Activities & Places to Explore in Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a beautiful bay on the south coast of South Africa, on the Indian Ocean coast. This town is famous for its friendly people, breath-taking scenery, and long stretches of golden sandy beaches.
Exploring the unspoiled beaches of Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a small seaside village nestled in the most southern tip of the Western Cape. The town’s popularity derives from its close proximity to some of South Africa’s most spectacular beaches.
With a population of just over 30000 people, Plettenberg Bay is one of the country’s busiest tourist destinations during the summer months when visitors from all over the world flock to enjoy its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and unspoiled beaches.
For travellers looking for a tranquil getaway experience, an idyllic guesthouse is guaranteed at The Long Story Boutique Guesthouse. Here you can escape from technology and spend your days relaxing on our sun deck overlooking the garden or simply reading books under shady trees.
There are 2 beautiful beaches nearby- Look-Out Beach and Robberg Beach with surfing breaks. A distinctive flower-shaped seashell called a pansy shell is endemic to this part of the coast and is used as the symbol representing the town. Looking for these shells on the beach at low tide is a popular activity amongst visitors and locals alike.
Besides being a popular yachting destination, Plettenberg Bay offers a fantastic range of activities to enjoy during your stay. From horseback riding to abseiling and kayaking, there will be something for everyone at The Long Story Guesthouse!
Robberg Peninsula Nature Reserve Walking Trail
There are endless things to do in Plettenberg Bay during your stay with us. A visit to Robberg Nature Reserve is a must-do while you’re here! You can explore the reserve by foot or bike.
The three circular routes on offer vary in terms of distance and difficulty. They range from a 30-minute stroll to a four to five hour hike. Regardless of the route, visitors must always wear hiking shoes, sunblock and hats. Water and warm clothing is essential, as the weather can change suddenly.
Robberg Nature Reserve is a magical place, home to a kaleidoscope of topography and biodiversity. Whether you are a keen birdwatcher or a casual observer, this reserve has much to offer the nature-lover.
Due to its diversity and abundant birdlife, Robberg was declared a South African National Park in 1981. Covering approximately 22 square kilometres, Robberg boasts the highest density of breeding seabirds in Africa—with over 3 million little penguins living on the rocks below the cliffs. In addition to seabirds, it is also home to Cape fur seals and Southern right whales that stop here from time to time during their migration from Antarctica to warmer waters.
In recent years, Robberg has been developed as a tourist destination with a variety of activities available for visitors. Birdwatching is one of these activities and can be done at Robberg Nature Reserve’s self-guided trails.
The self-guided trail at Robberg Nature Reserve takes you up steep inclines and descents through different habitats while providing insights into the lives of Cape wildlife. Highlights include sightings of wild animals like eland, baboons and vervet monkeys, sea lions and much more.
Golf Courses
There are 2 courses in the area, Plettenberg Bay Country Club and Goose Valley. There are also courses in Knysna 30 min drive away. Goose Valley Golf Course offers a discount when you make a booking through the guest house.
Mountain Biking / Cycling
Just cycle around town – When staying at the Long Story guest house we have 3 complimentary bikes that are included in your rate.
If you have a passion for mountain biking check out some of these popular routes to try out on your stay: Ivivi Singletrack, Wunderlust, Berm Blast, Badger route and much more.
Sea Kayaking and Boat Tours
View seals, dolphins, and whales during your stay at. You can even swim with the seals.
Go snorkeling to see the abundant marine life below the surface. There’s also plenty of opportunities to explore at our guesthouse: take a walk along the coastline and get an amazing view of the bay. Or head inland and explore our surrounding forests and mountains – be sure to stop off at Waterfall Tsitsikamma!
Restaurants
Plettenberg Bay has no shortage of quality restaurants serving up some of the finest food and flavours on the Garden Route. Some popular places include:
- Emily Moon and Simons bar (pizza restaurant) – Has live music on Fridays
- Fat Fish – Best fish ever
- Barrington’s – Offers beer tastings
- 1989 – Best burgers in town
- Enricos – Best venue and Italian food
- Ski boat club – The local fish restaurant right on BI beach
- Bungalow – Great sushi and right on BI beach
- The Grand in town
Birds of Eden & Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
The world’s largest free-flight aviary Birds of Eden is located in the Craggs ,just a short ride outside of Plett, as well as the Moneyland Primate Sanctuary and the Elephant Sanctuary.
Wine Estates
There are a few lovely wine estates where you can enjoy either tasting of wines or have a lovely lunch in the vineyards. These are some of the top estates to check out: Bramon Wine Estate, Packwood Country and Wine Estate, Newstead Wines, Loadstone Wines, Plettenvale Wine Estate and Kay & Monty Vineyards. Bramon, Newstead, Loadstone and many more of these estates offer lunch and wine tastings.
Discover the Natural Wonders of Tsitsikamma National Park and Nature Reserve
It’s not hard to see why South Africa is such a popular destination for travellers. The country has so much to offer, from breath-taking views the Garden Route area, to the wildlife and diverse landscapes of the Tsitsikamma National Park and Nature Reserve.
Located in the Garden Route region of South Africa, Tsitsikamma National Park and Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful places on earth. With its pristine beaches, temperate climate, and native forest – Tsitsikamma has an unrivalled atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else on earth.
Tsitsikamma offers visitors a full range of activities, including mountain biking, hiking trails, camping sites with cabins, world-class surf beaches and coastal walks. Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views at every turn! And surfers will find their perfect break with waves up to 4 meters high.