Leisure Isle
Leisure Island is an Island village within Knysna - one of South Africa's favourite towns and holiday destinations! Knysna is situated in the beautiful Garden Route where natural beauty abounds and fun in the sun is the order of the day. Knysna hugs the shores of the large Knysna estuary and Leisure Island lies in the lagoon close to the famous Knysna Heads!
Leisure Island is true to its name, graced with an idyllic, relaxed lifestyle that is its main attraction. The Island is flat and surrounded by water (about 4 kms in perimeter) offering wonderful recreation opportunities for all ages. The water is never far away, in fact, the Island even floats on a ‘lens' of fresh water! It is a place where young and old can live year round or have a really great holiday! For young families, there is always a lot for children to do, from building sand castles and swimming, to boating, canoeing, sailing, kite or windsurfing and fishing off the water's edge. One never tires of walking, jogging or cycling on the Island with its maze of little lanes, lovely gardens, plentiful birdlife and friendly people. As a retirement option there are few places more ideal. The Islanders are unpretentious and welcoming, a community within the greater Knysna community with nursing services also available.
The Island has a number of amenities that include a delightful small boat harbour, tennis courts and bowling greens, a library, an excellent restaurant, a coffee shop and a unique art gallery cum antique shop! Golfers are spoilt for choice with two signature courses and a local country club is within easy hitting distance!
The Island was bought in 1923 by Sir George Cearn whose intention was to create an affordable community for railway workers and their families. This never happened and today the charm of Leisure Island lies in the mix of old and new, seaside cottages and lavish villas reflecting the Island's long appeal from humble beginnings to its present day unique sought after lifestyle! The Island is a great investment as it offers both security and a lifestyle that's hard to beat. While enjoying life in this safe haven, your investment works hard for you. In most cases, properties have realized a 15% growth year on year for the past 20 years excluding the last two recessionary years. We are presently in a period of readjustment where prices are becoming more realistic and demand is on the increase once again. We have our own property eco-climate driven by supply and demand. Entry level on to the Island is around R2.5 million for a nice, three bedroom home with garden close to the lagoon.
Leisure Island has a very temperate climate, with ‘the Front' always being slightly cooler than the middle or back of the Island. The scenery changes with the tides which add to the charm of Island living with recreation planned around the incoming and outgoing tides! To crib a local adage, "the Island is so special, even the tide comes to visit it twice a day". Those of us who live here feel truly privileged - this is one of South Africa's best places to live, work and play!
Places to eat!
