Plettenberg Bay is a holiday maker's paradise and the eco-tourist's dream. It is home to indigenous Cape flora, wetlands and lagoons, forests of unsurpassed beauty and sun bleached beaches. There are 27 common species of Ericas in this area and there are a vast number of other flowering species. Amongst the well known trees are the Yellowwood, Stinkwood and the Outeniqua Yellowwood.
Many activities keep you occupied for as long as you can stay. Spot Dolphins and Southern Right Whales or explore the Otter or Robberg trails in the area. When visiting the nearby pristine beaches remember to collect rare Pansy shells. You can also enjoy a guided cruise or a relaxing paddle up the Keurbooms River.
The warm Indian Ocean and the abundance of inland water surfaces offer endless opportunities for bathing, boating, water-skiing, surfing, windsurfing, angling, diving and bird watching. Bowls, tennis, horse riding and hiking are other popular forms of recreation along the Garden Route.
Whale Watching
The bay also acts as a nursery to the Southern Right Whale and they can be seen calving during July to December when these beautiful creatures come into the bay to calve and protect their young.
The Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena Australis) was harvested in this bay until 1916 when the annual counts were a mere 10 to 40 adult females. Today the total annual population along our coast is about 1700. Other whales often seen include the Brydes, Humpback, Minke and Killer (Orca) whales.
Outstanding whale watching facilities with ideal viewpoints along the coastline are offered which are easily accessible are:
Robberg Beach - Lookout Viewpoint - Robberg Island - Keurbooms Beach - Beacon Island - Nature's Valley Beach - Lookout Rocks - Storms River Mouth
Things to do
- Hazy, lazy sun drenched golden days on some of the finest beaches in the world! Safe beaches for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and sunbathing. Scuba and skin diving close to the beach.
- Boating and angling on the Keurbooms river.
- Deep sea fishing or catching the 'big one' off Robberg's rocks
- Canoe and Ferry trips up the Keurbooms River
- Two, eighteen hole golf courses within five minutes drive, several world class courses along the Garden Route.
- Black water tubing down the Storms River
- Horse riding, cycling and mountain biking tours in picturesque surroundings
- Scenic drives
- 4x4 off-road trails
- Nelson Bay Cave and Wild Waters Park.
- Glider trips
- Arts and crafts
- Enjoy scenic walks on the beaches, nature reserve and nearby forests. There is excellent birding at highly bio-diverse, recognised sites
- Guided tours around the Robberg Nature Reserve
- Hike the famous Otter and Tsitsikamma trails
- Bungi Jumping - 216m - the highest in the world!
Organised Trips and Day Outings
- Whale, Dolphin and Seal watching
- Monkeyland - home to an astonishing variety of primates in a pretty forest setting
- Birds of Eden - the world's largest single span aviary
- Elephant Park - the opportunity to touch an African elephant
- Raptors and much more