Leisure Isle
In the centre of one of South Africa's favourite holiday destinations lies a gem of a village. Leisure Island offers its residents prime views over the beautiful Knysna lagoon, the Knysna estuary, and the famous Knysna heads.
Leisure Island is true to its name - graced with an idyllic, relaxed lifestyle, which is also its main attraction. The few residents who are privileged enough to acquire one of these very sought-after properties in Knysna, can enjoy a variety of leisure and recreational activities on the island itself.
With Leisure Isle being only about 4km in circumference and completely flat, the perimeter road is a popular walking, jogging and cycling trail amongst residents of both the island and the greater Knysna, as well as those visiting the Garden Route.
The island is surrounded by water. In fact, the island actually floats on a "lens" of fresh water. The easy access to Bollard Bay beach or even the more marshy areas on the opposite side of the island allows for year round fishing, sunbathing, swimming, canoeing and sailing. The calm waters of the lapping lagoon side ensure the intimate white, sandy lagoon beach to be a popular destination for sundowners in Knysna - offering completely uninterrupted views through the Knysna heads.
The Leisure Island facilities include a delightful small boat harbour, tennis courts, bowling greens, library, restaurant, coffee shop, and art gallery cum antique shop. Even golfers are spoilt for choice with two signature golf courses in Knysna, and a local country club within easy hitting distance from the island.
The inviting community makes Leisure Isle the perfect residence for both young families and retirees. Children are well catered for on the island and young parents are permanently seen walking their babies or toddlers in the maze of little lanes and lovely community gardens. If you wish to retire to the Garden Route, Leisure Island would be a sound choice, as the island is where you'd find excellent nursing services in Knysna. Apart from the relaxed atmosphere, rich bird life and small wildlife, and low maintenance stands, Leisure Island offers some of the best value properties in Knysna.
Knysna's Leisure 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 Isle lies in the mix of old and new - with seaside cottages and lavish villas reflecting the island's long appeal from humble beginnings to its present day sought-after lifestyle.
The climate on Leisure Island is very temperate. "The Front" is always slightly cooler than the middle or the back of the island. The Knysna lagoon scenery changes with the tides - adding to the charm of living on Leisure Island, where recreational activities are planned around the incoming and outgoing tides. To crib a local adage, "the Island is so special, even the tide comes to visit twice a day".
To buy a property on Leisure Island is most definitely a great investment, as a Leisure Isle property offers both security and a lifestyle that is hard to beat! In most cases, the Leisure Island properties have realised 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.
The entry level property price on Leisure Island is around R2.5 million - which would offer you a nice three bedroom home in Knysna - with a garden and guaranteed to be close to the lagoon.
Living on Leisure Isle truly is a privilege. Acquiring a property in Knysna is a good investment, but to buy a house on Leisure Island would ensure that you live, work and play in one of the best communities offered by not only the Garden Route, but by the whole of South Africa.
- Residential Sale Property Ranging from R1,850,000 to R15,000,000
