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town in the Western Cape, South Africa
Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Western Cape > Garden Route > Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay (or Plett) is a small coastal resort in South Africa's Western Cape. It's a good stop off point for the Garden Route if you're looking to be closer to the beach than nearby Knysna.

Get in

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By car

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View of the Beach

Plett is on the N2, 240 km from Port Elizabeth, 520 km from Cape Town and 35 km from Knysna.

By coach

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All major national coaches stop at the Shell garage on the N2 (1 km from the town centre).

The Baz bus comes into the town centre.

  • you can get a Minivan taxi to/from Knysna R25.

Get around

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Map
Map of Plettenberg Bay
View over the bay from Beacon Isle
  • 1 Robberg Nature and Marine Reserve. A 4-km long peninsula south east of Plett. It acts as a speed bump to the sea life that migrates up and down the coast. There is a huge Cape Fur seal colony at the foot of the peninsula in the bay, and whales are often seen during in the bay in the whale migration season. Great Whites have been seen in the bay around the time when seal pups are young. There's also a colony of penguins that are here part of the year. There are shorter 30-minute and 2-hour hikes, as well as a more strenuous 4-hour hike around the entire peninsula. (updated Jan 2023)
  • 1 Birds of Eden (at Monkeyland, The Crags, 16 km outside Plett, east along the N2), ☏ +27 44 534-8906, fax: +27 44 534-8907, . The largest enclosed aviary in the world. Birds of Eden (Q4916093) on Wikidata Birds of Eden on Wikipedia 
  • Dolphin Adventures, . 
  • Goose Valley Golf Estate (Goose Valley) (N2 Motoway Plett, just outside Plett, towards Port Elizabeth), ☏ +27 44 533-5082. A beautiful 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player. 
  • Ocean Blue Adventures. Doing a 1½-hour sea safari is an excellent way to get up close and see the sea life in the bay. With close encounter permits, they are allowed up close to the sea life. Most trips see some dolphins, seals are always seen, but shark and whale sightings are obviously seasonal. 
  • 2 Ocean Safaris, ☏ +27 82 784-5729, . Holds a permit to conduct close encounters with the marine life in the bay and is "fair trade in tourism" and Green Ticket-certified. Owner run company with a passion for the ocean. Sightings are great all year round with official season from July-December when we sight both southern right and humpback whales. They sight Brydes whales throughout the year with sightings being the most prolific during the summer months. Dolphins frequent the bay on almost a daily basis and sightings include: the playful bottlenose, energetic commons, and the endangered humpbacked dolphins. (updated Jan 2023)
  • Parks & Hiking Trails. The Plettenberg Bay region is surely home to one of the finest collections of hiking trails in the world. This is where the coastal platform narrows on the Garden Route, bringing the mountains near to the sea. Deep and ancient river gorges; evergreen forests; colourful fynbos and a spectacular stretch of coastline provide the ideal location for hiking enthusiasts. There is a large variety of walks in this region ranging from under an hour to six days in duration. 
  • Surfing and Bodyboarding. Plettenberg Bay contains some excellent surf spots, including Plett Wedge, Lookout Beach, Keurbooms and The Wreck. You may even see some dolphins on the waves with you, and perhaps even a shark or two as well. 
  • Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours, Darnell Street Stormsriver 6308, ☏ +27 42 281-1836. Enjoy the unequalled beauty of the indigenous forest high up on ten treetop platforms. Gently glide along in a harness, on steel cables 30 m above the forest floor. Birdlife is abundant (including Knysna Loeries and the elusive Narina Trojan), and your guides will explain the ecology of the lush primeval forest. Safety is paramount, and the system has been built to the highest civil engineering standards. Guides are fully-trained professionals. R495 per person. 
  • 3 Monkeyland (from Plettenberg Bay, continue past Keurboomstrand on to The Crags; you will notice a Monkeyland sign on the N2, near the BP Garage (the garage is also known as the Garden Route Superrette); take the turn-off (on the right) at this BP Garage and follow the Monkeyland signs for a further 2 km; it is 2 km off the N2, and the tarred road is well signed), ☏ +27 44 534-8906, . 8AM to 5PM. Monkeyland is the world's first free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary. Monkeyland has, as one of its aims, to create awareness about the plight of primates and to show that with a greater understanding of our primate cousins, that we can all live in harmony. Single ticket: from R230 (adult), R115 (child 3/12years). Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary (Q20981764) on Wikidata Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary on Wikipedia 
  • Bramon Wine Estate, ☏ +27 44 534 8007, . First wine estate in the Plett area. The wines can be tasted at the estate's restaurant. (updated Jun 2018)
  • Plett Zipline, ☏ +27 73 723-8033, . Tu-Su 7:30AM-4PM. Ziplining over a valley just outside Plettenberg Bay. R550. (updated Jan 2020)

Plettenberg Bay has a number of unique shops with talented and creative designers.

Centres include:

  • The Market Square which is the largest and hosts Pick n Pay, Woolworths and a number of other chainstores.
  • Mellvilles Centre hosts the Spar, a charity shop, PNA and a great little coffee shop amongst others.
  • Milkwood Centre: on Central Beach and is home to Ocean Safaris holder of one of a few close encounter whale watching permits, Dolphin Adventures Sea kayaking, The Yellow wood Spur, Fat Fish Seafood Restaurant, Live Green wholesome fresh food, and a beach hire and sales shop. A great addition to this centre is the newly opened Plett Beachfront accommodation which is the closest you will get to the sea on central beach with great prices.
  • Liv Green: Situated in Milkwood Centre on Central Beach.
  • Shoprite, The Square mall (city centre). 8am-8pm. cheapest supermarket in town. (updated Jun 2023)

Drink

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  • Flashbacks on the main road, good lively bar, especially during Matric Rage.
  • VIP - Vegas in Plett, is a club just outside the town. Great night out!
  • The Clubhouse Restaurant (Goose Valley Restaurant), The Clubhouse @ Goose Valley Golf Estate (Just outside Plett, East on the N2), ☏ +27 44 533-0889. 7AM-late. Lovely golf club dining, varied menu with weekly specials. Dinner in the evenings is by booking only and they Cater for functions including weddings, and golf days. 

Sleep

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Go next

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This city travel guide to Plettenberg Bay is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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