The South African cruise port of Mossel Bay is to receive a new mixed-use waterfront and a cruise terminal for passengers to disembark in the town, according to plans outlined by The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

The port is currently a popular destination for cruise ships cruising from Cape Town, with 20 cruise itineraries featuring it as a port of call for 2019, but it lacks a proper dock for cruise ships, forcing most to anchor offshore.

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“We are pleased to be moving forward with the Mossel Bay Waterfront to make the Port of Mossel Bay an even bigger attraction on this beautiful coastline, with a mixed-use waterfront that could include retail, commercial and industrial facilities,” said Shulami Qalinge, CEO of TNPA.

The developments are intended to increase the economic growth of South Africa’s smallest commercial port and the Garden Route region along with increasing job opportunities for the local community.

“A bit further down the track, we have in our sights a facility that will enable cruise passengers to disembark directly onto the quayside, instead of arriving by ferry,” Qalinge added, referring to the tender boats that cruise ships use to ferry passengers between the ship and shore.

The announcements come amid a flurry of activity in plans to upgrade the cruise infrastructure in Durban and Cape Town to make South Africa’s two main cruise ports better-able to handle the growing size of cruise vessels.

Mossel Bay

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“Such a development would help to ensure the port provides a world-class experience for the tourists who arrive by cruise ship in the Garden Route,” Qalinge said.

While the plans for a cruise terminal have yet to be finalised, the plans for the waterfront transformation have gotten the go-ahead and will encourage both international and local tourists to visit the quaint coastal town of Mossel Bay.

Cruise tourists in Mossel Bay can enjoy walks along the beautiful beaches, horseback riding or whale and dolphin watching.

Like all other South African cruise ports, there are also game safaris on offer, where big game can be spotted from an open-top 4×4. A particularly popular shore excursion offered in Mossel Bay is a boat trip to Seal Island, populated by over 2,500 Cape fur seals and surrounded by Great White sharks.