The history of Mossel Bay goes further back than the first landing of Portuguese explorers in 1488, in fact evidence suggests that this area is the birth place of modern human behaviour, after decades of debate, paleoanthropologists now agree the genetic and fossil evidence suggests that the modern human species - Homo sapiens - evolved in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago.

Arizona State University paleoanthropologist Curtis Marean  In seeking the "perfect site" to explore the origins of modern human behaviour, Marean analyzed ocean currents, climate data, geological formations and other data to pin down a location where he felt sure to find one of these progenitor populations: the Cape of South Africa at Pinnacle Point, Mossel bay was chosen after excavations in the Blombosch caves Marean stated.

"Our findings show that at 164,000 years ago in coastal South Africa humans expanded their diet to include shellfish and other marine resources, perhaps as a response to harsh environmental conditions," notes Marean, a professor in ASU's School of Human Evolution and Social Change. "This is the earliest dated observation of this behaviour." Professor Curtis Marean.

Mossel Bay (Afrikaans: Mosselbaai) is a town with 150 000 inhabitants in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It lies on the southern coast of South Africa, east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of Knysna on the Indian Ocean coast and is part of the Garden Route.

Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias arrived here on February 3, 1488, thus proving to his sponsors that Africa had a southern tip; making it theoretically possible to sail from Europe to India.

Originally called by Dias Aguada de São Brás (Bay of Saint Blaise), the harbour and surrounding area was renamed Mosselbaai (Bay of Mussels) in 1601 by Dutch navigator Paulus van Caerden, as he found the bay to be abundant with mussels.

He also called a nearby bay, where he found cattle herders, Vlees Bay (Bay of Meat). On the 28^th of January 1846 the British refounded the town as Aliwal South in honour of the British victory at the Battle of Aliwal in India. However this name never caught on and the town reverted to Mossel Bay;. It received municipal status in 1852.

The coast around this area has been notorious, to assist shipping the current lighthouse which is situated high above Mossel Bay was commissioned on 15 March 1864 . It is a 20.5 meter masonry tower it is still operational today.

It is said by some travellers that Mossel Bay is an industrial town to be avoided, seriously this is not the case, the industrial side of the town is designed to be close to the N2 highway for obvious reasons, do not be put off by this.

Once into Mossel Bay itself you can enjoy the 24kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches, spectacular coastline, wonderful surf, exhilarating walks, great golf courses, restaurants with unbelievable views, excellent accommodation and a warm welcome, a great place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area under the watchful eye of the Outeniqua Mountains

Mossel Bay is now a gentle seaside town on the Garden Route of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It's a welcoming place, not at all touristy, that loves children and families, singles and couples, backpackers and tour groups.

It is genuine, home grown, South African Coastal town. One where you will really relax, where you will quickly, slip into their "No Hurries, No Worries" frame of mind.