeting point, behind it the lawn with trees where half of South Africa spreads out over the Christmas holidays. Whether lifeguards are on duty is posted on the boards at the beach; outside the holidays do not count on it.
- Time needed
- half a day
- Cost
- free
- When
- December to March for swimming, otherwise for walking
- From the Dias Museum
- 1.1 km
Our tipCome in the morning while the wind is still asleep. The bay is glassy then and the sand is empty. It usually picks up around midday.
Santos Beach: frequently asked questions
Is Santos Beach in Mossel Bay good for swimming with children?
Yes, better than most beaches on the Garden Route. Santos Beach faces north into the bay, the sea is usually flat, and behind the sand there is lawn, trees and a pavilion. Whether lifeguards are on duty is posted on the boards at the beach; outside the holidays do not count on it.
How warm is the water at Santos Beach?
Around 21 degrees in January and February, just under 16 in July, both as monthly means. The swimming season in Mossel Bay runs from December to March; in winter the swim stays short.
How do you get from the town centre to Santos Beach?
On foot: a good kilometre along the harbour from the Dias Museum on Market Street, a quarter of an hour. By car you park behind the beach. The boats coming back from the seal island often anchor off Santos Beach, and then you wave at them.