MOSSEL BAY holds a special place in South African maritime history for this is the first recorded place used regularly along the South African coast by European seafarers journeying to the East.

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth at Longitude 22º 08′ E and Latitude 34º 08′ S, it is the smallest of the commercial harbours along the South African coast.

One of the most famous landmarks at Mossel Bay is the Post Office Tree, where seafarers from centuries ago posted letters home using a cleft in an ancient tree as a postbox. This was a result of ships calling at Mossel Bay regularly for watering and other purposes.