Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation Plettenberg Bay |
ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
Plettenberg Bay, now known as the "jewel of The Garden Route" was originally christened "Bahia Formosa" (beautiful bay) by early Portuguese explorers is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations on the famous Garden Route in South Africa.
Magnificent beaches, majestic mountains, mysterious forests, tranquil lagoons, dolphin and whale watching, nature reserves and the pansy shells found along the beaches characterize Plettenberg Bay and its surrounding areas. Nature lovers, adrenalin junkies, tranquility seekers, golfers - there is something for everyone!
Linda is well-versed with all the activities in the area and will be able to direct you to those most likely to be enjoyed by you as well as making reservations on your behalf.
Some favourites are:
- Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre
- Whale and dolphin watching excursions
- Tours of:
- Monkeyland, the largest primate sanctuary in the world and
- Birds of Eden, the largest free flight aviary in the world
- Close encounters with elephants at one of the Elephant Parks
- Internationally renowned golf courses
- Sea kayaking and river trips
- Game drives and horse riding in the malaria free game reserves
- Discovering the delights of Robberg Nature Reserve
- Day hikes - there are many to choose from
- Exploring the forests at Tsitsikamma on foot or via a Tree Top Canopy Tour
- Experiencing the delights of the Storms River Mouth with its suspension bridge over mouth of the river
- And the ever popular Bungy jump of 216 metres from the Bloukrans River bridge
- Undertaking an excursion in Bayside Lodge's bus for an orientation tour of the town of Plett, the view sites and places of interest - complimentary to those staying for more than 3 nights.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- TENIKWA WILDLIFE AWARENESS CENTRE
Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offer guests the opportunity for a close, safe, inter-active encounter with all of the lesser cats of South Africa, as well as Cheetah and Leopard. We guarantee sightings of African Wild Cat, Blackfooted Cat, Serval, Caracal, Cheetah and Leopard. Tenikwa also has a Meerkat Meander where visitors can see Meerkats and Tortoises and there is also a variety of indigenous waterfowl, Blue Cranes and Marabou Storks to delight bird watchers. Entrance fees fund Tenikwa's NPO Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Programme.
Open 365 days a year. Amenities include a Tea Garden for light meals, Parking, Wheel-chair Friendly, Mothers Corner.
- CANOEING ON THE KEURBOOMS RIVER
Rent a canoe in the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve - laze your way up river between high craggy rocks and deep verdant forest. A perfect opportunity for birding - the Garden Route boasts nearly 300 bird species (3 km / 5 minutes from Plett Central)
- GAME VIEWING
Rhino, leopard, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and kudu - as well as other big mammals and more than 150 species of birds in their natural environment at Buffalo Hills Game Reserve & Lodges (15 km / 25 minutes from Plett Central) and Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve
- HIKING
Plett is surrounded by nature reserves and National Parks - and has many well-maintained hikes and short walks scattered throughout the area.
- The Robberg Nature Reserve is by far our most popular walking destination, with three trails between 45 minutes and 5 hours (9,2 km) in duration. Guided tours are also available (Robberg: 10 km / 10 minutes from Plett Central).
- Other walks include Kranshoek, Garden of Eden, Nature's Valley, Wittedrift, Milkwood Trail (all within 20 km of Plett Central) and the various trails in the Tsitsikamma National Park (70 km from Plett Central).
- SCENIC DRIVES & DAY TRIPS
Here are just a few:
- Kranshoek picnic site - cliffs and sea (15 km / 20 minutes from Plett Central);
- Garden of Eden - picnic site, circular walk and Big Tree (10 km / 10 minutes from Plett Central);
- Prince Alfred Pass - a historical, gravelled pass between Plett on the coast and Uniondale in the semi-arid Klein Karoo (Plett to Uniondale 40 km; duration between 1 and 2 hours depending on road conditions);
- Bloukrans Pass - beautiful tarred pass though indigenous forests (Plett to Nature's Valley 25 km / 30 minutes);
- STORMS RIVER
Visit the Storms River area in the Tsitsikamma for experiences you'll never forget - Treetops Canopy Tours, abseiling, mountain biking, many more. Also in the Tsitsikamma area - visit The Fernery for its unique fern and restio nursery (60 km / 50 minutes from Plett Central).
- TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
Africa's oldest marine reserve, set up to protect the unique coastal environment where cold and warm currents meet and mingle to create an immensely rich variety of underwater species, Tsitsikamma National Park is 60 km / 50 minutes from Plett Central.
- WHALE WATCHING, MARINE SAFARIS & BOAT CRUISES
Both Ocean Safaris and Ocean Blue offer marine safaris from Central Beach - three to four times a day, seven days a week (depending on sea and weather conditions). These 2 hour-long tours begin with an exhilarating beach launch; life jackets, windbreakers and refreshments are provided.
Minke Whales, orca (killer whales) and Bryde's whales can be seen throughout the year - as can dolphins, Cape fur seals and many other marine mammals. The migratory whales (southern rights and humpbacks) come to the shallow, protected waters of Plettenberg Bay to mate and calve during 'Whale Season,' between June and November (Central Beach boat launch site: 2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central).
- GOLF
Golf is one of the most popular attractions in Plett - please remember to book your tee-off time (we'll be happy to help you):
- Plettenberg Bay Country Club - 18 hole par 72 (5 km / 5 minutes from Plett Central).
- Goose Valley- 18 hole par 72 (5 km / 5 minutes from Plett Central).
... And there number of fine championship courses within easy driving distance, too. Like Pezula in Knysna (35 km / 35 minutes) and Fancourt in George (100 km / 75 minutes).
- BEACHES
Plettenberg Bay's beaches span more than 15 km of the Indian Ocean's shore.
Swimming at:
- Central Beach - often the busiest beach in Plett. Life guards on duty in season. Central Beach is the launch site for Marine Safaris, dive charters and ocean kayaking tours and facilities include restaurants, bars, public toilets and the local National Sea Rescue Station. (2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central);
- Lookout Beach - situated between Lookout Rocks and the mouth of the Bitou River, it boasts a popular restaurant, public toilets and plenty of parking (2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central).
- Robberg Beach - popular for long, long walks, Robberg Beach stretches for kilometres between the Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island. Facilities include public toilets and various parking areas - the closest is 2 km / 2 Minutes from Plett Central.
- Keurbooms Beach - a little wilder, but equally beautiful. Facilities include a restaurant, public toilets and parking (10 km / 15 from Plett Central).
- RESTAURANTS
Local restaurants offer everything from fine cuisine to light meals, and there's one to suite every taste. We'll be happy to help you decide ...
- BOWLS
Our local bowls clubs welcomes guests.
- BUNGI JUMPING
Overcome your fears - Face Adrenalin. At 216 metres and with a 7-second free fall, the Bloukrans River Bridge near Plett has the highest commercial bungi jump in the world. (Bloukrans River Bridge Bungi Site: 45 km / 40 minutes from Plett Central).
- CYCLING
Mountain biking is popular in the Knysna, Harkerville and Tsitsikamma forests. Local bike shops hire, sell and service bikes and some bike tours are also available. Some of the most popular rides are at the Garden of Eden in Harkerville (20 km / 20 minutes from Plett Central)
- DIVING & SNORKELLING
The rich marine life of Plettenberg Bay makes for excellent diving and snorkelling. Two local companies offer dive charters and advice on where to snorkel:
- Beacon Isle Adventure Centre (in the Beacon Isle Hotel: 3 km / 5 minutes from Plett Central);
- Diving International (on Central Beach: 2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central),
A popular and easy snorkelling trail has been laid out in the sea in the Tsitsikamma National Park (60 km / 50 minutes from Plett Central).
- FISHING AND ANGLING
Good rock angling sites include Nature's Valley, Keurbooms, Lookout Rocks, Beacon Island and Robberg Beach. Rock anglers can expect to catch Galjoen, Elf, Roman or Steenbras. Deep Sea anglers may expect Tuna, Leervis, Hake and Calamari (seasonal).
- FISHING CHARTERS
Fishing charters depart from Central Beach (2 km - 2 minutes from Plett Central).
- African Fishing Adventures offers boat-based fly fishing, early evening game fishing, traditional line fishing experiences, etc.
- Plett Fishing Charters and Bay Cruises offer traditional deep sea fishing and salt water fly fishing.
- HORSE RIDING
Forest outrides and horse trails are available (stables: 15 km / 15 minutes from Plett Central. Horses are not allowed on beaches in Plett).
- POLO
Plett is South Africa's Mecca of Polo. Tournaments are played at Bitou House and Kurland during Easter, December and January. Polo practice continues throughout the year.
- Bitou House Polo (5 km / 7 minutes from Plett Central)
- Kurland (20 km / 20 minutes from Plett Central).
- SEA KAYAKING
Close up encounters with whales, dolphins, seals and sea birds (Central Beach boat launch site - 2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central).
- SKYDIVING
Experience the thrill of human flight - jump out of a plane at 10 000 ft attached by harness to a qualified instructor (Plett Airport 10 km / 12 minutes from Plett Central).
- SURFING
Surfboards and tuition are available at Central Beach (2 km / 2 minutes from Plett Central).
- TENNIS
Our local tennis club welcomes visitors.
- WATER SKIING
Ski Boats boat charters are available on the Keurbooms River (Keurbooms River Jetty: 5 km / 7 minutes from Plett Central).
- ART GALLERIES
Collect a map from the information centre in Plettenberg Bay and follow the Plettenberg Bay Arts & Crafts / Historical Route.
- BEAUTY THERAPIES
Pamper yourself - Plett's boasts a number of Day spas and internationally qualified hair stylists. Your host at Bayside Lodge, Linda, will gladly advise and book appointments whilst you're here.
- BIRDS OF EDEN
The world's largest single-span aviary, Birds of Eden houses more than 3,000 previously-caged indigenous and exotic birds. Birds of Eden aims to become home to the world's largest collection of African birds in a free-flight aviary (at Monkeyland: 18 km / 20 minutes from Plett Central).
- CHILDREN'S ATTRACTIONS
For the children - a well-laid out skateboard and trick bike track as well as Wild Waters Fun Park with water slides, mini golf and mini steam train rides.
- GUIDED TOWNSHIP TOURS
Visit Khayalethu, a cultural village and African craft market and enjoy an informative hour of Xhosa traditions.
- GUIDED OR UNGUIDED COASTAL AND FOREST WALKS
Our guide, Hans, is an expert on the local flora and fauna and guarantees a day not to be forgotten.
- ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
Meet the elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary at The Crags (18 km / 20 minutes from Plett Central).
- KEURBOOMS RIVER FERRIES
1 ½ to 2 ½ hour boat cruises up the Keurbooms River, including a short walk in the Keurbooms Nature Reserve - a bird lover's paradise (3 km / 5 minutes from Plett Central).
- KNYSNA ELEPHANT PARK
Meet young, orphaned animals can in a controlled, free-range environment (10 km / 10 minutes from Plett Central).
- LAWNWOOD SNAKE SANCTUARY
Hour-long guided tours of the Sanctuary's indigenous snake pit, Snake Dome (with South African & exotic snakes) and the Giant Python Room (15 km / 15 minutes from Plett Central).
- MONKEYLAND
The world's only multi species, free roaming primate sanctuary is home to animals from several continents. The primates here were all originally bred in captivity or held captive prior to their release at Monkeyland. Visitors may enjoy guided walking safaris. Next door to the Birds of Eden free-flight aviary (16 km - 20 minutes from Plett Central).
- NYATI jjj MAMPOER DISTILLERY
Nyati jjj Liqueurs are made from Mampoer - Africa's potent, traditional, citrus-based spirit. Visit the Nyati Distillery at Buffalo Hills Game Reserve near Plettenberg Bay where Mampoer is steeped in a variety of fruits to create liquors that capture the flavour of Africa. Distillery tours and mampoer tastings are offered free of charge to casual visitors and are included in all safari game drives at Buffalo Hills (15 km / 30 minutes from Plett Central).
- RIVER BOAT RIDES
Hire a motorboat from the Angling Club to explore the Keurbooms River (5 km / 7 minutes from Plett Central).
- SCENIC FLIGHTS AND CHARTERS
African Ramble offers scenic, whale watching and charter flights from Plett Airport (10 km / 12 minutes from Plett Central).
- SHOPPING
Plettenberg Bay offers two shopping areas: The Main Road (Plett Central) and the Market Square mall - both boasting a host of various shops and restaurants. The town of Knysna (30 km / 25 minutes from Plett Central) is also a popular shopping destination.
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