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Plettenberg Bay
Close to the ground.

Basics
Sights/Activities
Shopping
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking/Entertainment

GPS: S 34 03.381 E 023 22.322 pop. 35,000 | elevation 86 m/282 ft

Plettenberg Bay is an exquisite coastal resort town that draws droves of visitors for its beaches, natural wonders and kick-back elegance. Though the town has its share of surfers and beach bunnies, a stroll down Main Street is enough to see that Plett attracts a ritzier crowd. To love it here, you'll have to stray from downtown and explore the lagoon, strand and indigenous forests that inspired early Portuguese explorers to dub the area "Bahia Formosa’ or "beautiful bay."

Ocean Blue Adventures

Ocean Blue Adventures offers year-round whale watching and marine life tours, sea kayaking and Qolweni township walking tours. The company is also carbon neutral and leading a community-wide effort to offset carbon emissions in the area.

Equitrailing

Horseback riding is available through Equitrailing, which offers half-day trail rides, moonlight and champagne breakfast trail rides and shorter rides.

Southern Comfort Western Horse Ranch

Southern Comfort Western Horse Ranch is 17 km from both Plettenberg Bay and Knysna and offers twice-daily horse rides through the Knysna Forest.

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve has 2000 hectares just 15 minutes outside of Plettenberg Bay. The reserve offers game drives and horse safaris where you can try to spot lions, giraffe, hippo and buffalo. There is also a lodge and restaurant in the reserve.

Sky Dive Plettenberg Bay

Sky Dive Plettenberg Bay offers first-timers the chance to jump with an instructor above Plett's gorgeous coastlines. The company has been certified to be carbon neutral.

Learn 2 Surf

Learn 2 Surf offers two-hour surfing lessons on Robberg Beach. Private lessons are R450 and group lessons of up to four people are R300. The school also rents out surf gear.

Plettenberg's downtown area, Main Street, is lined with boutiques and surfing stores.

Market Square

Market Square is a large shopping mall on the edge of town. It has a Pick 'n Pay, Woolworths and a cinema.

Old Nick Village

Old Nick Village has shops, galleries and craft and art workshops inside a historic cape settlement among indigenous gardens.

Budget

Nothando Backpackers

Nothando Backpackers spoils weary budget travelers with its comfortable beds and deliciously clean linens. The owner's homey touches combined with the fact that Nothando is only a few blocks from Plett's main strip makes this a surefire bet for those who want beach time combined with a restful night's sleep.

Albergo for Backpackers

Albergo for Backpackers is the closest hostel you can get to both the beach and town, which makes it a favorite for the surfer contingent. The place's mellow surfer vibe is reinforced with worn-in, breezy rooms, board rentals and a plentitude of hammocks, but only the dorms have ocean views. Albergo is also a carbon-neutral business, and regularly plants trees to offset its carbon emissions.

Amakaya Backpackers

Amakaya Backpackers is a modern take on the beach bum's shack - travelers roam barefoot through the bright and airy rooms or lounge at the rooftop bar and pool. The hostel has onsite surfboard and wetsuit rentals for R150.

Mid-range

Cornerway House

Cornerway House is a quiet cottage in the suburbs about 15 minutes drive outside of town. The guesthouse and newly built self-catering rooms are cozy and plush, and the neat grounds feel straight out of the English countryside.

Swallow's Nest

Swallow's Nest is a retro beach home that's been nicely renovated. The 4-star guesthouse abuts the lagoon and is just a short walk from the beach.

Beacon Lodge

Beacon Lodge is a clean neat guesthouse with just two rooms. A great pick for its value, tranquility and proximity to the beach.

Anlin Beach House

Anlin Beach House is a sleek collection of self-catering rooms, just a short walk from the beach in Plett's nearby suburbs. A cool palate of glass, steel and slate keep even the mountain-facing rooms feeling fresh, but Anlin's real attraction is the expansive patios and views from its ocean-facing rooms.

Sandbanks Luxury Retreat

Sandbanks Luxury Retreat is located on a hill just outside of town, which makes for a stunning view from the large infinity pool. Rooms vary from ultimate luxury to comfortable and quaint. Self-catering rooms with communal living and cooking spaces make it an ideal option for groups of people traveling together.

Top-end

The Plettenberg

The Plettenberg is a luxurious, Relais & Chateaux rated hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Each room is spacious, plush and uniquely decorated and the hotel's two infinity pools couldn't be more inviting for a dip. Ask for a room just across the street in the Annex, which is a bit more quiet and private than the main building.

Bay Lodge

Bay Lodge is a chic oasis just outside of town. Each luxury room either opens up onto a private sunfilled balcony or is outfitted with a fireplace at the foot of your bed. The infinity pool, complete with waterfall, overlooks the waterfront and rooftop cabanas let you unwind in style.

The Lookout Deck

The Lookout Deck is a casual seafood joint perched on a cliff overlooking the strand. Stunning views bring a crowd most times of the day, so prepare to enjoy your sundowner or fried seafood shoulder to shoulder with rambunctious new friends. Bring your suit for a dip at the small beach just below the restaurant.

LM in Plett

LM in Plett is an upscale Mozambican restaurant specializing in Lourenco Marques prawns. But just as outstanding are the meats presented skewered and marinated in Piri-piri sauce. The best kick-back spot is at the picnic tables on the front terrace where you can people watch while you eat.

Miguel's Restaurant & Cocktail Terrace

Miguel's Restaurant & Cocktail Terrace is a Portuguese restaurant and lounge popular for its well-seasoned main dishes and for the huge covered terrace that overlooks Plett's main street and the beach beyond. It's one of the few ocean-view establishments in town that features seafood more sophisticated than the usual fried fare.