Plettenberg Bay, located along South Africaâs renowned Garden Route, is a destination that offers a mix of adventure, relaxation, and nature experiences. With its stunning beaches, diverse wildlife, and outdoor activities, itâs a top choice for both local and international travelers. One of the Garden Routeâs top holiday destinations, Plettenberg Bay is a horseshoe-shaped bay complete with long, sheltered beaches and wonderful views of the deep-blue Tsitsikamma Mountains. A mere 25 minutes ahead, Plettenberg Bay is a seaside destination with spectacular scenery and a bay so beautiful that the Portuguese called it Bahia Formosa, which means âbeautiful bayâ. Today itâs affectionately known as Plett.
However, Plettenberg Bay - or Plett as itâs usually called - is a destination for all. As might be imagined, there is a wide selection of accommodation available in the area, ranging from luxurious beach houses and treetop suites - perfect for a honeymoon hideaway - to off-the-beaten-track forest lodges and family-friendly country estates.
A Brief History
The history of Plett is fascinating, beginning in the Middle and Later Stone Age and continuing through the colonial period to reach modern times. Plettâs colonial period launches with famous Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who was among the first to charter the bay. Navigator and cartographer Manuel de Perestrelo came up with âBahia Formosaâ in 1577. The Portuguese were also the first inhabitants of the area, albeit for just nine months in 1630 following a shipwreck. Another significant date is 1776, when Plett became home to barracks for the Dutch East India Company. A timber shed for the company was built just over a decade later. And in 1779 the Bay acquired its present name of Plettenberg, from Baron Joachim van Plettenberg, Governor of the Cape at that time.
Moving into the modern period, Plettâs first hotel, The Beacon Isle, was built in 1940 on the site of a whaling station that had - thankfully - proved unsuccessful in its aim to export whale oil. In 1972, the hotel was replaced with a resort. From 1960 to 1990 the area experienced something of a boom in vacation property, particularly along its Robberg Beach, which was termed âMillionaireâs Rowâ.
Getting There
At a road distance of 600 kilometers from Cape Town, and 210 kilometers from Port Elizabeth, âPlettâ, as it is now known affectionately to locals, is also accessible by air from Johannesburg and the Mother City.
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Beaches and Marine Life
Among Plettâs attractions are, of course, its beautiful beaches, white sands stretching for some 20 kilometers alongside the sparkling Indian Ocean - in fact, many reckon these are the best beaches in South Africa! As well as simply splashing about and soaking up the sun, you can enjoy surfing, skimboarding, and bodyboarding - or you can head below the waves. Central Beach is ideal for swimming and water sports, while Robberg Beach is perfect for long walks along the shoreline.
In the deeper waters, a treasure trove of marine life awaits, including whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, stingrays, and a vast variety of fish species. Wildlife lovers can also check out the Robberg Peninsula and its long nature reserve. Here you will find a large colony of fur seal, in addition to a wealth of marine species. The birding in the area is also impressive, and other activities available include walking, hiking, and kayaking.
A Plettenberg Bay holiday is also a top choice for animal encounters: go on boat trips to see the resident pods of dolphin and between June and November you can experience some of the best boat-based whale watching in the country.
Whale Watching from Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Nature and Wildlife Activities
If this sounds good to you, you might like to visit Keurbooms Nature Reserve too, which is located just 5 kilometers out of town. Keurbooms Lagoon is a peaceful escape where visitors can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing along the waterâs edge. The estuary is home to diverse birdlife, including fish eagles and kingfishers. Monkeyland and Birds of Eden are further options for morning or afternoon excursions. For a unique wildlife experience, visit Monkeyland, the worldâs first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. The guided tours allow visitors to see rescued primates in a natural forest environment. Right next door, Birds of Eden is the largest free-flight aviary in the world, home to thousands of birds from around the globe.
Robberg Nature Reserve is one of the most scenic hiking destinations in South Africa. This rugged peninsula offers several trails ranging from easy to challenging, with breathtaking coastal views and opportunities to see seals, dolphins, and even great white sharks in the ocean below. The reserve is also home to a large seal colony, and birdwatchers can spot a variety of seabirds.
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Just a short drive from Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park offers incredible hiking opportunities. The Storms River Mouth trail leads to the famous suspension bridge, offering dramatic views of the rugged coastline. For more experienced hikers, the Waterfall Trail provides a challenging but rewarding trek with a natural rock pool at the end for cooling off.
Adventure Activities
For adrenaline seekers, Bloukrans Bridge, located just outside Plettenberg Bay, is home to the worldâs highest commercial bungee jump at 216 meters. Operated by Face Adrenalin, the experience is not only a thrill but also provides stunning views of the Bloukrans River Gorge.
Wine Route
The Plettenberg Bay wine route is growing in reputation, with boutique vineyards offering excellent cool-climate wines. Many estates offer wine tastings and pairings with stunning views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean.
Other Activities
While the Garden Route is not traditionally known for Big Five safaris, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve offers guided game drives where visitors can see three of the Big Five, including elephants, rhinos, and leopards. The reserve also hosts a variety of antelope species, giraffes, and birdlife.
Events and Nightlife
During the midsummer months of December and February, Plettenberg Bay becomes a party town: its beaches attract big crowds, bars and restaurants fill up and there's a humming nightlife. And with a busy calendar of events in place all year round, you can guarantee there will be something of interest whenever you visit!
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Dining
Inland, the town itself is pretty special, featuring more than enough bars, cafĂŠs, and restaurants to entice you during your stay. Plettenberg Bay has a vibrant food scene, with restaurants offering everything from fine dining to casual beachfront eateries. Seafood is a highlight, with fresh oysters, calamari, and line fish regularly on the menu. Popular dining spots include The Lookout Deck for oceanfront meals and Emily Moon for a more refined, scenic experience. For a bite to eat at lunch, it is worth trying Enricoâs restaurant on Keurbooms Beach, which serves excellent seafood. For a special meal, then why not book a table at Emilyâs, which is about five minutesâ drive outside Plettenberg Bay, or Zinzi, which is nine kilometers from Plettenberg Bay in the direction of Knysna (it is part of Hunterâs Country House).
Exploring Beyond Plettenberg Bay
Our Garden Route coastal drive portion usually starts in Mossel Bay, with the next stop being George (ever so slightly inland and well-known for its famous Fancourt Golf Course). Knysna occupies a narrow shelf between a large lagoon and the sheer Tsitsikamma Mountains. Knysna Lagoon is protected by two large cliffs - called âThe Headsâ - through which a boat-sized gap leads out into the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy a malaria-free safari at the very end of the Garden Route in the Eastern Cape. Reserves such as Kwandwe, Shamwari, Lalibela, Kariega and Addo Elephant Park, are situated close to Port Elizabeth at the Garden Routeâs eastern end.
Route 62 makes for the ideal self-drive destination. Passing through many small rural communities, the Route 62 meanders its way between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn. Winding through impressive mountain passes and many beautifully preserved little âdorpiesâ (small towns) on its way. Route 62 is the inland alternative to N2 which runs closer to our Southern coastline. The route encompasses dramatic mountains, stunning landscapes, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and fruit orchards as it winds gently through the Breede River Valley and Klein Karoo. Hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and 4x4 trails are found in most of the villages along the way, while others offer fly fishing, canoeing and rock climbing. The perfect base is Oudtshoorn.
The Whale Route and Overberg region run from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas and inland to Swellendam. Flanked by some of the most spectacular coastlines in Africa, our Whale Route is worth a stop. Each year, between July and November, our shores are chosen by Southern Right and Humpback Whales to calve, and this has afforded Hermanus the title of âbest land-based whale watchingâ in the world. What better way to walk off a big breakfast than by taking a stroll along its gorgeous coastal promenade? Inland the area is equally as spectacular and includes pretty villages such as Stanford, Swellendam, and its botanical gardens, Harold Porter, perched beautifully between mountain and sea. If you have time, consider stopping off at the southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas where the Indian and Atlantic oceans converge.