Thesen Island

With virtually every plot on the islands offering unique waterside living, from the lock-up-and-go Drymill apartments to the waterside lodges, this development caters for every lifestyle.

It is difficult to believe that five years ago the island was still an industrial site that housed a sawmill. Attached to the old sawmill were a number of industrial buildings, all of them intimately linked to the history of Knysna. These were all restored and given a new lease on life as an integral part of Thesen Harbour Town, as the shopping area is called.
The old saw-tooth building is a treasure house in its own right. Although originally a factory building, its entire roof structure consists of precious yellowwood beams from the famous indigenous forests around Knysna.

Located near the start of the shopping area, the old Plywood Shed was turned into a highly functional parking garage that provides more than adequate parking for visitors.

The primary focus is on small, boutique style shops offering a wide range of exclusive products and high-fashion items in a relaxed, fun-filled atmosphere.

From jewellery to fashion, and home decor to antiques, lifestyle is the key word on Thesen Island. Its restaurants not only create a stylish and exotic environment, but also combine leisure and pleasure in their choice of fine wines and tempting cuisine.

One of the highlights of a visit to Thesen Harbour Town is The Boatshed with a long history of contributing to the country’s nautical history. Here, over many generations, boats were built for the lively coastal trade, while famous racing yachts like Voortrekker I and II took shape here.

Once a large, rambling building, The Boatshed has undergone a remarkable transformation, but retains its rugged appeal with exposed beams and corrugated iron. Today The Boatshed houses The Lofts, a 4-star boutique hotel, and a number of offices and exclusive shops.

Located right on the water’s edge, The Lofts offers exquisite views of the estuary and Knysna’s famous Heads. The individualised luxury rooms reflect a Post-Modern elegance while retaining a strong indigenous character
Also located in The Boatshed is Ile de Pain, voted one of the top ten restaurants in South Africa and one of the most popular spots for breakfast and lunch in Knysna. Famous for its impressive range of breads, Ile de Pain has acquired a truly national following.

The shops in The Boatshed focus mainly on lifestyle and interior décor, thereby creating an ambience that is in line with the inimitable charm of island living.

Shumbawi, also located in The Boatshed, offers a collection of semi-precious stone and silver jewellery. Specialising in unique one of a kind pieces and beaded necklaces with stones and beads collected from Mexico to India, the owner Cornelia Gericke uses tourmaline, garnet, citrine, amethyst, peridot, moonstone, amber, pearl, and hand-crafted silver, all of which are carefully combined to create unique and inspiring pieces of jewellery.

At Love Affair, the shop that specialises in luxury linen and home ware, you will find bottles and bottles of oils and lotions, linen sprays and candles, armoire’s filled with the finest Polish linen in candyfloss colours, the whitest cottons and the softest down pillows and duvets, and children’s sleigh beds piled high with gorgeous gingham and patchwork cushions and quilts.

Blue Dot Diamond Manufacturing, the exclusive diamond cutting and polishing factory in the Southern Cape, and Stefan de Bruyn Goldsmiths, preferred jewellery factory to the trade and the public locally and internationally, have joined forces to bring about the Thesen Island Diamond and Jewellery Manufacturing Centre – the only one stop diamond and jewellery buying experience in the Garden Route.

Thesen Islands has created two unique, sophisticated environments – an environment in which to work, live, and play, and an environment in which to shop, dine, and just relax. The choice is yours, but the experience is exceedingly special.