Plettenberg Bay

Travel Guide

Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay

Sandy beaches, majestic wildlife and scenic walking trails make Plettenberg Bay one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route.

Plettenberg Bay offers everything that makes the Garden Route one of South Africa’s most exciting regions. Stay in “Plett” to experience lazy days on golden beaches or up-close encounters with whales and dolphins. Hike through breathtaking coastal scenery and enjoy family-friendly activities in this charming coastal town.

Walk through a town that has been occupied since the Stone Age. The Khoi people lived around the bay and left traces of the earliest stages of humanity. Portuguese explorers landed here in the 15th century, while farmers and frontiersmen settled here permanently in 1763.

Today, tourism is the main industry and people flock to Plett for its combination of sun, sand and sea. Experience all three of these on Central Beach, where you can choose between working on your tan or taking surfing and wakeboarding lessons on the ocean.

Head out onto the waters as part of a wildlife-watching trip. The Robberg Peninsula protects the waters of the bay from the harshest elements, so sea creatures like to swim in the balmy waters here. The bay has a resident colony of Bryde’s whales, while southern right whales visit the waters seasonally. Bring binoculars to spot cape fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and even orcas.

Take your children to Plett Puzzle Park, which is filled with brain-teasing games. Walk along the Plett Trail to see the fynbos, an area of biodiverse shrubland. Hundreds of different bird species fly in the skies above.

Sip on a glass of pinotage in the Plett Winelands. The hills outside Plettenberg Bay are covered in vineyards that produce critically acclaimed wine. Go on a tasting tour to sample several different vintages.

Fly into Plettenberg Bay Airport for quick access to the town. Flights arrive here from JohannesburgOpens in a new window and Cape TownOpens in a new window.

Plettenberg Bay offers different experiences at different times of the year. Visit in the peak season summer months between December and February for blazing sunlight and good surfing. Winter and spring, from June to October, are the best seasons for whale watching, while autumn brings the riches of wine harvesting.

Where to stay in Plettenberg Bay

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Robberg Beach

5/5(1 area review)

Beaches and restaurants are some things travellers note about Robberg Beach. Check out Robberg Nature Reserve or Plettenberg Bay Beach while you're familiarising yourself with the larger area.

Robberg Beach
Sky Villa Boutique Hotel by Raw Africa Collection
Sky Villa Boutique Hotel by Raw Africa Collection
5 out of 5
27 Baron's View Estate, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
The price is S$154 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
S$154
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions St Peters Anglican Church and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (92 reviews)
"This place is an absolute gem! My husband and I truly enjoyed this venue for our last few days in Plettenburg Baii! The venue is absolutely beautiful but I can say that this place wouldn’t be as beautiful as it was without the great staff. The service given was superb and it truly felt like home ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jan, 2025

Sky Villa Boutique Hotel by Raw Africa Collection
The Plettenberg Hotel
The Plettenberg Hotel
5 out of 5
40 Church Street, Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions St Peters Anglican Church and Old ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (147 reviews)
Beautiful views and great service.
"Wish we had been able to stay another night as we loved this place so much. It's in such a beautiful spot with spectacular views over the bay. Reception staff were all so friendly and welcoming and we had a fantastic dinner in the on-site restaurant that night with great customer service too. Worth ..."

Reviewed on 7 May, 2025

The Plettenberg Hotel
Formosa Bay
Formosa Bay
3 out of 5
N2 National Road, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
The price is S$77 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
S$77
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Plett Puzzle Park and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (90 reviews)
"A hotel very much aimed at families, however the walls are so thin you can hear those families, and tv’s and snoring coming from next door and across the hall. Luckily it quietened down before midnight. For couples the B&B offer may not provide the quiet we were looking for depending on your neighbours. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Apr, 2025

Formosa Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Plett Quarter Apartments
Plett Quarter Apartments
4 out of 5
Main Street, 9, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions St Peters Anglican Church and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
Fabulous PLACE to stay
"What a wonderful place this is.We had an apartment 206.Fully equipped with everything we needed.A beautiful view .Lovely views around the bar near the swimming pool.The staff here were excellent,nothing was too much trouble,The restaurant food is excellent and very resonably priced.SISSY IN THE RESTAURANT ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar, 2025

Plett Quarter Apartments
Sunrise Bay Self-Catering Accommodation
Sunrise Bay Self-Catering Accommodation
4 out of 5
5 Dorethea Avenue, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Stay at this 4-star vacation home in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions St Peters Anglican Church and ...
"Nice property and staff."

Reviewed on 29 Feb, 2024

Sunrise Bay Self-Catering Accommodation
Lismore Villa
Lismore Villa
3 out of 5
Corner Lismore and Eddystone Road, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Stay at this 3-star villa in Plettenberg Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Plettenberg Bay Beach and Van Plettenberg ...
Lismore Villa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Plettenberg Bay

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
10
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great coastal town. Not too many indoor activities if the weather turns but highly recommend the Knysna Elephant Park and a hiking trail around Robberg Island. Clean, friendly town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place to stay with fabulous opportunities to view nature at its best. Great restaurants too

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Small town but very pleasant and enough shops. Felt safe compared to other places visited.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely beach with good whale watching (though we didn’t see a whale on our trip ☹️). Ate at the Lookout Deck which had stunning views.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Well worth a visit!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Didn't quite live up to expectations.