South Africa is a country known for its numerous wildlife sanctuaries and safari tours. Located along its “Garden Route” lies an award-winning marine development known as Thesen Islands. The islands are just off the mainland from Knysna Harbour and feature a group of land masses intersected by canals. They are largely comprised of gated, secure communities, with lovely homes sitting on the water or near to it. Thesen Harbour Town is a commercial area and is just a short, 10-minute walk from the residential centre.
The islands enjoy a quiet, tranquil pace, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing for visitors to do. Downtown are award-winning restaurants that serve every type of cuisine, along with cute boutique shops, bars and spas. The islands have a historical walking route, which is easy to maneuver with marked plaques along the way. You can swim, kayak or take a canoe ride through the canals or just find a spot on one of the jetties or piers to fish from. There is a children’s playground off the village square, along with an Elephant Park that the kids will love visiting. Be sure to check into one of these top Airbnbs on Thesen Islands, Knysna, South Africa.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.
1. Guesthouse with a view (from USD 49)
This charming guesthouse is the ideal location for a romantic getaway. Your rental includes a studio apartment that is separate from the host’s home to allow you privacy during your stay. Inside, you will find a small seating area, a kitchenette stocked with coffee, tea and hot cocoa, one bedroom with a large, comfortable bed and a bathroom.
Enjoy the second story view of the sea from the large, furnished deck while you enjoy your favourite morning beverage. The home is located in a gated community, across the bridge from the town of Knysna. You are within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, a hair salon, a park and a private beach.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we were there for work and a mini break and the wifi was superbwe had a lovely night in jenny’s apartmentbeautiful room in beautiful islandwe had a lovely stay at this beautifully decorated apartment in tranquil surroundingsCleanliness:
immaculately clean and well presentedit was spotlessly clean and very well appointedvery stylish and impeccably cleanstylish clean and perfect little spotvery beautiful and clean place with a nice terasseHost:
jenny was a great hostjenny is a great hostjenny was a great hostjenny was super accommodating and nicejenny was a wonderful host so friendly helpful and welcomingRead more reviewsLocation:
excellent location within the islandperfect location within walking distance to some great restaurantsstunning apartment in a great locationit’s location is super quiet and safethe location and the thesen island are secure and peaceful
2. Spacious apartment in the centre of town (from USD 47)
This large, loft-style apartment is centrally located near everything Thesen Harbor Town has to offer. The apartment has an open floor plan with a living room, kitchen, bedroom, dining table, and a bathroom. You will be located in the art district, right across the street from the famous Ile de Pain restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. You can rent mountain bikes from the host to help you explore the island and you are within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the breakfast and view at east head café was wonderfulbeautiful room with everything needednicely decorated apartment with all amenities in a very central locationthe apartment the recommendations the warm welcome from rianne and dirkdirk and rianne were amazing hosts with a stylish and warm apartmentCleanliness:
very clean and comfortableextremely clean and very modernsafe clean and quitethe apartment is very clean & beautifully decoratedit’s very clean & cosy as wellHost:
wonderful hosts who communicated well and made us feel very welcomeshe is truly a super hostthe best hosts with the most helpful tipslovely apartment great hosts awesome experience in knysnafriendly married couple who is always available and helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
close to a couple of very good restaurants at walking distancehomey feel and lovely location across from a great breakfast place and walking distance to restaurantsbeautiful apartment in a central locationgreat location and walking distance to many good restaurants and attractionswithin walking distance to great restaurants and bars and close driving distance to amazing beaches
3. Luxurious apartment with full kitchen (from USD 54)
This modern and neatly furnished apartment for two is the perfect couple’s getaway on Thesen Island. Those with a passion for cooking will be delighted once they see the kitchen. Equipped with a stove, an oven, a Nespresso machine, and even barbecue utensils, making a feast won’t be a problem. Head out to the patio and turn on the grill for an upgraded lunch. A king-size bed in the bedroom promises a comfortable sleep. You will have access to all sorts of entertainment, including a cable TV, Netflix, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. However, if you want to head out, various attractions are easily accessible from here.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the apartment has many thoughtful touches and amenitiesgood tv and a lovely balcony for sitting outside with a glass of winethe apartment was very well equipped with a kitchen coffee etclarge comfy bed great wet room shower; good wifi & tv selectiongreat apartment with lots of space to relaxCleanliness:
very nice and clean apartmentvery stylish and exceptionally cleanthe place is sparkling cleanplace was very clean and had everything you need to enjoy your staythe apartment was very modern and tastefully decorated and very cleanHost:
jeremy and his family were lovely hostsjeremy is a wonderful hostjeremy and his family were friendly and welcoming who gave great tipsjeremy is a wonderful host we got so many great tips and recommendationsjeremy is very friendly and helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location and safethe location was just breathtakinglocation great and very safebeautiful place in an amazing locationclose to everything bed very comfortable
4. Cosy studio on a jetty (from USD 41)
If you are looking for the best place to stay on the Thesen Islands, this small, ground-floor apartment is brand new and ready for you to enjoy. It features one open room with a bed, a small seating area, a kitchenette and a bathroom. On the jetty side of the building, you have a private furnished deck, where you can enjoy dining al fresco. At high tide the water comes right up to the deck, so you will feel as if you are living on a houseboat. You can enjoy many of the island’s sporting activities with the provided kayak or tennis rackets. The apartment is located in a secure neighbourhood and downtown is within walking distance.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
modern comfortable place with multiple amenities and good wifiit was super cozy and had great views onto the canalsit was lovely to go canoeing before breakfast as welleven though it is a small space we were very comfortable and enjoyed the area very muchit was excellent and provided more roomCleanliness:
very beautifull en clean appartmentthe apartment is very cleanthe unit was well-equipped and cleanthe place was very clean & all details were explained very wellthe place was clean and it was adequate for our needsHost:
jenny is the perfect hostjenny is friendly and witty and a lovely hostjenny was such a welcoming and helpful hosta great host who response quick if you need assistancejenny was a great host and was always quick to respond to our messagesRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location really cute spot would highly recommendthe location is absolutely nice abd very securewonderful location for a stay in knysnashort walk to all the nice restaurantsvery well located in terms of being close to everything while still being in a quite area
5. Beautiful villa on the water (from USD 120)
This lovely, two-story home features an open floor plan downstairs with a living room, dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen downstairs. Upstairs, you will find three full bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. The home sits on a private jetty off one of the many canals on the island.
Outside, you have a nice-sized deck and jetty that is ready for you to entertain on. You can use the jetty to launch the kayak for exploring, or just spend a relaxing afternoon fishing for your dinner. You are within walking distance of the island’s maze, sports centre and its many shops and restaurants.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the house was spotlessly clean everything worked and very nicevery well appointed clean and comfortable with a real homely feelclean with modern furnishingsthe accommodation is lovely clean and has good attention to detailthe house is very clean and wonderfully furnished equipped with everything you needHost:
such a great host and such good valueliddi is a great host & was quick to respond to any requestscan’t praise our host liddi enough for her prompt responses to any queries that we hadliddi was an excellent host who was easy to contactgood communication by the owner easy key pickup and dropoffRead more reviewsLocation:
perfect location with many restaurants within walking distancegreat location and great valueright on the water and within walking distance to super restaurantsa great secure location walking distance to shops and restaurantsgreat location and place to stay
6. Three-bedroom home with pool (from USD 189)
Capable of accommodating seven guests, this charming abode is the perfect spot for a family getaway or reunion. There are two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms in the house, and the third bedroom is detached and comes with its own entrance. Despite its waterfront location, it still comes with a pool where guests can cool off. An outdoor seating area makes for the best spot to watch the horizon. Other amenities to be enjoyed here include WiFi and an indoor fireplace.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bedrooms were very comfortable with an amazing view from the master bedroom which has its own sun deckgreat amenities at the property and a very comfortable staybut the facilities and amenities are greateverything you need is there from cable tv canoes and really relaxing living spacesamazing pool in the sunshine most of the dayCleanliness:
clean and well equippedthesen island is very quiet (out of school holidays) clean and safethe whole development is so beautifully clean with amazing indigenous gardens throughouta beautiful (website hidden by airbnb) dstv no handsoap in (website hidden by airbnb) towels for cleanlinessHost:
ilsebe was a perfect hostilsebe is a super hostilsebe was so caring and hospitablethe owners are professional and friendly and the booking process was seamlessamazing hosts too - very very accommodating and quick to helpRead more reviewsLocation:
wonderful location and place to get away and restbrilliant location and extremely comfortable homea great house in the perfect locationa great house in a fantastic locationreally convenient location with a pleasant 10 minute walk to restaurants and leisure activities
7. Spacious cottage by a beach (from USD 33)
This upstairs cottage provides plenty of space and privacy for you and your family. This cheap accommodation on the Thesen Islands has an open floor plan with a living/dining area and a fully equipped corner kitchen. There are two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. You will stay right on the waterfront with its bars, restaurants and shops. You are also close to the island’s many attractions, like the bird sanctuary, walking maze and the Knysna Elephant Park.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
tamzin's upstairs cottage is comfortable and beautifully appointed with modern furnishingsperfect second room for our toddler and lots to keep her entertained in the areawe had a great stay at tamzin’s apartmenttamzin made us very welcome to her beautiful apartment in the gated community of thesan islandwow such a beautiful modern apartment in a secure homely gated communityCleanliness:
very clean and tastefully decoratedthe place is very clean and comfortablevery clean beautiful and comfortable placevery nice apartment everything was very clean and also moderna great find - modern & cleanHost:
friendly host and beautifully furnished flatthe hosts were very friendly and accommodating and were quick to respond to our requeststamzin was a good host and very responsivetamzin was very friendlytamzin was a great host and the apartment is lovelyRead more reviewsLocation:
close to great restaurantsgreat location to explore the areagreat location on thesen isle with easy access to everythingtamzin’s place is in a wonderful location on beautiful thesen islandlovely comfortable apartment in a stunning location
8. Waterfront suite with a view (from USD 49)
This upstairs studio unit features plenty of windows to make it bright and airy. It has an open floor plan with a seating area, a laptop workspace, comfortable double bed and a bathroom. You have a furnished balcony where you can enjoy the stunning sunsets in the evening. There is no kitchen or cooking appliances in this rental but you do have a coffee maker. You can swim in the canals or use the provided canoes to explore the area in and around the island. You are close enough to most of the restaurants and bars to walk there in just minutes.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the room had great views and was very comfortablelovely view from the bedroom with a beautiful bathroom and very comfortable bedbeautiful view brillant room and super locatedthe apartment was as described and thesen island is a pretty placethe room was better than advertised spacious with lots of cupboardsCleanliness:
it was kept very clean with daily cleanupsthe apartment was nice and cleanthe room is big and clean and you have your own terrasthe room has everything you need: it is well equiped and very cleanperfect clean and central unit with great viewHost:
she's a great hostsuyenne was a great hostshe was super friendly helpful and lovely to chat tosuyenne is a host driven by passionsuyenne is such a good hostRead more reviewsLocation:
great location within 15 mins walking distance to some restaurants and barswe loved that the location is near many restaurantsgreat location and ill definitely be back :)the location is perfect thesen islands is fabulous safe and everything super closesuyenne’s place is ideal for a stay in knysna
9. Studio apartment with a pool (from USD 38)
This large studio apartment has the marina on one side and the lagoon on the other. It features an open room with a seating area that includes a sofa bed, a double bed, a small kitchenette and one bathroom. The apartment sits above the garage of the main house and offers splendid views from the windows. There is a swimming pool on the property that you are free to use during your stay. You are conveniently located within walking distance of the marina, where you can book a variety of different excursions and a couple of beaches.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great room on a ‘private’ island all needed essentials are therewifi was a bit slow but other than that everything was in perfect order and good valueapartment was as described had a nice (short) staya neat appartment with all necessary facilities and fast communication with the ownerthis is a comfortable pleasant quiet and secure unit close to good amenitiesCleanliness:
apartment was clean and neatwell equipped clean and super securefresh clean cotton sheets and a fab showerthe place was clean and easily accessiblethe accomondation is beautiful clean and really close to the oceanHost:
he was a really good hostido is a great hostido was a great host and gave great directions as well as allowing privacypeople are friendly and say hellohosts are friendly and the estate has amazing facilitiesRead more reviewsLocation:
great safe location ideal for short breaksgreat location comfortable quite location with easy access to restaurants & shopsgreat house and super nice location :)great place centrally located and peaceful settingperfect location to relax and close to waterfront restaurants for delicious fish meals
10. Cosy studio, close to the main gate
This small apartment is ideal for couples or solo travellers. The studio has one open room with a double bed, a small seating area and a kitchenette, plus a bathroom. You also have your own, small furnished deck for enjoying the sunset or just to people watch. The apartment is located near the main gate to the island, so please note that it can be noisy.
You are conveniently located near many of the best restaurants, including Tappas, that Knysna has to offer. This studio is the perfect place to unplug, as it has limited TV and no Wi-Fi, so you can truly enjoy your surroundings.
44.21 km (27.5 mi) from Garden Route National Park
11. Guesthouse overlooking the bird sanctuary
This cosy, upstairs guesthouse includes everything you need for a fabulous vacation. The unit features an open floor plan with a combination seating area and bedroom that includes a small kitchenette and one bathroom. You have a private deck that overlooks the bird sanctuary and the lagoon. The deck includes a dining table and barbecue grill for romantic dinners under the stars.
The price includes one sunset lagoon cruise with drinks provided by the host. You can also take advantage of their canoe or kayaks during your stay. Since it is located near the bird sanctuary, the host will happily provide you with binoculars and a bird book for you to identify the many species that call the island home.
Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa
43.69 km (27.2 mi) from Garden Route National ParkSuperhost
Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the room is wonderful with a nice deck and a spectacular view of the bay and the headsthe amenities offered on arrival including breakfast items and wine were an unusual special touchthe apartment was studio style but lovely and comfortable and most importantly cool in the heat at nightwe made good use of the canoe the pool and loungers and wifithe apartment has the best position in thesen islands overlooking the lagoonCleanliness:
super neat & spotless cleana small clean self-contained suite with lots of complimentary food itemsthe guesthouse is extremely clean and welcomingthe place is clean and tidy very very secure and extremely relaxingthe unit is tidy clean and has everything you could wish forHost:
coralie and klaus were amazing hostsklaus and coralie are amazing hostscoralie and klaus are truly wonderful hostscoralie and klause are the best hosts without any doubtthe best hosts we’ve ever hadRead more reviewsLocation:
awesome location on thesens islandplus the property and location is stunningit is a really great central location with great things near bysuperb location to explore the whole areaa super apartment in a wonderful location
12. Guesthouse on the water
If you’re looking for a scenic Thesen Island accommodation, this lovely room sits overlooking one of the estuaries. Your room includes a comfortable bed, a small seating area, mini fridge and a bathroom. The downstairs unit has its own private entrance and you have a lovely gazebo on the jetty that is ideal for relaxing with a glass of wine at the end of the day. The small island has many walking paths or you can use the bicycle provided for exploring the area.
Besides the small town with its shops and restaurants, there is a bird sanctuary that you can visit or wander down to the marina and book a fun sunset cruise.
Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa
43.51 km (27.1 mi) from Garden Route National ParkAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
super-comfy bed and a nice patio areafull dstv wifi the use of the jetty bikes and kayak if you pleasei would definitely recommend this air bnb the rooms and location were perfectthe house is beautiful and impeccably kept and the room leaves you in want of nothingthe room is set up like one you would expect in a very nice hotelCleanliness:
very clean good shower and bedsher place is very clean and neat with daily cleaning services includedlovely place with a clean and modern roomvery clean space and thoughtful hoststhe place is super clean and would recommend it to anyoneHost:
sustra and johan are amazing hostssustra was a wonderful and accommodating hostand the host is lovelysustra was a very friendly and welcoming hostlovely host enjoyed every moment of our stayRead more reviewsLocation:
superb location on the interlinking islandsclose to everything good in knysnasuch a beautiful locationthe neighbourhood is beautiful and in a fantastic location with many restaurants within a walking distancean amazing house location and great hosting
Tranquility by the sea
The Thesen Islands offers its visitors a safe, tranquil place to enjoy their vacation. While the lifestyle may be quiet and laidback, you will find plenty of attractions and activities to keep you busy during your visit. One of the most popular things to do on the islands is to swim or kayak through the canals, where you just might see the seahorses named for the area.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to