Other areas in Western Cape:

Plettenberg Bay Albertinia Arniston Beaufort West Bergvleit Bettys Bay Bishopscourt Bloubergstrand Boulders Beach Breedekloof Caledon Camps Bay Cape Agulhas Cape Peninsula Cape Town Cape Winelands - Wine Routes Cederberg Ceres Clanwilliam Clifton Constantia Dana Bay Darling De Hoop Nature Reserve Durbanville Elandsbaai False Bay Franschhoek Gansbaai Garden Route George Gouritsmond Green Point Greyton Heidelberg Hermanus Herolds Bay Hout Bay Kalk Bay Karoo National Park Kenilworth Keurboomstrand Kleinmond Knysna Kommetjie Lamberts Bay Langebaan Loerie Malmesbury Montagu Moorreesburg Mossel Bay Mowbray Muizenberg Newlands Noordhoek Oudtshoorn Overberg Paarl Plettenberg Bay Prince Albert Pringle Bay Redelinghuys Riebeek Kasteel Riversdale Robertson Route 62 Saldanha Sandringham Sedgefield Simons Town Somerset West Stellenbosch Still Bay Struisbaai Swartberg Pass Swellendam Table Mountain Tsitsikamma Tulbagh Velddrif Vleesbaai Wellington West Coast Wilderness Witsand Worcester Yzerfontein

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Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape

Plettenberg Bay Accommodation

Plettenberg Bay is situated along the Garden Route and is hugely popular with visitors throughout the year but especially around the Christmas season. This area has become increasingly popular over the last few years with visitors being attracted by the miles of sweeping golden sandy beaches, rocky peninsula and wonderful climate. This area is quite upmarket with some nice bars where you can sip champagne and watch the sunset. During peak season such as the Christmas holidays accommodation is quite expensive so you may want to avod this time of year. If you are looking for slightly cheaper accommodation near Plett then head to Keurboomstrand or Keurbooms just 14km away and right on the coast.

Plettenberg Bay is home to a variety of schools of dolphins  including pods of endangered Bottle-nosed dolphins and the shy Humpback dolphins. The bay is also the only place in the world where scientists have seen the rare Tropical Beaked Whale and were even lucky enough to catch the event on film.

There are some fabulous spots here to look out across the vast Indian Ocean. There are three main beaches here - Robberg, Central and Lookout. Of these, Lookout is probably the most appealing but they are all excellent for swimming and perfect for families. With over 300 days of sunshine a year Plettenberg has been compared to Monaco by some with its setting and delightful cuisine on offer.

There really is something for everyone to do from Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, Mountain Biking, Canopy Tours to Whale Watching, Diving or perhaps just a gentle boat cruise. For the keen fisherman amongst you there is some excellent deep sea fishing to be had here. If you like playing golf then you will be spoilt for choice as this area has probably the most golf courses of all the areas in South Africa. Try the signature Goose Valley and Turtle Creek course in Plettenberg Bay, as well as the Country Club, offering golfers a unique experience.

This is a great area for hiking and walking with so many trails to choose catering for all levels of experience and fitness. The day hikes in the area will take you through forest and fynbos, through wetlands and rivers along coastal escarpment, rocks and sandy beaches.

Hikes/Walks in the area include:

•    Kranshoek Coastal and Forest Walks
•    Garden of Eden Forest Walk
•    Milkwood Scenic Trails
•    Hikers Paradise Trail
•    Natures Valley Network
•    Stinkhoutkloof Trail
•    Keurboom Grootbank
•    Storms River Mouth Trails
•    Diepwalle Jonkersberg
•    Harkerville Trail
•    Wittedrift Nature Trails
•    The Big Tree and Ratel Trail

Of course there are overnight hikes of which the most popular is the Otter Trail which is 44km long and takes 5 days to cover. This challenging trail starts at Storms River Mouth and takes you along the coast, across rivers and through forests with a rich variety of bird and animal life and breathtaking views over the ocean to Nature’s Valley Beach.  To take this walk you will need to book well in advance to ensure a place.

Another popular hike is the Tsitsikamma Trail.  It is 60km long and also takes 5 days to complete.  The trail starts at Natures Valley and guides you inland through fynbos and indigenous forest in the Tsitsikamma Mountains and ends at the Storms River Bridge. Once again booking in advance is imperative.

Other things to do in Plettenberg:

• Enjoy a sunset cruise on a 50 foot yacht which departs from Knysna Lagoon - contact Springtide Charters on 00 27 44 470 6022.
• Visit the Plettenberg Elephant Sanctuary where you can enjoy a close encounter with one of the six elephants that have been rescued here. Contact 00 27 44 534 8145.
  

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Places to stay in Western Cape | Itineraries in Western Cape