Plettenberg Bay in South Africa is located directly along the popular Garden Route and awaits you not only with beautiful beaches, but also with cool excursion destinations and activities, top restaurants, and cozy cafés. Plettenberg Bay (also known as “Plett” by South Africans) is generally a very popular holiday resort right by the sea and boasts over 2,800 hours of sunshine per year.
If you’re planning a trip along the Garden Route in South Africa, we highly recommend planning a stop in Plettenberg Bay. The surrounding area is diverse and offers plenty of adventure. In the following article, we reveal the best sights in Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area.
- General information about Plettenberg Bay in South Africa
- Sights in Plettenberg Bay
- Beaches around Plettenberg Bay
- Great viewpoints
- Activities in Plettenberg Bay
- Beautiful hotels & lodges in Plettenberg Bay
- Excursions from Plettenberg Bay
- Best time to travel to Plettenberg Bay
- Short FAQ
General information about Plettenberg Bay in South Africa
Plettenberg Bay is sure to be included in the itinerary of many South Africa holidaymakers. The coastal town is located between Knysna and the Tsitsikamma National Park and is therefore an excellent stopover during a tour along the Garden Route in South Africa. It is just under 525 km from Cape Town and 231 km from Port Elizabeth. The population is estimated at around 61,000.
That sounds like a lot, but the town itself isn’t that big. The town center is very compact and consists of just one long street, which is of interest to most tourists. Particularly noteworthy are the beautiful beaches around Plett and the diverse opportunities for outdoor activities (hiking, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling, and much more).
Sights in Plettenberg Bay
On the map below, we’ve marked all the important Plettenberg Bay highlights and spots for you. There are certainly other places, but even we don’t know every little corner. However, our map should be sufficient for a first overview. We recommend at least 3 to 4 full days for Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area.
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Getting around Main Street
As already mentioned, the center of Plettenberg Bay isn’t particularly large. Most of the shops, restaurants, and cafés are spread along Main Street. Here you can stroll leisurely during the day and enjoy some excellent food. You’ll find some cool surf shops, home decor shops, boutiques, supermarkets, a bakery, pharmacies, bookstores, and even banks. There are also some really hip cafés and restaurants lined up here.
Restaurants & Cafés
Le Fournil De Plett Bakery and Café: Super cute café in the backyard with good coffee and fresh baked goods. You can also have a great breakfast here.
The Bean: Good coffee and delicious snacks can be found at The Bean. This small café is located on a side street right behind Le Fournil De Plett Bakery.
Adi’s Kitchen: Popular Mediterranean restaurant in the Bayview Hotel. Here you can find incredibly delicious cheesecake, fish & chips, grilled meats, and much more.
Nineteen 89: Nineteen 89 is also very popular. Here you can get fresh salad bowls, burgers, sandwiches, cakes, milkshakes, and much more. Unfortunately, it’s right on the street, so it’s a bit noisy.
Eleven Plett: If you’re in the mood for a delicious coffee, Eleven Plett is the perfect place for you. They also offer cakes and other pastries. The flat white is highly recommended!
The Fat Fish: Down by the sea is the popular restaurant The Fat Fish. We ate here in the evening and can only recommend this restaurant. Super delicious fish dishes! It’s best to make a reservation in advance, though!
Ristorante Enrico: Pizzeria Enrico, which is located right on the beach, is extremely popular. This establishment was recommended to us most often by locals and our readers.
Emily Moon: One of the best restaurants in the area! This beautiful accommodation also houses a restaurant that serves excellent food in a great atmosphere.
Old Nick Village
Built in 1880, Old Nick Village is a really cool day trip destination in Plettenberg Bay. It is located about 5 km outside the city center. There, you’ll find various creative designers selling their products in small shops. Among other things, you’ll find soaps, clothing, chocolate, fabrics, flowers, ceramics, shoes, and much more. Of course, you’ll also find on-site dining options.
Every Wednesday the Midweek Market takes place in Old Nick Village, where you can buy fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products and other local products. A tour of the Mungo Mill, where quality fabrics are produced from the initial design to the final product, is also very interesting.
- Address: N2, 3 km east of Plett, Plettenberg Bay
- Opening hours: daily 9 am to 5 pm
- Admission prices: free
Robberg Nature Reserve
For us, the Robberg Nature Reserve is definitely one of the top highlights in Plettenberg Bay. The peninsula is approximately 3.5 km long and almost 800 meters wide at its widest point. It awaits you with spectacular views, beautiful beaches, and a huge seal colony. Here you should definitely take one of the three great circular hikes. You can find all the details about the nature reserve and the individual hikes here: The Robberg Nature Reserve in South Africa.
Plett Wine Route
How about a good glass of wine or gin? The so-called “Plett Wine Route” stretches from the Garden of Eden in the west (between Knysna and Plett) to The Crags in the east (on the road to Port Elizabeth). On this route, you’ll pass several wineries, great restaurants, and lovely accommodations. There are currently 18 wine farms in the Plett Winelands, including the following wineries:
- Plettenvale
- Packwood
- De Villo
- Bitou
- That Wine
- Bramon
Beaches around Plettenberg Bay
In 2020, Plettenberg Bay won the title of “Africa’s Leading Beach” at the World Travel Awards. No wonder, because the 35 km long coastline is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa, some of which have even been awarded the “Blue Flag” (e.g. Robberg 5, Keurboomstrand, The Dunes Beach, Lookout Beach, etc.).
Whether lazing around, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, diving, bodyboarding, or walking – there’s never a dull moment on the beaches around Plett. The underwater world around Plettenberg Bay is also home to fish, stingrays, dolphins, seals, sharks, whales, and occasionally even the occasional octopus.
The 5 most beautiful beaches
Robberg Beach: This beach is popular for long walks and stretches for miles between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island. Facilities include public toilets, a wheelchair ramp, and several parking areas.
Robberg 5: Located in the central area of Robberg Beach, this beach is popular for surfing and bodyboarding. Facilities include public toilets, wheelchair access, and a car park.
Central Beach: Central Beach is lively and a good starting point for marine safaris, diving, and kayaking trips. Restaurants, bars, and public toilets are on site. Lifeguards are on duty in season.
Lookout Beach: It used to be the most famous beach in the area, but was washed away in floods in 2007. The beach is popular for long walks along the ocean from the Lookout car park to the river mouth, and then along the Keurbooms River back to the car park. Lifeguards are on duty in season. You’ll also find restaurants, bars, public restrooms, wheelchair access, and a few parking spaces on site.
Keurboomstrand: North of the city center, Keurboomstrand stretches for several kilometers. This beach is a bit wilder but also beautiful. Lifeguards are on duty during the season. On site you will find a restaurant, public restrooms, wheelchair access and ample parking.
Great viewpoints
Activities in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay in South Africa is an Eldorado for active vacationers. In addition to adventurous activities such as abseiling, canyoning, kloofing, paragliding, or ziplining, you can also go diving and snorkeling around Plett, go kayaking, or fly by helicopter. The selection of activities is huge. We’ve selected the most popular tours for you.
Swimming with Seals
On this tour, you’ll travel by boat to the Robberg Peninsula, home to over 8,000 seals. Jump into the water with a guide and experience the seals up close. Photos included.
Book your tour here*
Whale Watching Boat Tour
Want to experience the giants of the ocean up close? This 2-hour boat tour travels along the coast in search of whales. Water, snacks, and life jackets are included.
Book your tour here*
Guided Sea Kayak Tour
On this tour, you’ll discover the fascinating coastline with views of the Tsitsijkamma Mountains and the Robberg Nature Reserve. With a bit of luck, you might see seals, dolphins, and even whales.
Book your tour here*
Bungee Jumping with Zipline
Craving for an adrenaline rush? This tour takes you to the Bloukrans Bridge, where you can do the world’s highest bridge bungee jump. The view is unique! We tried it ourselves!
Book your tour here*
Canyoning Tour
This canyoning tour includes climbing, swimming, running, and abseiling. Enjoy the spectacular landscape and look forward to a real adventure.
Book a tour here*
Other offers:
- Learn to surf in Plettenberg Bay*
- Tree Top Canopy Tour and Zipline in Knysna*
- eBike tours from Plettenberg Bay*
- Guided reef snorkeling*
Beautiful hotels & lodges in Plettenberg Bay
Looking for nice accommodation in Plettenberg Bay? You’ll be spoiled for choice, as there are truly many unique hotels and lodges in the area. We’ve picked out the most beautiful accommodations in Plettenberg Bay for you:
Christiana Lodge
This stylish 4-star lodge in Plettenberg Bay awaits you with spacious and modern rooms, a pool, and a great breakfast location. A delicious breakfast with a wide selection is served in the morning. The beach is only a few minutes away.
Tsala Treetop Lodge
These beautiful tree houses are located in the middle of a forest near Plettenberg Bay. Look forward to a private outdoor terrace with a small infinity pool, a living room with a fireplace, a bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, and much more.
Ocean Watch Guest House
This guest house is just 10 minutes from the beach and features a lovely sun terrace with loungers and an outdoor pool with sea views. Previous guests particularly praise the magnificent view.
Barrington’s
This property is located less than 1 km from Central Beach and features a garden, a terrace, a restaurant, a brewery, and modern rooms with air conditioning, a TV, and a balcony. An incredibly delicious breakfast is served every morning.
Emily Moon River Lodge
Want something truly special? The Emily Moon River Lodge awaits you with individually furnished lodges surrounded by lush nature. The lodges feature a large balcony, a private bathroom, a fireplace, a minibar, a seating area, and a TV. The in-house restaurant serves excellent cuisine.
The Bungalow
This property enjoys a perfect location on Central Beach. It offers modern accommodations with a terrace, an outdoor pool, and a veranda. Some rooms and villas offer sea views. The outdoor area with its fire pit and cozy seating areas is particularly beautiful.
Excursions from Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is located directly along the Garden Route in South Africa and is an excellent starting point for exploring the many beautiful places in the surrounding area. In the following section, we’ll introduce you to a few worthwhile destinations.
Distances from Plettenberg Bay:
- Mossel Bay: 141 kilometers
- Wilderness: 80 kilometers
- Knysna: 34 kilometers
- Nature’s Valley: 36 kilometers
- Tsitsikamma National Park: 68 kilometers
- Jeffreys Bay: 166 kilometers
Wilderness
The small town of Wilderness is located directly on the sea and is just 90 minutes from Plett. In addition to an endless beach and the stunningly beautiful Indian Ocean, a diverse national park with lush forests awaits you here. Wilderness offers a wide range of outdoor activities as well as beautiful accommodations.
Lagoon Town of Knysna
We love Knysna! This charming coastal town is just a short drive from Plettenberg Bay and is known for its picturesque lagoon, the Knysna Heads, and the surrounding forests. You can take a boat trip on the lagoon, visit local markets, and enjoy the excellent regional cuisine. On our last trip, we went on a great boat tour and saw countless dolphins and seals. This was definitely one of our highlights.
Nature’s Valley
Just a stone’s throw from the Tsitsikamma National Park lies the idyllic holiday resort of Nature’s Valley. This place boasts a direct seafront location and a beautiful, expansive beach. After a long stroll along the beach, stop off at the Blue Rocks Café. The menu includes fish and meat dishes, curries, milkshakes, and much more.
Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve
About a half-hour drive from Plettenberg Bay lies the impressive Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can hike through dense forest, stroll along spectacular coastal cliffs, and cross the popular suspension bridges. Kayaking tours and zipline adventures* are also offered. The hike to the waterfall is recommended, as the Tweeriviere River plunges almost 50 meters there. You should plan on about 2.5 hours for the round trip.
Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
Want to experience a bit of a safari feeling? Then head to the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve. This reserve is home to zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, wildebeest, eland, and hippos, among others. Three game drives are offered daily at different times. These drives last 2 hours. By the way, children under 4 years old are also allowed to take part in the tours.
- Address: Uplands Road, Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
- Opening times: Game drives at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 3 p.m.
- Prices: Adults 890 Rand, children 445 Rand
- Tickets: Can be booked online in advance*
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Best time to visit Plettenberg Bay
The best time to visit Plettenberg Bay in South Africa is usually during the South African summer months from November to March. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities and beach visits.
Temperatures typically range between 23°C and 30°C. This is peak season, and there are significantly more visitors. We were last in Plettenberg Bay in January and found it neither overcrowded nor uncomfortably busy. It was very quiet and relaxed.
If you prefer fewer visitors, spring (September to November) or autumn (March to May) could be good alternatives, as the weather is still pleasant but there are fewer tourists. Winter (June to August) is the low season, and temperatures range between 16°C and 20°C.
Short FAQ
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