Some of my earliest memories are of family holidays as a young boy at Oupa’s family house in Plettenberg Bay. The double-story beach house was separated from the golden sands and warm water of Robberg Beach by a flight of wooden stairs that our little legs would run up and down during the course of the day.
Getting there: Plettenberg Bay is just off the N2, 500km from Cape Town.
GPS Coordinates: -34.05637, 23.37210
Plettenberg Bay, known to most simply as Plett, has long outgrown its seaside village shoes and is now a modern town, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as Sandton-by-the-Sea.
It boasts golden beaches: Robberg Beach, Central Beach, Lookout Beach and Keurbooms Beach. Lookout Beach has changed significantly over the years: a flood saw the mouth of the Keurbooms River move to the west at the rocks of Lookout Beach (and has subsequently moved back again).
The history of Plett reveals strong ties to the timber industry, as well as the whaling industry — the iconic Beacon Isle Hotel was once the site of a whaling station.
Places to eat
Bitou Vineyards is the new kid on the block. A stunning venue with fantastic food and wine.
The Yellow Wood Spur for the tried and trusted South African family steakhouse experience for “people with a taste for life” and a glorious view of the Beacon Isle Hotel and both Central and Robberg beaches. Telephone: 044 533 4695
The Table Restaurant serves the best pizzas I have tasted on the Garden Route.
Places to meet
- Eleven Main Street Coffee, 11 Main Street
Things to do
If you are considering a visit to Elephants of Eden, the Knysna Elephant Park, please read the allegations made by the NSPCA with regards to the brutal treatment of the elephants: http://www.nspca.co.za/#%2FNews%2F3844%2FELEPHANTS-OF-EDEN-%E2%80%93-No-Sanctuary-for-Elephants
- Hike in Robberg Nature Reserve and at Kranshoek
- Visit nearby Keurboomstrand to walk to Cathedral Rock and visit the Matjes River Mouth Shelter midden
- Mountain bike the famous Harkerville Red Route
- Visit Birds of Eden and Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
- Take a tour at Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
- Take part in the annual Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge
- Visit the gorgeous Bitou Vineyards for fantastic food and wine
- There is a burgeoning wine route centred around The Crags area to the East and it is well worth paying a visit to some of the estates. Be sure to call ahead to confirm business hours which can be frustratingly random.
- Visit the Old Wood Shed, the Whale Lookout Point and St. Peter’s Anglican Church
- Stop in at Mungo Mill where beautiful vintage weaving looms produce gorgeous fabric.
