Plettenberg Bay
Fast Facts
Long before Van Riebeeck landed at the Cape, Portuguese explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries called in and charted the bay, the first being Bartholomew Dias in 1487. Ninety years later Manuel da Perestrello aptly called it Bahia Formosa or the Bay Beautiful.
A Piece of Paradise
Your first glance as you enter Plettenberg Bay is one of utter disbelief. The beauty of this bay takes your breath away and you need to take a moment to absorb its splendor. With endless white sandy beaches and a magnificent mountain backdrop you really do feel like you have arrived in paradise.
The main attraction of ‘Plett’, as the locals call it, is its unspoilt coastline. The clear blue warm waters and excellent safe swimming beaches make this is an ideal beach holiday destination. With a very mild climate year round it seems as if Plett has forgotten to add winter to its yearly calendar. Boutique hotels and owner managed beachfront guesthouses add to the Plett's small-town flavour and personalize your experience.
Rest and adventure are of equal proportions and depend on completely how energetic you feel. Days are spent strolling and relaxing on the beach or heading out to be a bit more adventurous and plunging off the world’s highest bungy jump or swinging 30m above the ground over the forest.
Your first glance as you enter Plettenberg Bay is one of utter disbelief. The beauty of this bay takes your breath away and you need to take a moment to absorb its splendor. With endless white sandy beaches and a magnificent mountain backdrop you really do feel like you have arrived in paradise.
The main attraction of ‘Plett’, as the locals call it, is its unspoilt coastline. The clear blue warm waters and excellent safe swimming beaches make this is an ideal beach holiday destination. With a very mild climate year round it seems as if Plett has forgotten to add winter to its yearly calendar. Boutique hotels and owner managed beachfront guesthouses add to the Plett's small-town flavour and personalize your experience.
Rest and adventure are of equal proportions and depend on completely how energetic you feel. Days are spent strolling and relaxing on the beach or heading out to be a bit more adventurous and plunging off the world’s highest bungy jump or swinging 30m above the ground over the forest.
The Bay is known to attract an incredible diversity and richness of marine life including dolphins and whales. A great way to see the marine life is to go on an ‘ocean safari’ offering you inspiring encounters with whales, dolphins, seals, sharks and pelagic birds.
In addition to Plett’s natural wonders, the town is full of fun and has attracted many of affluent South Africa’s who have decided to make Plett their holiday home destination. Complete with top restaurants, bars, live entertainment and good shopping this paradise is definitely on top of the list of places to stay or visit along the Garden Route.
Our Travel Experts know the Plettenberg Bay area extremely well - most of them have even jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy jump - so drop them a line and they'll be sure to help you plan your holiday and will be able to suggest some great accommodations for your stay.
Highlights
Beautiful Beaches »
Plettenberg Bay boasts some of the best beaches on the Garden Route. Central Beach is the busiest beach in town and has facilities that include restaurants and bars. Robberg Beach is probably our favourite and is perfect for long strolls as it stretches for many kilometers between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island.
Whale and Dolphin watching »
Bottlenose dolphins, Humpback dolphins, Killer and Southern Right whales all make Plettenberg Bay their home throughout the year. We strongly recommend either a sea-kayak trip to see the dolphins or a half day boat trip with professional guides. It will be one of the highlights of your South African holiday.
Insider tips
Walk Robberg Beach in Plettenberg Bay before having lunch at The Deck.
The chocolate fondat at the Upper Deck in Plett is to die for.
Wander around Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
Go to Cornuti's for the best pizza in town!
Visit Hemmingway's for a romantic lunch- ask for the private dining option on the lagoon.
Take a day trip to the world's highest bungee jump at Bloukrans.
Rent deck chairs and umbrellas and go and spend the day on Central Beach, topping up the tan.
Activities
Bungee Jumping- The intrepid traveller should tackle the Bungee Jump at Bloukrans, the World's highest!
Kloofing- spend the day canyoning through the gorges and pools of the nearby Kaaimans River.
Black-water tubing- The Stormsriver is the ultimate black-water rafting destination.
Scenic walks- These abound in the Plettenberg area. Take a long stroll along the spectacular Robberg Beach.
Getting there
Plettenberg Bay is easiy accessible by land and air.
Most travellers take in Plettenberg Bay as part of an extended self-drive tour of the region. The road network is excellent and easy to navigate.
The closest domestic Airport is George Airport, roughly a 1hr 15 minute drive away.
It is possible to fly to George from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Recommended Regional Accommodation and Tours
The Plettenberg »
The Plettenberg, a 5 star Relais & Chateaux Hotel built on a rocky headland with breathtaking vistas of the sea, mountains and miles of golden sand in one of the most spectacular resorts in Africa. Experience fabulous sightings of dolphins and whales in the bay from the hotel terraces
Read more »Bay Lodge »
Bay Lodge is an exclusive six suite luxury boutique beach lodge in Plettenberg Bay, featuring the latest in designer trends and the highest standards of barefoot luxury lodging and hospitality. The Lodge has amazing views over the Indian Ocean and is a short walk to the beach.
Read more »Hog Hollow Country Lodge »
Hog Hollow Country Lodge is a 4-star lodge set on the edge of an indigenous forest in a private nature reserve with panoramic views of the surrounding indigenous forests, valleys and mountains, in one of the most beautiful parts of Africa - the Garden Route.
Read more »Tsala Treetops Lodge »
Tsala Treetop Lodge is quite simply unique and very desirable, resting high above the forest floor in the treetops of the forest of the Garden Route. The Lodge has elevated walkways that lead you to your romantic suite where intimate luxury awaits you with your private rim-flow pool and exquisite views.
Read more »SA Boutique Luxury »
Staying at some of the most beautiful & premium properties in South Africa, this tour offers you an amazing experience including a safari, a visit to the Garden Route and Route 62 and ending with a stay in Cape Town. This is a truly remarkable trip.
Read more »Cape and Garden Route »
This remarkable self drive tour allows you to discover South Africa at your own leisurely pace. Staying in some on the best boutique hotels available your trip starts in Cape Town then heads to Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay and ends with a big five safari.
Read more »Boutique at its Best »
This delightful itinerary features some of South Africa’s finest boutique hotels. As well as fantastic accommodation, this itinerary is a veritable highlights package that offers rest and relaxation, spectacular scenery and a variety of memorable experiences.
Read more »South Africa in Style »
A perfect honeymoon in South Africa combining luxurious accommodation with a variety of different locations and experiences, from Cape Town right through to a Big Five safari experience via the stunning Cape Winelands and the beauty of the Garden Route.
Read more »






