About Thesen Islands
Just as Knysna is the centre of the Garden Route, so to is Thesen Islands at the centre of Knysna. This award-winning marina development, surrounded by the quiet waters of the famous Knysna lagoon, has created a life-style unique in South Africa. Most of the quality architect-designed homes are at the waters edge, fronted by canals that dissect the island.
A community atmosphere, friendly neighbours and beautiful surroundings combine to create a perfect outdoor holiday environment. Supported by the shops and diverse (award-winning) restaurants on the island, there is no need to travel afar.
A Short History
Knysna & the Island: “ The most beautiful country in the universe” was how French ornithologist & traveller Francois Le Vaillant described the place we now call Knysna meaning “place for ferns” or “sheer cliffs’ in San, the language of the earliest inhabitants.
In 1798 James Callander, a shipwright, recommended that Knysna provided a better harbour than Formosa Bay – now Plettenberg Bay- as long as ships could navigate the treacherous Heads. But it was George Rex, owner of the island and surrounding farm, who persuaded Governor Lord Charles Somerset and the Royal Navy of the attractions of Knysna as both a port, and a source of timber for shipbuilding. Thesen Islands, previously named Paarden Island, close to the deep water channel, soon became the preferred point for loading Timber.
In 1870, a Norwegian family, the Thesens, came to Knysna in their schooner Albatross and established Thesen & Company active in forestry, shipbuilding and whaling. In 1904 they bought the Island from one of George Rex’s descendents, having previously leased land and built the first Thesen’s jetty. In 1910 the South African Railways built the line over the causeway and Harbours took control of the jetty.
In 1924 the Thesen timber plant and mill were moved onto the island to be closer to the point of export.
With the spread of railway transport to George the harbour and port activities of Knysna declined but timber processing, furniture making and shipbuilding flourished. During World War 2 the British Admiralty commissioned the manufacture of lifeboats and submarine chasers, known as the Fairmile. The wood waste from the mill was used to generate electricity from turbines (still in place in the Power Station building) on the island for the town.
In 1974 Barlows, a major industrial conglomerate, bought the timber business from Thesen and Company, and operated it until the early 1980 when they decided that the environmental impact of the timber operation could no longer be justified. With the closing of timber operations the future of Thesen Island as a world-class marina development began.
Subject to sometimes extreme criticism, rigorous environmental development conditions and daunting engineering challenges, this unique island- home developed to take its place as a holiday destination where residents and international guests would ‘ rise with the sun, fish with the tides and rest with the moon’.
With acknowledgements to “Thesen Islands” by Dr Chris Mulder – the visionary.
Activities on the Islands: Do what you will – the choice is yours!
- On the island, in the residential area, the following facilities are provided and available to Guests:
- 2 Tennis courts
- Squash Courts
- Golf putting links
- Beach Volley Ball
- Boat launching slipways & trailer storage facilities
- Canoe & bicycle rental
- Internal private beaches and beach-barbeque facilities
- Most homes have private jetties
- Children's playground
- Clubhouse
In the adjacent commercial centre there are a wide variety of shops, great restaurants, boutique hotels, coffee shops and a handy ‘corner shop”. Each Villa is equipped with full Knysna & Thesen Islands booklets, giving you all the information & contact numbers that you may need during your stay. It’s a wonderful place!  Top |
THESEN ISLANDS
