Plettenberg Bay, often called “Plett” by locals, is one of the most charming and versatile places to visit on the Garden Route. When you check the things to do in Plettenberg Bay, seals, beautiful hikes, cozy farm shops, and expansive beaches immediately come to mind. We spent 1.5 weeks in Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area, so we got to see and do a ton. Check out our 18 tips below for activities, restaurants, and the best accommodations in Plettenberg Bay.
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The Best Things to Do in Plettenberg Bay
There’s so much to do in Plettenberg Bay. Below, we’ve listed all the options. Please note that some activities are seasonal; we’ll mention this when applicable.
Hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve
The number one activity in Plettenberg Bay is, without a doubt, hiking in the Robberg Nature Reserve. The name Robberg comes from the more than 8,000 Cape fur seals that can always be found here. Taking a walk through this beautiful area while enjoying views of the seals is therefore a must-do.
There are three hiking trails in the Robberg Nature Reserve, all of which start and end at the same point. The shortest trail is 2.1 kilometers, the medium-length one is 5.5 kilometers, and the longest is 9 kilometers. Keep in mind that you’ll have to walk through loose sand in some sections and, especially on the longest trail, there will be some uphill and downhill sections. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful hike that’s worth every drop of sweat. Admission is the equivalent of €4, but free with the Wildcard. Read all our tips for hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve here, with more details about the different trails.
Swimming with Seals in Plettenberg
Swimming with seals had been on our bucket list for a while, and since there are over 8,000 seals in Plettenberg Bay, this is by far the best choice. You’ll take a rubber boat to the Robberg Nature Reserve to snorkel with these playful creatures. It’s a truly special experience, but also a little nerve-wracking.
You’ll be given a wetsuit and an extra anti-bite layer to wear underneath it. This is because some seals carry rabies and may give playful little bites. In addition, the seals often swim with their mouths wide open, which can look quite frightening. We really felt good about this organization, though, because they keep a close eye on the animals’ behavior and take action accordingly. For example, we sailed to a different spot partway through the tour because the seals that were approaching us were still too young to swim with.
Kayaking Among the Seals
Finally, you can also choose to head out to sea in a kayak and paddle to Robberg on your own. It’s quite a distance, so make sure you have enough energy to complete the trip. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins—and from June through November, whales! Choose this guided kayaking tour for a fantastic time on the water.
Whale Watching in Plettenberg
Hermanus is by far the best place to spot whales in South Africa, but you can actually see them all along the Garden Route. Whale watching in Plettenberg Bay takes place between June and November, when you have a chance to see humpback whales and southern right whales. It’s a unique experience to admire these giants from the boat. We went on a trip with this organization and can’t recommend it highly enough. The guides share lots of interesting facts, you’re on a great boat, and the adrenaline really gets pumping. It also has a nice, intimate feel to it.
Canyoning in Plettenberg Bay
You’ll get a real adrenaline rush while canyoning in Plettenberg. Abseiling down waterfalls, jumping off rocks, and swimming through the beautiful gorge—it’s an insanely cool activity. You do need to be somewhat athletic to go canyoning. The activity takes about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the group size. Check availability and current prices starting at €45 here.
Monkeyland: Monkey Spotting in Plettenberg Bay
Monkeyland is part of the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA), making it a sustainable, ethical attraction. At Monkeyland, you’ll find about 10 different species of monkeys that have been rescued from zoos, circuses, or the illegal animal trade. The sanctuary also takes in animals that were used in film productions, such as the monkey from the movie *The Hangover*. These animals can no longer be released back into the wild and would otherwise die.
So Monkeyland takes in these monkeys. You can only visit Monkeyland with a guide. A guided tour starts about every half hour, during which the guide takes you on a one-hour walk through the park while chatting away about the animals. You’ll see how they’re rehabilitated, how they interact with each other, and how they’re returning to their natural state.
Birds of Eden
Next to Monkeyland is Birds of Eden. This facility is also part of SAASA and takes in neglected animals as well. Birds that were once kept as pets, confined to small cages, or ended up in the illegal pet trade are cared for here. We secretly found Birds of Eden even more impressive than Monkeyland because of the beautiful surroundings, which have been completely transformed into a tropical rainforest. You can buy a combo ticket to visit both Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll easily spend 2.5 hours at both parks, so it’s best to go before 2:00 p.m.
Wildlife sanctuaries in Plettenberg Bay
In addition to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden, there are several wildlife sanctuaries in Plettenberg Bay. The two mentioned above are members of SAASA. There are many more wildlife sanctuaries you can visit in Plettenberg, but based on the photos and reviews, we got the impression that these were not ethical, which is why we did not visit them ourselves. We recommend that you avoid visiting them as well.
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary: You can see big cats here. Unfortunately, they are locked up in small cages and don’t look well or healthy in the photos.
- The same applies to Raptor Rescue Plett, which provides shelter for birds of prey.
- Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary. Here you can pet wolves, which is never recommended with wild animals.
- Knysna Elephant Park. Here, you can feed the elephants and go for walks with them—which isn’t really the point, since you’re not supposed to get that close to wild animals.
- Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary. You’re allowed to touch and hold the reptiles here every time, which, in our opinion, isn’t right for these animals.
Markets in Plettenberg Bay
One thing you really must do in Plettenberg Bay is visit one of the many charming markets and farm stands. Here, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee with pastries, good food, or homemade products.
Market Off Main
A market right in the heart of Plettenberg Bay that’s open every day—whoever came up with this idea really nailed it. Market Off Main in Plettenberg is such a wonderful place! You can go there for lunch, dinner, or just a drink at sunset. The food is absolutely delicious (after much deliberation, the bao buns and sushi are our favorites).
Old Nick Village / Nice Neighbour Café
The Old Nick Village complex is beautifully maintained and a must-visit in Plettenberg Bay. Here you’ll find a variety of artisan shops, offering everything from handmade soap to art and chocolate. The Nice Neighbor Café is also highly recommended for breakfast or lunch. It’s also a great spot for digital nomads, as it’s laptop-friendly and the Wi-Fi is very strong.
Every Wednesday morning between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the Midweek Market takes place here, where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruit, and local products from farmers in the area.
Harkerville Saturday Market
A 10-minute drive from Plettenberg is the Harkerville Saturday Market. As the name suggests, it’s only open on Saturdays and usually closes at 12:00. It’s a fun market with delicious food, drinks, and beautiful art. There’s even a Dutch Corner where you can get bitterballen and poffertjes, but these weren’t the best we’ve ever tasted.
Wild Oats Community Farmers Market
The Wild Oats Community Farmers Market is a true institution in Plettenberg and the surrounding area. This market is also open only on Saturdays and is located in the village of Sedgefield, a 3-quarter-hour drive from Plettenberg. If you happen to be driving from Plettenberg Bay to Knysna or Wilderness on a Saturday, you can easily stop by this market. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Thyme and Again Farmstall
Another charming farmstall on the side of the road leading to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. Stop by in the morning to enjoy coffee with breakfast or pastries, and then continue on to the attractions. Thyme and Again Farmstall is a wonderful place to relax and unwind.
Beaches in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg also has kilometers of beaches. The best-known and most beautiful beaches are Lookout Beach, Central Beach, and Keurboomstrand.
Central Beach
This beach is the closest to downtown and is therefore the busiest beach in Plettenberg. You can grab a bite to eat right on the beach at Moby’s. There’s a large parking lot at Central Beach, but because it’s a busy beach and the swimming-with-seals tours also depart from here, the parking spots are often all taken by around 11:00 a.m. There are parking attendants to watch over your car.
Lookout Beach / The Lookout Deck
Lookout Beach is our favorite beach in Plettenberg Bay. It’s nice and quiet, incredibly wide, and has great waves for swimming. The Lookout Deck is the restaurant right on the beach where you can enjoy a drink, have lunch, or dine. Parking can sometimes be scarce at Lookout Beach, so be sure to arrive early. There are parking attendants on hand to watch over your car.
Keurboom Beach
Keurboom Beach is a bit further from the city center and is therefore even quieter. I highly recommend having pizza at Enrico Ristorante while watching the sunset.
Wine Tasting in Plettenberg Bay
Although Plettenberg Bay isn’t considered a true wine region like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, you can still enjoy some great wine tastings here. There are several wine estates in Plettenberg that you can visit, such as Bramon Wine Estate, Kay & Monty Vineyards, Plettenvale, and Newstead Wine Estate.
Things to Do in the Plettenberg Bay Area
Below, we’ve listed a few more things to do in Plettenberg that are a bit further away and that you could visit on a day trip. Personally, we’d recommend staying overnight at these places so you can really experience them and stay longer. After all, these places are all located on the Garden Route.
Visit Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park is about an hour’s drive east of Plettenberg Bay. It’s a beautiful nature reserve where you can go hiking, tubing, kayaking, mountain biking, ATV riding, and much more. We therefore recommend spending at least two full days in Tsitsikamma. Read all about the things to do in Tsitsikamma National Park here.
Nature’s Valley
On the way from Plettenberg to Tsitsikamma, you’ll pass through Nature’s Valley. It’s definitely worth taking a 15-minute detour here, because the tranquility of this stunning nature reserve is something you don’t often get to experience. The Farmstall Nature’s Way is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch with a delicious pastry.
In Nature’s Valley, you can hike along the Salt River Hiking Trail or enjoy a refreshing dip in Nature’s Valley Lagoon. If you don’t have time for that, it’s still worth driving through Nature’s Valley—the drive itself is beautiful.
Bungee Jumping at Bloukrans
A little further than Nature’s Valley, you’ll find the Bloukrans Bridge. This is the highest arch bridge in Africa and the highest bungee jump site in the world. Not afraid of heights? Then this is a must-do in South Africa. It’s best to book the bungee jump online in advance to ensure you can go during your time slot.
Even if you don’t want to go bungee jumping, it’s worth stopping here for a bit. There’s a nice little café here with a great view of the bridge. Every 15 minutes, you’ll see someone jump off, and you’ll hold your breath. You can’t stop on the bridge itself—it’s “just” a highway. So you really have to go to the little café to take a picture and watch the bungee jumpers.
Day Trip to Knysna
All of the recommendations above were east of Plettenberg; Knysna is to the west. In Knysna, you can visit the Knysna Heads, a beautiful viewpoint. You can visit Thesen Island, which has several nice restaurants and offers a variety of fun activities to book. We went wakeboarding and water skiing at Thesen Island—we highly recommend it.
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