Safest Suburbs in Garden Route
Looking for the safest areas in Garden Route? Based on the latest SAPS crime statistics (2025), these are the Garden Route suburbs with the lowest crime rates, ranked from safest to least safe across all 21 police precincts.
All Garden Route Suburbs Ranked by Safety
| Rank | Precinct | Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Rust | 1,034 | 388 | B |
| 2 | Still Bay | 1,473 | 240 | C |
| 3 | Calitzdorp | 1,615 | 533 | C |
| 4 | Uniondale | 1,786 | 471 | C |
| 5 | Riversdale | 2,186 | 363 | D |
| 6 | Groot Brakrivier | 2,227 | 731 | D |
| 7 | Dysselsdorp | 2,417 | 614 | D |
| 8 | Heidelberg(C) | 2,645 | 629 | D |
| 9 | Kwanokuthula | 2,848 | 962 | D |
| 10 | Albertinia | 2,968 | 513 | D |
| 11 | Mossel Bay | 3,078 | 368 | D |
| 12 | Ladismith | 3,316 | 1,122 | F |
| 13 | Da Gamaskop | 4,997 | 1,272 | F |
| 14 | Plettenberg Bay | 5,042 | 1,200 | F |
| 15 | Pacaltsdorp | 6,013 | 1,964 | F |
| 16 | Kwanonqaba | 6,339 | 2,364 | F |
| 17 | Thembalethu | 7,847 | 3,687 | F |
| 18 | Conville | 8,528 | 2,237 | F |
| 19 | Oudtshoorn | 12,443 | 3,514 | F |
| 20 | George | 12,851 | 1,811 | F |
| 21 | Knysna | 15,598 | 4,340 | F |
Crime rate = reported crimes per 100,000 people. Source: SAPS 2025.
Is Garden Route Safe to Live In?
Safety in Garden Route varies significantly depending on the suburb. Of the 21 police precincts in Garden Route, 1 are rated A or B (Safe to Very Safe), while 17 are rated D or F (High Risk to Very High Risk).
The safest suburb is De Rust with a crime rate of just 1,034 per 100,000 and a safety grade of B (Safe). In contrast, Knysna has the highest crime rate at 15,598 per 100,000, earning a grade of F (Very High Risk).
When choosing where to live in Garden Route, look for suburbs with an A or B safety rating. The top three safest areas are De Rust, Still Bay, Calitzdorp — all with crime rates well below the city average.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest suburb in Garden Route?
Based on the latest SAPS crime statistics (2025), De Rust is the safest suburb in Garden Route with a crime rate of 1,034 per 100,000 people and a safety grade of B (Safe).
Is Garden Route safe to live in?
Garden Route has 21 police precincts with safety scores ranging from B (De Rust) to F (Knysna). 1 precincts are rated Safe or Very Safe, while 17 are rated High Risk or worse. Safety varies significantly by suburb.
What are the top 3 safest areas in Garden Route?
The three safest areas in Garden Route are De Rust (1,034 per 100k), Still Bay (1,473 per 100k), Calitzdorp (1,615 per 100k).