Overview

Plettenberg Bay, locally known as Plett is a quaint coastal town situated in the Western Cape of South Africa. It was originally named Bahia Formosa “Beautiful Bay” by early Portuguese explorers and is nestled on the famous Garden Route. This beautiful seaside town is a popular destination for family beach holidays with 10 miles of pristine beaches that stretch along the coast. The town is backed by mountains, and lush forests and dotted with lakes and rivers that lead outdoor enthusiasts to endless hours of adventure. There are some exciting activities to seek out in Plett including teh world’s largest bungee jump, a high-level canopy walk in the forest, and some great whale-watching opportunities. 

The Robberg Nature Reserve is another one of the main attractions here. This massive reserve is a must when visiting the Garden Route area. It is the perfect spot for whale and dolphin viewing, as well as bird watching, hiking, and exploring the Nelson Bay Cave. The popular peninsula is home to a large Cape fur seal colony, and they can often be spotted in the surf just off Robberg Beach.  Robberg is a haven for history lovers with rocks in the area that date back 120 million years, and artifacts from the Stone Age have been found in the caves in the area. There are three different hiking trails in Robberg, the longest being 7 miles long and lasting up to five hours, all the trails start at the same point. 

Plett is a popular resort town and one of the top tourist spots in the country, it retains a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. A coastal gem allowing visitors to soak up its beautiful nature and magnificent views, the town has a rich history which is evident in its colonial architecture and vibrant local community. With miles of beautiful beaches, it is a great place to visit for a summer vacation with some luxurious accommodations, outstanding restaurants, and some great shopping opportunities. There is an abundance of watersports to try as well as endless outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, abseiling, and bungy jumping. It boasts a moderate climate perfect for lazy sun-filled beach days and features six Blue Flag beaches.

Things to see and do

Plett is a playground for sports and outdoor enthusiasts with an almost endless list of activities in the area. Outdoor activities are plentiful with fabulous trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders. Due to its location on the sparkling coast watersport activities are endless and visitors can go swimming, snorkeling, sailing, paddling, scuba diving, boating, and fishing. 

The bay has a very rich marine life where schools of dolphins can regularly be seen frolicking in the surf. Whale watching (June-November) is very popular and the bay is home to Southern Right Whales that come here to calve in the protected waters.   

Robberg Nature Reserve is the perfect place for whale and dolphin viewing, it is a must-see destination when visiting Plett, the peninsula is also home to a large Cape fur seal colony which can often be seen in the surf just off Robberg Beach. The reserve is one of the best things to do on the entire Garden Route with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities and its famous climbing-falling dune. The area is packed with history and features rocks that are over 120 million years old, some also dating from the Stone Age. There are also many different hiking trails in Robberg. 

The Plett Winelands are a unique experience stretching from Harkerville to the Crags with wine and bubbly tastings. Plettenberg Bay is the smallest wine-growing region in South Africa with 58 hectares of the 100,000 hectares planted countrywide. The wine region stretches for 35 miles along the thin coastal strip from Packwood in Harkerville to Lodestone in the Crags. The bay hosts an annual Wine & Bubbly Festival in early October where participants can taste delicious wines from different wine farms while enjoying music and locally produced artisan foods. 

Visit Birds of Eden the largest single-span aviary in the world

Go to Monkeyland, the first free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary in the world. 

Go to the Beach! There are six premier “Blue Flag” status beaches in Plett including Robberg 5, Lookout Beach, Keurboomstrand, The Dunes, The Singing Kettle, and Nature’s Valley. 

Shopping

The Market Square is a large shopping center complex located within the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay and hosts Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Clicks, Cape Union Mart, PNA, Mr. Price, and 3 restaurants. The layout is in the form of a strip mall offering shoppers a wide selection of shops including fresh produce, clothing, and homeware. There are around 50 retail stores offering a comprehensive range of quality products including jewelry, clothing, shoes, and beachwear.

There is a craft and farmer’s market held every Saturday from 8 am until noon. It is a great place to shop for local produce, coffee, pastries, and prepared meals. There are also stalls cooking breakfast and lunch options and other stalls selling unique hand-crafted items. There is live music and a place for kids to play. Plettenberg Bay offers a number of unique shops including Mellvilles Center which is home to the Spar, a charity shop, PNA, and a quaint little coffee shop. Milkwood Center is located on Central Beach and is host to Ocean Safaris, Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking, The Yellowwood Spur, Fat Fish Seafood Restaurant, Live Green wholesome fresh food, and a beach hire/sales shop.

The Plettenberg Mall caters to everything a shopper needs with a variety of great stores and dining options to choose from including the state-of-the-art Checkers store. There is a coffee shop, a restaurant, and other entertainment options.

Old Nick Village in Plettenberg Bay is a shopping landmark in town featuring an eclectic collection of shops that are owned by creative manufacturers, designers, and curators. A sensory experience for the entire family, it was built in 1880 and has a long and rich trading history. There is a Mid Week Market held every Wednesday with homegrown fruits and vegetables, ethnically farmed meat and dairy as well as other local, natural, and homemade products.

Beaches

Plettenberg Bay features some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Plett has been nominated every year since 2009 for its beaches and won the title “Africa’s Leading Beach Destination” in 2020 with the World Travel Awards. The Plettenberg Bay Indian Ocean coastline stretches for 21 miles, 9 miles of this are the pristine, unspoiled white sandy beaches. There are many glorious beaches to choose from in Plett, some of them feature lagoon areas, and others are hot surfing spots. There are six premier “Blue Flag” status beaches in Plett including Robberg 5, Lookout Beach, Keurboomstrand, The Dunes, The Singing Kettle, and Nature’s Valley. 

The beaches here are perfect for a relaxing seaside vacation, holidaygoers can lounge in the soft, warm sand, and go swimming in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. The more adventurous travelers can go surfing, skimboarding, and bodyboarding in up to 12-foot waves found along the Plett’s coastline. The beaches here are home to some of the best waves in South Africa, visitors have the opportunity to take surfing lessons at some of the beaches here. 

Marine life is plentiful in Plett and exploring the underwater world is a fun and exciting way to spend a day in and on the water with a wide range of activities to choose from. The waters here are home to tropical fish, stingrays, sharks, seals, whales, and dolphins, so expect to see one or more of these on your adventures. 

Robberg Beach is situated on the southern end of the bay, it stretches for miles as far as the eye can see and is a great place to take long walks. The beach stretches between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island. This is a well-maintained beach and is close to some great restaurants. 

Central Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Plett, an iconic family beach that is perfect for swimming and other fun watersports. It is the launch site for Marine Safaris, dive charters, and ocean kayaking tours, other facilities include restaurants and bars. 

Lookout Beach is another popular beach for swimming and surfing with crystal clear waters and some impressive waves. It is a Blue Flag Status Beach great for families, there are some great restaurants and bars found along the beach.

Nature’s Valley Beach is a Blue Flag Status beach nestled between two national parks. A beautiful large expanse of beach that is within walking distance of the pristine Salt River Mouth. A birdwatcher's paradise with a nice beachfront restaurant. 

Dining

Plettenberg Bay is nestled along the beautiful coastline of the iconic Garden Route, a quaint coastal town known for its great restaurants. There are a large number of restaurants to choose from including cozy cafes, fine dining restaurants, and beachside bars. Plett is a food lovers paradise with many diverse restaurants found in the heart of town or along the beautiful beaches each one offering its own unique flavors and dining experiences. The restaurants in this region offer some of the best food in the country. Each dining establishment has a sumptuous menu where guests can dine on mouthwatering dishes, savor local flavors, and immerse themselves in some spectacular cuisine and views. Plettenberg's culinary delights include seafood due to its coastal location serving up the freshest seafood in the region, particularly its famous wild oysters picked off the Plett coast. The location of many of the restaurants along the coast are the main attractions in town with quaint cafes, charming taverns, seafood diners, and more. The restaurants offer local and international cuisine and sipping sundowners while watching the sunset is another major bonus. Hake is a popular fish dish, Lamb is a popular meat in South Africa, and the free-range beef is simply delicious. Plett is known for its rich diversity of superb local produce and fine dining offering over 50 eateries that range from African tented lodges to upmarket seafood restaurants with ocean views.

Nightlife

The real fun begins in Platt after the sun sets in this coastal town! Enjoying a few sundowners after a busy day in Plettenberg Bay is practically a pass time! There are many waterfront establishments where visitors can relax under the late-day sunshine and sip on a cocktail while soaking in a spectacular sunset. Sundowners are a true South African staple that many locals and tourists partake in, enjoy a few sundowners with a light bite to eat at a beachfront bar and watch the sun go down. The nightlife in Plett is varied with excellent restaurants to choose from, stylish cocktail bars, and some charming local hangouts are just a few options. Many of the evening establishments in town feature outdoor seating so guests can enjoy the balmy weather and beautiful beach views. There are several places to visit in the heart of town on Main Street in Plett. Partygoers can also choose from pool parties, discotheques, DJ Nights, pub crawls, trance festivals and so much more. There are lots of happy hour offers in town, and DJs playing great music, and alot of festivals and concerts filled by the younger generation.