About Plettenberg Bay

Unwind in the charming resort of Plettenberg Bay while enjoying a beach holiday or romantic getaway on South Africa's famed Garden Route.

Commonly known as Plett by the locals, the resort sits high on a rocky peninsula overlooking wide golden-sand beaches, tranquil lagoons, unspoiled native forests and a sweeping half-moon bay.

Framed by the Robberg Peninsular Nature Reserve to the west and by the Tsitsikamma National Park to the east, Plettenberg Bay is an ideal stopover point or base for exploring the Garden Route.

Things to do and see

Spot Bryde whales, friendly bottlenose dolphins and seals mixing it with local surfers year round. And watch southern right, humpback and killer whales during their annual migration between July and October.

Follow several trails with ocean views through the rugged Robberg Peninsular Nature Reserve or explore the town’s scenic environs along the 5km-long Milkwood Trail.

Spy birdlife from a kayak or on foot in the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve then get an adrenalin rush by soaring from the top of the Bloukrans River Bridge – the highest bungee jump in the world at 216m. For a less intense challenge, swoop across the Bloukrans Gorge aboard the 200m-long flying fox.

Enjoy the waterslides, playground, mini-golf, trampolines and sand pit at Wild Waters Adventure Park then see and touch elephants at Knysna Elephant Sanctuary. Spot around 13 different species of primates on a foot safari at Monkeyland and then spy around 100 species of free-flying native birds at the neighbouring Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world.

Polo fans may like to diarise the Kurland International Polo Match, where local and international socialites compete on nimble ponies every December.

Accommodation
Plett offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets including: the luxurious Plettenberg Park, set in a private nature reserve overlooking a private beach and the Indian Ocean; The Plettenberg, a stylish hotel positioned on a hill overlooking Lookout Beach; and The Grand Rooms, a classy and intimate establishment located in the town centre just a short walk from Central Beach.

The Garden Route is famous for its indigenous forests, freshwater lakes, wetlands, hidden coves and long and sweeping white- and golden-sand beaches. The narrow coastal strip stretches for 185km from Mossel Bay via Plettenberg Bay to Storms River (near Port Elizabeth) and inland to the mountain peaks of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma.

Highlights of the scenic route include Knysna's lagoon, Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can wander through dense indigenous forests past bubbling streams and stunning cascades to dramatic shoreline vistas.

Best time to visit Plettenberg?
The best time for a Plettenberg Bay holiday is any time; Plettenberg enjoys a mild temperate climate with little annual rainfall. October to May is the hottest time of year with an average temperature of 23°C in January. July to August is the coolest time of year, with the average daily temperature hovering at around 10°C.

Location – Plettenberg Bay lies on South Africa's south coast, around 210km west of Port Elizabeth and around 520km east of Cape Town. To the north lie the Tsitsikamma and Langkloof mountains.

Getting there – By air, take a 1-hour flight from Cape Town to the closest airport, George, 125km to the west, roughly a 40-minute drive. By road, Plettenberg Bay is a 6.25-hour drive from Cape Town.