Knysna Houseboats
Location: Th34 First Floor, Thesen Island, Knysna, 6571, Knysna, za
Star Rating: 8 Stars
Property Type: Houseboat
About this Property
Unique Beachfront Accommodation
Set in Knysna, Knysna Houseboats offers a one-of-a-kind experience with beachfront accommodation on a floating boat. Enjoy stunning lake views and a private beach area, all within close proximity to top attractions like Simola Golf and Knysna Heads.
Family-Friendly Amenities
The property offers family rooms and units with private bathrooms. Some rooms even include a fully equipped kitchen, providing added convenience for guests.
Convenient Facilities
With a minimarket on site, guests have easy access to essentials during their stay. Explore nearby attractions like Pezula Golf Club and Knysna Forest, or unwind on the terrace with panoramic views of the surroundings.
Book your unique beachfront stay at Knysna Houseboats for an unforgettable getaway.
Important Information
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Policies
Check-in: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Amenities & Facilities
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- BBQ facilities
- Luggage storage
- Fax/photocopying
- Grocery deliveries
- Outdoor furniture
- Staff adhere to local safety protocols
- Guest rooms disinfected between stays
- Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
- Physical distancing rules followed
- Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
- Cashless payment available
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kit available
- Sanitized tableware & silverware
- Contactless check-in/check-out
- Invoice provided
- Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
- Smoke alarms
- Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
- Guest room sealed after cleaning
- Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
- Physical distancing in dining areas
- Key access
- Food delivered to guest room
- CCTV outside property
- Process in place to check health of guests
- Access to health care professionals
- Face masks for guests available
- 24-hour security
- Delivered food - securely covered
- Security alarm
- Thermometers for guests provided by property
- Broadcast Live sport events
- Pub crawls
- Shopping on site
- Television in common areas
- Golfing on site
- Offsite parking discounted rates available
- Private beach nearby
- Housekeeping on request
- Concerts/live shows
- Wine release events
- Covered parking
- Secured parking
- Golf cart
- Fishing nearby
- Beach club nearby (surcharge)
- Beach toys
Rooms Available
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchenette. The mobile home also offers a barbecue. The mobile home features a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- CD player
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Body soap
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home is consisted of of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchenette. The mobile home also has a barbecue. The mobile home features a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchenette. The mobile home also features a barbecue. The mobile home has a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the kitchenette. The mobile home also offers a barbecue. The mobile home features a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchenette. The mobile home also comes with a barbecue. The mobile home has a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the fully equipped kitchenette. The mobile home also features a barbecue. The mobile home has a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
-
Mobile Home
This mobile home comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, kitchenware and an oven in the well-equipped kitchenette. The mobile home also includes a barbecue. The mobile home has a seating area, an outdoor dining area and lake views. The unit has 3 beds.
Max Occupancy: 5 (4 Adults)
- Shower
- Kitchenette
- Radio
- Refrigerator
- Seating Area
- Toilet
- Private bathroom
- Shared toilet
- Kitchen
- Dining area
- Oven
- Stovetop
- Barbecue
- Cleaning products
- Linen
- Dining table
- Outdoor dining area
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Wine glasses
- Fire extinguisher
- Hand sanitiser
Guest Reviews
- Chené (8/5): Excellent experience - The experience being on your own houseboat was very special. Swimming in the lagoon with our kids, watching a stunning sunset and sunrise and sleeping under the stars were some of the highlights of our trip. The idea of being your own captain was both scary and thrilling. A very important necessary temporary skipper license took longer than expected (about 1.5 hours)
The availability of the staff for communication can be improved.
- Thomas (9/5): - Although we‘ve arrived too late and needed full instruction (keep check-in-Times in your mind!) staff was very friendly, helpful and patient!
Vessel was well equipped, in good and safe condition. Beautiful experience!
- fay (7/5): -
- Leyland (10/5): Great experience - Surroundings amazing, instructions great, overall great experience. Basically camping on water, expect small ablusion, porta potti toilet.
- Hennie (6/5): -
- Nicole (10/5): Dont hesitate to book a houseboat, it was a great experience - Spent New years eve on the houseboat, it was perfect! The kids loved it, they jumped off the boat and swam, the husbands fished, there was adequate kitchen to make food and a barbecue area.
- Janus (10/5): -
- Kerrie (7/5): A positive experience on the Knysna lagoon but could do with some updating and more comfort if staying more than 1 night - The staff at base office were amazing. Really friendly, helpful and caring. They made process very easy and were available to assist. The boats are needing some general repairs and the beds could do with a better mattress. Everything worked just a bit tired in places
- Gail (10/5): - A once in a lifetime experience. Wouldn't change anything
- Mornay Oliver (9/5): - Warm welcome from the Staff especially Mario Other boats at 6:30 in the morning speeding and making waves next to the boat "rude awakening"
- Claire (9/5): The ultimate relaxing holiday in a superb location - Staff and customer service was 5 star, enabling us to have a wonderfully relaxing stay in a stunning location
- Corné (10/5): -
- Brandon (10/5): -
- Gerhard (8/5): Motorboot, Motorboot - rudern tu ich nir zur Not - Coole Erfahrung, muss man mal gemacht haben.
Super nette „Skipper“ Einschulung. Erste Reihe am Wasser :) Waterfront Leider ist bei unserem Boot Nachts der Strom ausgefallen (Batterie leer).
- Philip (9/5): -
- Elain (8/5): Very good -
- Marie (8/5): An amazing once in a lifetime experience! A must! -
- Audrey (10/5): Exceptional - Staff and stay just perfect
- Morne (7/5): Good - The freedom to explore
- Nils (10/5): Exceptional - It was a great experience. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
- Fathima (4/5): Misrepresentation & lies... - We liked the ability to move around in the bay and the scenery that went with it. The advert gave 2 options (2 sizes of boats) with differing prices. We opted for the larger boat, which cost more as we are a family of 5, and paid the extra.
Upon arrival, we were given the oldest boat. After querying why the boat selected for us was not the one we paid for, Knysna Houseboats (KH) informed us that our boat had already gone out earlier that morning, and there was an error with Booking.com as another person also booked the "larger boat". This is in spite of us having first called KH in November and confirmed availability, then booked and paid for the larger boat, as advertised.
Knysna Houseboats also delayed our departure due to insufficient power on the boat but still sent us out with this shortfall. We had to ask for the team to come out and change the batteries, so our food wouldn't go off.
We later learned that all of the boats are the same size and the advert was, in fact, a misrepresentation. A screenshot of images reflecting the sizes of the cabins on the boats is attached.
When we returned, after engaging with the manager of Knysa Houseboats, he confirmed that the boat that we booked, was allocated to another family that left at the same time as us, but without any reason for the unfair preference! So, this was a blatant lie that contradicted what he said when we were leaving.
We were really looking forward to enjoying the experience with our family. Unfortunately, due to the lies and deception, it turned out what was supposed to be a great holiday to a very disappointing experience.
Now we are awaiting the reconciliation from Knysna Houseboat.
- Rhyan (9/5): Superb -
- Rika (10/5): Exceptional -
- Maricke (4/5): Beware hidden costs - Beautiful location Hidden costs: (after you get off your boat)
Charged for fuel: R1000
Tried to charge for braai gas
(nowhere do they state these costs upfront)
Boat condition:
We were given a different boat to the one we paid for.
Battery’s inside were flat
Fridge didn’t work
Locks on entry sliding door broken
- Natalie (10/5): Exceptional -
- Sandre (10/5): Exceptional -
- Arno (8/5): It's like camping... but on water - The staff were amazing, friendly and incredibly helpful. Special thanks to Mario for being such a friendly guy. Being allowed to take the boat out on your own and to make your own way around the knysna river was a lot of fun. There's nothing to specifically dislike, but you will need to manage your expectations in terms of comfort when sleeping on a boat. The bathroom and bedroom facilities are more comparable to camping than to staying in a hotel. So be prepared to use a camping toilet.
- Christine (8/5): Small space but a perfect way to explore the knysna lagoon! Would do it again :) - Great experience and lovely way to explore the Lagoon. It’s a bit tired with their amenities requiring an update.
- Amanda (8/5): Otherwise a great experience - We loved the boats, although some maintenance is required.
Very comfortable sleeping accommodations
Good kitchen facilities We were charged a deposit of 1200.00 and we are unsure what this was for, apart from assistance. I received a payment of 280.00 odd - this seemed excessive!
Photos