Property Details

*BAYHOUSE IS A SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY HOME AND IS PRICED PER PERSON (min 4 and max 10 guests). THE GUESTS WILL HAVE USE OF THE ENTIRE HOUSE TO ENSURE COMFORT AND PRIVACY AT ALL TIMES.*

Situated on a picturesque lagoon beach on Leisure Island in Knysna, Bayhouse is ideal for a family beach holiday. This six-bedroom family holiday home has nearly 50m of beach frontage and arguably one of the best views of the famous Knysna Heads.With accommodation for up to 10 people (minimum of 4), this large, up market, 4 Star, self catering home is superbly located and well-equipped to cater for families with children of all ages. The owners have spared no expense in making this home comfortable for their guests and creating a real home-away-from-home. Just pack your bags and we’ll provide the rest!

Leisure Island is the most sought-after destination for holidaymakers in South Africa’s Favourite Town. A small island (just 4km in circumference) in the lagoon, it is linked to the mainland by a causeway and is secure, private and tranquil with many delightful beaches and panoramic views of Knysna, the famous Knysna Heads and Featherbed Nature Reserve across the estuary.

Bollard Bay is the main beach on the island and offers plenty to do for young and old. When the tide is high you can swim, fish, canoe or sail. At low tide, pump for prawns to use as bait or walk across the sand as far as The Heads.

The island becomes a hub of activity during school holidays and older children will revel in the vibrant social scene. The streets are quiet and safe for walking, jogging, skateboarding and cycling. And the buzzing cosmopolitan town of Knysna is just 10 minutes away.

THE HOUSE
Bayhouse is an airy, spacious two-storey home with stunning views of the beach and lagoon, every modern amenity and numerous comfortable indoor and outdoor living areas. There are six bedrooms, each of which can sleep two people, and four bathrooms in total. In addition, babies and infants are catered for with a baby bath, camp cot, high chair and stroller.

BEDROOMS
All six bedrooms are bright, airy and simply furnished in keeping with a beach-house theme. Beds are beautifully dressed with crisp white 100% cotton percale linen, non-allergic pillows and electric blankets. Extra blankets are supplied as well as thick, luxurious white bath sheets, hand towels and facecloths.

Downstairs:
Two-bedroom family suite:
This suite is ideal for two couples or a family of four. It consists of a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with bath, a queen-size bed and double doors opening onto a private courtyard, a twin bedroom with separate entrance and adjacent bathroom with shower and a sunny, north-facing private lounge

Upstairs:
Main bedroom en-suite:
The main bedroom upstairs is extremely spacious. The king-size bed faces large windows through which there are exquisite panoramic views of the Knysna Lagoon & Heads. The room is air-conditioned and the en-suite bathroom has a bath and shower

Children’s bedroom:
This spacious, air-conditioned prettily decorated room off the family lounge is ideal for children and has lagoon views, a queen-size bed and a chest of drawers stocked with toys and books.

Loft suite:
The loft suite sleeps four people and is suitable for a couple with two children, or four teenagers/children. It can be accessed from inside the house through the upstairs living room, but also has its own separate entrance from the garden.

The mezzanine level has a double bed and is air-conditioned, while the lower level has a second bedroom with two single beds and an adjoining bathroom with a shower.

LIVING AREAS
The house has three lounges, giving guests plenty of space, even on rainy days! All the tiled living areas have under floor heating.

Downstairs, the main lounge has a fireplace and comfortable seating for six people. It is open-plan with the eight-seater dining room and six-seater bar/breakfast counter area.

A large drinks cabinet stocked with glasses, a TV, DStv Dual View decoder (Premium menu) and a DVD player add to the home comforts. An excellent selection of books, games and puzzles are provided for guests.

The lounge opens onto an entertainment patio with a plunge pool, a Weber Gas Grill, a conventional wood-burning braai (barbeque), a gas heater and wooden table with benches and umbrella.

The adjacent conservatory is protected from the elements and can be fully enclosed with a pull-down awning. This glass structure has seating for six people and is just meters from the beach.

Off the living area, a fully equipped kitchen can cater for 10 people and is fitted with a double door fridge/freezer, an electric stove with oven and a microwave. The scullery has a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Basic cleaning supplies including washing powder, dishwashing liquid and dishwasher detergent are provided as well as tea, coffee, sugar, jam and bread.

Upstairs, the lagoon-facing lounge is a sizeable space which was once the studio of well-known South African artist Dale Elliot, a previous owner of the house.

The upstairs family lounge has a TV with DStv Dual View decoder (Premium menu) and a DVD player, and is stocked with games and puzzles.

GARAGE
Storage is important when you’re on holiday! Our double garage provides plenty of space for two cars, a trailer and all your beach toys. There is extra off-street parking for two cars.

The garage also stores the following items which we provide for your comfort and enjoyment:
Emergency generator
Beach chairs & umbrellas
Beach toys - buckets, spades etc
Two adult bicycles

Value-Added Services:
• Brochures / leaflets of various area activities
• Catering for large groups on request
• Complimentary housekeeping once a week to change bed-linen, vacuum and polish. Further services available at a nominal fee
• Complimentary tea & coffee on arrival
• Dinner prepared & ready for late arrivals, on request at a nominal fee
• Grocery shopping on request before arrival
• List of recommended restaurants in the area & copies of their menus
• Use of private jetty at Leisure Isle Boat Club on request, at a nominal fee

Local Area Details

"Colourful, gay and charming ... Knysna is stunning!"
Knysna nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the ‘Garden Route’ of South Africa. It is surrounded by a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches, making it a real natural wonderland.
Knysna is a vibrant town, buzzing with creativity and energy, and the pulse of good music. It's a place where the you can enjoy the mellow atmosphere of street cafes, watching the world go by. The main street is very leafy with trees along the pavements and it has a wonderful holiday atmosphere with sun umbrellas everywhere.

Additional Information

About Golfing

Knysna is one of South Africa’s top golfing destinations and boasts some world class golf courses. Pezula Championship Golf Course adjacent to Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is a sweeping spectacle of fairways and greens rolling through the pristine Southern Cape landscape. Keeping your head down at Simola Golf Estate can be a challenge; simply because the views around the course are awe-inspiring, and with this, it is clear to see why Simola takes its place as one of South Africa's premier golfing destinations. The Knysna Golf course might not have the views of its luxurious neighbours, but is a testing challenge among water hazards and tree-lined fairways, close to the Knysna estuary. For a awesome Masie Golf experience rush off to Blackwaters River Lodge.

About Children Activities

Knysna is perfect for the whole family - here are some tried and tested "kid pleasers": Monkeyland and the Birds of Eden. A living forest experience that will stay with you forever. Walk, ride & experience elephants as never before at the Elephant Sanctuary & Knysna Elephant Park. This is an absolute "must do" when in Knysna. Mashie Golf. Introduce your youngsters to golf on this fun golf course. Leisure Isle, Bollard Bay for taking to the water. Here the kids can enjoy playing in the water without the danger of the strong currents. Adventure Land, water slides, quad bikes and a play park - where the fun & adventure (for all ages) never stops! Treetop Canopy Tours. Swing through the trees like Tarzan & Jane while getting a bird's eye view of streams, waterfalls and indigenous forests. (Age restriction, 7 - 70 years welcome!). Featherbed Eco Experience. Lagoon cruise and spectacular walk, ideal for the kids to utilize their abundant energy levels. Go and find the Fairies in the enchanted Knysna Forests. They say only those that believe can see them! Fly a kite on Bollard Bay, Leisure Isle. Our beaches have the perfect breeze. Learn to Surf at the International Surf School. Brilliant day activity. Kids, take your parents to the Friday Market. Absolute family fun! Check out the Millwood Goldmine Tours with scones for Mom & Dad. Experience a piece of history the fun way. ECO-Ed offers a Kids` Forest Adventure Obstacle Course at the old Coach House near the Garden of Eden. (by prior arrangement only). Visit the Eagle Encounters bird of pray sanctuary for an experience both fun and educational. AND of course Spur is always a family favourite!

About History

Knysna is steeped in its colourful past. Woodcutters, golddiggers, merchants and sailors, colonial landlords, craftsmen, ordinary folk - all have left their mark and contributed to its history. Manyhistorical buildings and sites offer a glimpse of bygone times. Some are within the town, like Millwood House and the Old Gaol; others, like the Holy Trinity Church, Belvidere, or the Millwood gold mining village, oblige the visitor to take a short, scenic drive to enjoy their attractions.

About Weather/Climate/Temperature

PERFECT WEATHER all year round. Spring is soft and silky. Autumn tingles on the skin like champagne. Winter is crisp as an apple. And our African summer bronzes the soul with its pure sunlight. Whatever the season, Knysna stays green. Its warm, temperate climate makes it the perfect all-year-round destination. The mild winters on the Garden Route ensure sunny and beautiful wind-still days and are often referred to as the “secret season”.

About Beaches

Swimming, surfing, canoeing, yachting, jet-skiing, boating, ferry rides, fishing, walking, guided beach explorations under the stars - Knysna offers a wide variety of water excursions - something for everyone no matter your age or preference. With more than eight beaches to choose from and as many lakes, you can do a different water activity every day of your stay. Even if it is just sipping your favourite drink watching the sun set at a quayside café! Leisure Isle Beach, Bollard Bay is a model family beach with safe swimming in shallow waters. The Knysna Heads is ideal for snorkeling, buts it's very dangerous to swim out into the channel between the Heads because of tidal currents. Toilets, showers and restuarants are available. Coney Glen is a popular fishing and picnic spot on the Eastern Head. There BBQ facilities near the parking area. Noetzie is a stunning secluded beach, but you have to negotiate roughly 100 srairs to get to the surf (and back!). Swimming here is extremely dangerous.

About Local Restaurants

Knysna is a coastal town and the flavours of the ocean influence much of its cuisine. Expect the freshest seafood - from the catch-of-the-day to coastal and cultured Knysna oysters. From world class cuisine to convenient street food, Knysna's restaurants promote the real wonder of food. Knysna have more than 80 restaurants to choose from and include themes that will excite your palate & tickle the taste buds. Choose between Zen Baroque, piquant, eclectic, cosmopolitan and many more! Be prepared though - best to pack a well sized appetite as well!

About Family Activities

ADVENTURE AND SPORT~ Come and play in our forests and dive into outdoor adventures like horse riding, hiking, yachting, fishing and canoeing. For a pure adrenalin rush get into the more extreme sports of abseiling, paragliding, scuba diving or water skiing and some of the best mountain bike routes in the country. Knysna has something for everyone - from the very young to the well matured and for every size, shape and temperament.

About Shopping

Knysna is a shopper’s paradise, with centralised shopping areas where you can buy everything from designer teddy bears to the world's finest champagne - or even a holiday home! With spectacular names like Jenna Babe, Papagayo, Indawo, Caramel, African Attitude and Forest Bears who can resist retail therapy? 6 First class markets celebrate a healthy lifestyle and organic farming. Anyone looking to support farming & low food-mile shopping while simultaneously taking in the vibey, social, town-meets-country atmosphere is promised a stunning variety of breakfasts, confectionery, fruit, meat & veg, take-home meals, flowers, indigenous plants & more!

About General Entertainment

MECCA FOR THE GOURMAND - whether it’s shopping, food or culture. In and around Knysna one will find a selection of fine restaurants, activities, cultural and heritage experiences, adventure and natural encounters to match your mood, age, physique and budget. Do not miss out on Knysna’s famous oysters or beer from local micro brewery, Mitchell’s. Shopping include a quaint Waterfront shopping complex and authentic African traders.

About Diving

The Paquita Wreck: The location is in the Heads, on the eastern side, with the access share entry. You must only dive 30min before the high tide. Water is generally cleaner of this time. The average depth is bow in 4m and maximum is 20m. The Paquita was a majestic German iron barge weighing 484 tons which sank at The Heads on the 19th October 1903. It is remarkably well preserved for a wreck of this vintage. The surrounding reefs are covered in colorful sponges and coral. Basket stars, sea-whips and fans are abundant in this area. Many small fish hover all around the reef. Also common to this area are shy sharks and octopus.

About Scenery/Beauty Spots

A NATURAL PARADISE ~ In Knysna, nature quite literally knocks on your front door. The town nestles on the shores of an estuary fed by rivers originating in the Outeniqua Mountains and it is surrounded by lush indigenous forests. This exceptional nature’s playground of beaches, lakes, mountains, forests and rivers offers an unforgettable holiday. Whether you’re an adventurous type or simply like it lolling around in the sun, Knysna has it all.

About Sailing

Sailing is another popular activity - from sailboards to large ocean going yachts. Knysna has one of the oldest Yacht Clubs in South Africa. In the late afternoons a score of kayaks paddle up the lagoon as the local teams train for competitions. And for the more adventurous there is the challenge of going through the Heads into the open sea in a sea kayak. Visitors can hire boats and canoes from various boating companies. There are a number of ferries taking visitors around the lagoon. Various charter options are available for deep sea fishing or whale and dolphin watching. The best time for watching whales is from August to October.

About Fishing

Knysna provides a wealth of opportunities for the keen fisherman: fly-fishing, rock and surf fishing, deepsea fishing, bass and trout fishing. The most common fish caught in the area are steenbras, grunter and leervis.

About Local Attrcations

Knysna is a vibrant town, buzzing with creativity and energy, and the pulse of good music. It's a place where the you can enjoy the mellow atmosphere of street cafes, watching the world go by. The main street is very leafy with trees along the pavements and it has a wonderful holiday atmosphere with sun umbrellas everywhere.Most cafes have outdoors seating areas overlooking the street or on the pavements, with colourful sun umbrellas - a perfect place to sit with the sun on your face, watching passers-by ambling along, sipping a steamy cappucino or staving off the heat with a cold drink.

Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Close to a golf course
* Close to a Beach
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Sonja Gunn
Telephone:	+27-82-5747047
Alt Telephone:	--
Fax:	+27-0866-565265
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