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“I heard an airplane overhead. I wished I was on it.”
Charles Bukowski
Wondering what to do in Plettenberg Bay? This guide sets out the best things to do in Plettenberg Bay. You’ll also find loads of useful tips to help you you thoroughly enjoy your visit to this scenic village.
If you’re mapping out your Garden Route itinerary, stopping by Plettenberg Bay for a few days is a huge must. The town packs the perfect mix of outdoor thrills, mind-blowing views, and oh-so-delicious food.
Although I highly recommend spending at least one week in Plett, this Plettenberg Bay itinerary can easily be adjusted to your traveling needs and style.
Before you start planning your Plettenberg Bay itinerary, there are a few things you should consider before visiting this scenic hillside town. Here are my top pre-travel tips for visiting Plettenberg Bay:
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This detailed guide stems from spending extended periods in Plett over the past few years. Since there are so many great things to keep you busy, here are all the must-dos when exploring South Africa’s premier beach destination.
If you’re looking for perfect golden-sand beaches, you’re in luck. Plett is revered for its gorgeous beaches, and you won’t need to go far to enjoy terrific beach vibes.
There are three beaches in Plett, all equally jaw-dropping. However, your choice is likely to be influenced by your personal beach preferences. Let’s have a quick look at Plett’s beaches:
Robberg Nature Reserve is only a short drive away from town and undeniable one of the best places to experience untouched nature. With rock formations dating back more than 120 million years, it’s no surprise Robberg is also a World Heritage Site.
Besides its evident beauty and unique geological history, Robberg Nature Reserve is also home to a flourishing plant and animal life. Most notably, the rare blue duiker and a thriving seal colony.
Several scenic hiking trails along the peninsula also allow a chance to get close to nature and spot dolphins, seals, and whales frolicking nearby.
The three circular hiking trails vary in length and difficulty, allowing you to really experience the beauty of this area at your own pace and skill level.
Those just looking for a gentle walkabout can explore the plateau, before heading to the beach. Just past the Gap, you’ll spot the wooden stairway leading to a beautiful secluded beach.
More serious hikers, on the other hand, may consider trekking the Witsand or The Point hikes. Both of these hikes are not for the faint-hearted, so be prepared to break a sweat. The Point hike takes about four hours and is the most challenging hike to complete.
Lookout Beach is home to gorgeous ocean views, great surf, and one of the best restaurants in town – The Lookout Deck. With a tantalizing food and cocktail menu, it’s the perfect spot to watch the waves come and go. While the menu caters to all kinds of pallets, you can’t go wrong with any of their seafood options!
The Lookout Deck can get crowded, so reserving a table during peak season is highly encouraged.
For jaw-dropping ocean views and a chance to spot dolphins and whales (in season) frolicking in the bay, be sure to head over to Whale Tail Lookout Point. There are a couple of benches where you can sit back, watch the waves come and go, spot surfers, or even enjoy a picnic. Although it’s pretty amazing all day long, I highly recommend visiting at sunset.
To get here, you can either drive to the end of Formosa Street, where you’ll find a big parking lot. Alternatively, access the viewpoint from the footpath which runs behind The Lookout Deck.
Beachyhead Drive, also locally known as ‘millionaire’s drive’, offers a scenic drive along the Robberg beach peninsula. Here you’ll find the crème de la crème of luxury homes.
Along the way, you’ll find many quick footpaths leading down to the beach, where you’re likely to have the beach all to yourself!
Within town and along the N2 between Knysna and Keurbooms, you’ll find quite a few quirky stalls to drop by. Whether your shopping for cute art pieces, home decor, designer clothing or delicious deli snacks – there’s something for everyone in Plett.
Some of my favorite road stalls to drop by include Thyme and Again, The Potter and Global Village.
One of the best places in Plettenberg Bay to experience the town’s laidback vibes is at Old Nick Village. Although the village might be best known for its beautiful gardens, galleries and artisan shops, it has quite a unique history too. The main building complex dates back to 1880, and once served as a general dealer in the area. Today, however, you can enjoy the stunning grounds, visit the artsy shops and even learn more about the weaving process at Mungo mill – a newly constructed space offering visitors a unique glimpse into the textile industry.
Near Plett, you’ll find several great wildlife sanctuaries where efforts are being made to protect South Africa’s unique animal life. Some of the most notable (and ethical) sanctuaries that you might want to consider adding to your list of things to do in Plettenberg Bay include Monkeyland, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Birds of Eden and the Elephant Sanctuary.
By joining one of their tours, you’ll have the chance to spot animals in their natural habitat and gain a wealth of knowledge. You’ll also be helping these establishments to continue efforts to protect wildlife.
While Plett is an excellent destination to visit year-round, it is not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day! Here’s a quick look at the best time to visit Plettenberg Bay.
During summer (Dec-Feb), expect gorgeous sunny days with some occasional rain. Temperatures may rise as high as 37°C, so remember to put on extra sun protection and stay hydrated. Summer is peak season in Plett, so expect the town to be brimming with tourists and higher accommodation prices, especially during the festive holidays. If you still want to enjoy gorgeous beach days sans the crowds, it’s best to come before the schools close (end Nov) or after the schools reopen (Jan).
In winter (Jun – Aug), you might still see some winter sun, but for most parts, it can be quite gloomy and cold. Rain isn’t uncommon during winter either. If you are visiting Plettenberg Bay during winter, pack plenty of layers and a warm coat. Temperatures generally average between 9 – 22°C.
Spring (Sep-Nov) or autumn (March-May) are excellent times to visit Plettenberg Bay. Expect fewer tourists, lower accommodation prices (excl. Easter holidays), and pleasant temperatures ranging from low to mid twenties. The evenings can, however, still be chilly, so remember to pack a light jacket.
Whale season runs from June to November, and chances are high to spot Humpback and Southern Right whales during this time. However, Bryde’s whales, and (if you’re fortunate), orcas, can be spotted year-round.
There is no shortage of fantastic accommodation options in Plettenberg Bay. Whether you’re looking to rent a house, traveling on a shoestring, or seeking luxury accommodation, Plett has something for everyone. Here are my top picks on Plettenberg Bay accommodation:
For its size, Plettenberg Bay surprisingly has a lot of choice when it comes to food. Seeing that Plett is a seaside village, expect to find seafood to be the star on most menus. Most restaurants in South Africa do, however, offer vegetarian options. If you are vegan, it’s still pretty easy to find excellent vegan-friendly restaurants in Plett.
While Plettenberg Bay is a fantastic destination to visit, it’s also a great place to base yourself for several day trips.
There are so many beautiful places to visit on the Garden Route. And, some of the popular day trips from Plettenberg Bay include stopping by Knysna and Wilderness. However, if you’re looking for laidback vibes, Keurbooms is an excellent choice. The village is a stone-throw from Plett and has gorgeous stretched out white sand beaches.
Nature seekers shouldn’t miss the chance to spend a day at the Garden Route’s best-kept secret – Nature’s Valley. While more adventurers travelers looking for the perfect mix of nature and outdoor thrills may choose to drop by Storms River Mouth.
That wraps up this guide on the best things to do in Plettenberg Bay. Have you visited Plett yet? What tips do you have for fellow travelers planning a Plettenberg Bay itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.
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