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Town in Western Cape, South Africa
Photo: Das grüne Monster, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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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 in the bay during 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.
The largest enclosed aviary in the world.
Goose Valley
A beautiful 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
First wine estate in the Plett area. The wines can be tasted at the estate's restaurant.
Ziplining over a valley just outside Plettenberg Bay.
Great place for breakfast, lunch or coffee.
Goose Valley Restaurant
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.
Chalets, log cabins and caravan park.
Holiday accommodation rental.
Offers holiday accommodation - beach villas, family holiday homes and apartments.
The Georgian-styled building is designed for spaciousness, reflecting the vast landscape surrounding it, without sacrificing its ambiance of intimacy. This is epitomized by the airy double-storeyed foyer, the large yet cosy restaurant, the private patios and balconies, and large breakfast and sundowner terrace, that afford spectacular views over the Indian Ocean, Keurbooms River Mouth, Keurbooms Lagoon and Tsitsikamma Mountains. Guesthouse and restaurant.
cheapest supermarket in town.
By coach
All major national coaches stop at the Shell garage on the N2 (1 km from the town centre).
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George · International · GRJ
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