Plettenberg Bay

A chic resort town with panoramic views of the Indian ocean and Tsitsikamma Mountains. Plettenberg Bay pairs wide sandy beaches and whale-rich waters with cliff-top walks, forest escapes and an easy, sun-soaked rhythm.

Scroll for more

Overview

Plettenberg Bay holiday, Robberg Nature ReserveThe Portugueseย were onto something in 1497 when they namedย itย Bahia Formosa (beautiful bay).ย Today, Plettenberg Bay, or justย โ€˜Plettโ€™ is also known for its temperate climate, superb sandy beaches, waterย sportsย and the spectacularย Robberg Nature Reserve. It is immensely popular with South Africans at Christmas as one of the beach resorts of choice, with occasional sorties from the international polo jet-set crowd. But outside of the festive (Christmas) season it returns to being a charming and quiet seaside town, set along the infamous Garden Route.

Plett is definitely the place to visit if you are looking for all sorts of marine life. From its three beaches, you may be lucky to see the Southern Right Whales which come right into the bay to calve from July to November, with the peak season being September and October. Daily ocean safaris are on offer for boat-based whale-watching during that season. With marine cruises to enjoy the dolphins and seals in the summer months.

Plettenberg Bay is ideal if you want to spend time on the beach. But itโ€™s also a great base to explore the eastern side of the Garden Route such the Tsitsikamma National Park and the Crags. Stay at our favourite respites in Plett, the ever so popular The Plettenberg or The Old Rectory.

Horse-riding on Lookout beach at Plettenberg BayAs well as hotels and boutique lodges in Plettenberg Bay itself, there are some stunning hotels in rural areas nearby such as Tsala Treetop Lodge, and Hog Hollow at the Crags which is only 20km away. Plettenberg Bay offers an amazing mix of wild coastline and marine life with the laid-back coastal lifestyle. It definitely is the place where a morning on the beach leads you naturally into a long lunch at many of the beachside restaurants! Follow your delectable lunch with a quiet afternoon exploring the Keurbooms River or vibing out at the funky markets and shops along the Main Road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plettenberg-Bay-ocean-safari-whales-700When is the best time to visit Plettenberg Bay?
Beach lovers favour the warm summer months, while whale-watching peaks from July to October. In general, ย Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, fewer visitors and excellent walking conditions.

Is Plettenberg Bay suitable for families?
Yes, ย the beaches are expansive with generally gentle surf, many activities are family-friendly, and several hotels offer spacious family suites and some have exclusive-use villas perfect for multi-generational travel.

How do I get to Plettenberg Bay?
The nearest major airport is George, about 90 minutes away. Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is another option, roughly a 2ยฝ hour drive. Itโ€™s also easy to self-drive from Swellendam or Hermanus, or even Cape Town (though thatโ€™s a hefty 6-hour drive

Why We Love It

On The Map

Popular tours & safaris

View More

Accommodation

View More Accommodations

Download our Insiders Guide to Family Safaris

Family-friendly Destinations, types of Family accommodation, sample tours & useful tips & tricks Get our Free Family Safari guide
Find me the best in for

Experiences To Look Forward To

View More Experiences

Plettenberg Bay | A deeper dive

Introducing our Winter Offers for South Africa in 2026

Way back before Covid, we introduced our first ”Winter Offer”, which was went down very well. So since then we

READ MORE
Garden Route  Attractions:  20 Things to Do with Children

Keeping the Kids busy. . . The Garden Route has become a hive of activity in recent years. This article

READ MORE
Which is better – Knysna or Plettenberg Bay? Here’s the lowdown

Two Popular towns on the Garden Route – Which one is the best? Many of our clients visiting the Garden

READ MORE
READ MORE
staff image

Ginny Russell

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Ginny, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH