More about the area
Getting to Plettenberg Bay:
Fly from Heathrow to Johannesburg with British Airways, South African Airways or Virgin Atlantic
And connect to George with South African Express
Or connect to Port Elizabeth with British Airways or South African Airways
Recommended Excursions:
Boat Cruises in our bay to experience the wealth of marine life found here (dolphins, whales, seals etc.) usually take place during the morning and afternoon.
The cruises, which departs from Central Beach, are one and a half hour to two and a half hour trips and the cost range from R275 to R300 per person which includes soft drinks. The following companies can be contacted:
Ocean Blue Adventures at Tel/fax no 044-53 35083
Ocean Safari’s at Tel/fax 044-53 34963
The Explorer at Cell 082 377 3348
African Fishing Charters at Cell 083 701 5793 from boat based fly fishing to leisure trips
Plett Fishing Charters at Cell 082 940 7062 from deep sea fishing to sundowner cruises
Keurbooms River Ferry and Angling Club
The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve is situated 5 km from Plett, direction P.E. This nature reserve stretches up the river for about 5-6km.
To experience the beauty of the reserve you can either take a ferry trip which lasts 2½ hours (cost: R70 per adult, R35 per child under 12 years old. Make a booking at Tel No: 044-5327876) or you can hire a boat with engine from the Angling Club (Tel 044-5359740) at the river, and travel up the river by yourselves.
There are a number of picnic spots next to the river with little beaches where you can spent your whole day swimming, tanning, fishing etc.
Canoeing on the Keurbooms River
If you are keen on canoeing, you can hire a canoe from the Angling Club (Tel 044-5359740) or from the Aventura Resort (Tel 044-5359309) and canoe up the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve.
Canoes can also be hired for day trips on the river from the entrance to the Keurbooms Nature Reserve at the N2 bridge (tel 044-5332125). The two day Keurbooms Canoe Trail is an easy 7km (14km in total) flatwater experience. A fully equipped overnight hut can sleep 10 people and can be booked at 044-3830042.
Abseiling (30m)
Gravity Zone Abseiling
Tel 042 280 3770
Bungi Jumping
The highest commercial bungi jump in the world is at Bloukrans River Bridge. The height is 216 metres with a 7 second free fall! The cost is R590 p/p The adventure company Face Adrenalin will make sure you have an experience of a lifetime! Bookings essential at Tel 042-281 1458.
Sea Kayaking
You can experience ocean or river kayaking at Plettenberg Bay. Contact Dolphin Adventures (Cell 083 590 3405) or Real Cape Adventures (Cell 082 556 2520) to see sea birds, dolphins, seals up close from your kayak!
Beacon Isle Adventure Centre: Come dive your heart out. PADI Scuba Dive courses, fun diving, fills, tours and snorkel. Tel: +27(0)44 533 1158
Fishing and Angling
Good rock angling sites include Nature’s Valley, Keurbooms, Lookout Rocks, Beacon Island and Robberg Beach. No fishing is permitted in the Tsitsikamma National Park which extends 5,5kms out to sea except for a short strip to the west of the Storms River Mouth. Rock anglers can expect to catch Galjoen, Elf, Roman or Steenbras.
Deep Sea anglers may expect Tuna, Leervis, Hake and Calamari (seasonal). Please do not leave litter or line behind on rocks and beaches and please adopt the ÒTag and Release system. (For more info phone 533 2941).
Registered deep sea fishing and river fishing adventures Matata Fishing 044 533 1230
Copacabana
Deep sea fishing,marlin & tuna fishing
Contact: Albie Moller Tel: 044 533 4351 Cell: 084 550 2943
Boating and other Watersports
The Bay is an excellent venue for Hobie Cat sailing, Surfing, Wave Ski and Bathing. Launching of power boats is permitted on Central Beach (contact the Ski Boat Club 044-533 2941) and sailing boats may launch off Hobie Beach.
The Keurbooms River is an ideal water-skiing and canoeing venue. The river is zoned regarding watersports.
Contact Nature Conservation (ph.533 2125) for more details or if you would like to hire canoes for the overnight canoe trail and stay-over in the Whiskey Creek hut. This overnight canoe trail is ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers. Boats may be launched at the river slipway situated next to the N2 bridge that crosses the river (Stanley Island turn-off). A sunset cruise on the river or out to sea is a must.
Mountain Biking
The Harkerville Cycle Route is the most popular. Permits and maps for this trail are available at the “Garden of Eden” which is situated ±17 km from Plett on the N2 to Knysna. The trails range from easy to difficult. Guided biking trails are also available, contact Outeniqua biking trails at Tel no 044-5327644 in this regard.
There is also a mountain biking route at Storms River Tel 042-281 1609. Closer to Knysna is the Diepwalle Forest Cycle Route – permits are available at the Diepwalle Forest Station. Contact the Forestry Dept. in Knysna for more details – Tel 044-3825466.
Hiking
There are many hikes and short walks in our area. Robberg is by far our most popular walk. There are three trails to choose from: 45 min., 2 hours and the 9,2 km or 4½ hour walk. If you want to go on a guided tour of Robberg, contact Robberg Guided Walks on Tel 044-53 32632. Website: www.robbergwalks.homestead.com. Other walks include Kranshoek, Garden of Eden, Nature’s Valley, Wittedrift, Milkwood Trail, Tsitsikamma National Park trails etc. The most popular trail towards Tsitsikamma is the Otter Trail which is 44 km long and which lasts 5 days. Bookings for this trail can be made at the National Parks Board Offices in either Pretoria or Cape Town.
Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail and Mountain Adventures-042 2811 712 or 072 704 5640
Hans van Ameyde- Personal Hiking Guide. All forest trails. German and English speaking. Contact info@plettenbergbay.co.za
Plettenberg Bay, National Tourist Guide
(German,English & Afrikaans speaking)
Contact:Arne Adler
Tel:044-533 9069
Horse Riding
There are two companies near Plettenberg Bay who provides horse trails in the forest. (Unfortunately no horse riding allowed on beaches) Southern Comfort Western Horse Ranch is situated at Fisanthoek, approx. 14 km from Plett direction Knysna (tel. 044-532 7885).
Equitrailing is situated on the Wittedrift Road and does 1 hour to overnight trails. (Tel 044-53 30599) Valley Riding Centre offers rides in Plett’s beautiful surrounds. (Cell: 082 767 7427)
Golf
Plettenberg Bay is well known for its beautiful golf courses:
Plettenberg Bay Country Club – Tel 044-5332132 – 18 holes
Rietvlei Mashie Course – Tel 044-5359262 – 9 holes
Goose Valley – Tel 044-5335082 – 18 holes
Monkeyland is unique as a primate sanctuary. It is home to many varied species of monkey from several continents which were captive bred prior to their release at Monkeyland. Situated 16 km east of Plett, it offers visitors safaris conducted by game rangers.
This is the world’s only multi specie, free roaming primate sanctuary.
Tel 044-5348906
www.monkeyland.co.za
Outeniqua Choo-tjoe
This unique steam train departs daily from George to Mosselbay. Beautiful scenery along the way.
Bookings: 044-801 8288.
Polo
Plett has become well-known as the “polo mecca” of South Africa. Exciting polo tournaments are being played at Bitou House and Kurland during Easter, December and January with polo practices throughout the year.
The first international polo test match was held on 1 Jan 2003 between SA and England . The aim is to host an annual test match each year to showcase this most beautiful and exciting sport.
Kurland Polo Tel: 044-53 48448
Scenic drives & Day trips
Kranshoek picnic site – overlooking cliffs and sea;
Garden of Eden – picnic site, circular walk and Big Tree;
Prince Alfred Pass – stunning mountain views along the historical
pass;
Bloukrans Pass – unique pass amid indigenous forests to Nature’s Valley;
Plettenberg Bay Arts & Crafts Route/Historical Route – maps at office.
Trumilk Dairy
Take the family for a scenic drive up the pristine Bitou Valley for cheese, wine and liquor
tastings. Trumilk Dairy was recently awarded for the best feta cheese in South Africa. Their production includes cheddar cheese and a handmade French style camembert.
Carefully selected wines from the Cape and Klein Karoo compliments the high quality cheese and can be tasted and bought at our fine shop & tasting room on the farm.
Tel +27 (0)44 535 9564 or 535 9776
trumilk@cybertrade.co.za
Elephant Sanctuary
An Elephant Experience for Life! We are situated right next to Monkeyland in The Crags near Plettenberg Bay. We specialize in up close and personal educational tours. Our focus is on interaction, so our guests do not only learn a lot about elephants, they also get to touch, feel, feed, walk trunk-in-hand and even ride these magnificent animals. Open 7 days a week.
Booking recommended 044 534 8145
cragelephant@telkomsa.net
www.elephantsanctuary.co.za
Skydive Plettenberg Bay –
Welcome to living life to the fullest! Experience the thrill of human flight over the most scenic dropzone in the world. After a short briefing enjoy a 20 min scenic and often whale watching, plane ride to altitude over the stunning Plettenberg Bay Coastline. Then the pleasure flight stops and the Adrenaline starts as you exit the plane with your Tandem Master and experience the rush of a 35 second Freefall at 220KPH from 10,000ft! Once under Canopy, YOU get to fly the parachute back down to earth. On request, your entire experience is captured on camera for you to take home on DVD.
Contact: Dropzone 082 905 7440
TENIKWA Wildlife Awareness Centre
A truly unique Wildcat Experience. Guests are taken on a guided tour to meet captive-bred furry felines, living in a semi-natural environment. So close, you can hear them purr… Step into the world of the charismatic Cheetah.
Enjoy a cat and mouse game with South Africa’s seldom seen Lesser indigenous cats, and meet the rare Anthill Tiger. At Tenikwa, our animals speak for those who have no say. Learn about their struggle for survival in the wild. Your support funds our Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Give us an hour of your time and we will change your life.
Open daily from 9am. Last tour departs 4.30pm. Tel +27(0)44 5348170 Cell: 082-4144416 / 082-4861515. Email : info@tenikwa.co.za Website : www.tenikwa.co.za
Birds of Eden
The unique two hectare dome (the World’s largest) spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. The sanctuary has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk-behind waterfall. Another feature is its amphitheatre, which has the ability to seat over 200 visitors. The sanctuary’s dome incorporates the ability to synthesise thunder and create short spells of rain from an irrigation system in the dome structure. Roofed viewpoints within the gorge have been erected for use during these brief rain storms.
Phone: +27 (0)44 534 8906 • Fax: +27 (0)44 534 8907
Postal Address
PO. BOX 1190, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Email: birdsofeden@monkeyland.co.za
Elephant Park
Here the legacy of the Knysna Elephant lives on. The experience is somewhat of a closer kind than at Kruger or Addo – visitors are allowed to touch and feed the elephants Harry, Sally and Duma.
Tel 044-532 7732
Where to Eat
Emily Moon River lodge, Rietvlei Rd, Plettenberg
http://www.emilymoon.co.za/emilys/index.html
Tel 044 533 29 82
The Lookout, Plettenberg
http://www.lookout.co.za/
Tel 044 533 13 79
Enrico’s, Keeurboomstrand, Plettenberg
http://www.enricorestaurant.co.za/
Tel 044 535 98 18
Rod & Reel Piesang Valley Road, Plettenberg
http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-1643.html
Tel 044 533 01 65
Fu Shi The Upper Deck, No3 Strand Street, Plettenberg
http://www.fushi.co.za/
044 533 64 97