A scenic six-hour drive along the Garden Route from Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay, or Plett as it’s fondly called by locals, is where bohemian flair meets untamed nature – think stylish restaurants, hip bars and modern galleries, offset by pristine reserves, migrating whales, and seals basking on wave-battered rocks.
Popular with visitors and South Africans who migrate to its golden beaches during the school holidays, it makes for the perfect beach stop on your road trip. With an endless amount of outdoor activities, you can easily get lost here for a week or longer, but even a couple of days will allow you to capture Plett’s essence: a place where you can hike ancient coastal trails, swim in sheltered bays, sip wine among the vines, and round off each day with world-class food and cocktails overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Ease into your stay with a drink at The Lookout, perched above the lagoon and sweeping sands of Lookout Beach. The view alone – sea, sky, and the Tsitsikamma Mountains beyond – turn this into a local institution. Order a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or signature cocktail, then settle in for a relaxed dinner of seafood and grills while the sun dips into the horizon.
Start your morning at The Seakrit Spot, a tiny café tucked off Main Street that serves the best Flat White in town. Fuelled by caffeine, your next stop is one of Plett’s most scenic highlights, Robberg Nature Reserve – a rugged peninsula that is a World Heritage site and national monument.
Three circular trails loop past Stone Age caves, windswept dunes, and colonies of Cape fur seals – the easy 30-minute Gap Circuit is ideal for young children, while older ones will love the winding trail and slight climbs on the two-hour Witsand Circuit. For the full 360-degree experience, take on the four-hour Point Circuit. Whichever you choose, expect sweeping ocean views and the chance to spot hundreds of seals, as well as dolphins and, in season, humpback whales.
On the way back to town, detour to The Wreck, a hidden beach that is a local favourite for a cooling dip – especially in peak season when the main beaches get very busy.
Time for lunch. Market Off Main is a lively food hub where stalls cater to all tastebuds, from poke bowls to gourmet burgers and pizzas. Afterward, take a stroll along Main Street to browse independent boutiques, trendy galleries, and laidback cafes.
In the afternoon, families should make a beeline for Central Beach, a broad swathe of golden sand with safe swimming, lifeguards, and a festive summer buzz.
As the day winds down, head to The Palms at Ivory Haus for dinner. With its views over Keurbooms Lagoon, eclectic menu, and the kind of waiters who’ll remember your kids’ names throughout the evening, it’s one of Plett’s hottest recent openings. On a balmy summer evening, the terrace is the place to be – try to bag one of the highchairs overlooking the lagoon.
Ivory Haus is also a great option for style-conscious couples looking for a stay, with 11 rooms and suites featuring exclusive amenities such as a private pool, secluded balconies, and outdoor showers.
Join locals for an early sunrise dip at Hobie Beach – the water makes for an invigorating start to the day.
Next, head inland to Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight aviary, where more than 3,500 rescued birds now live freely among forest canopies, gorges, and waterfalls. Combine with a visit with Monkeyland next door, which is home to 600 free-roaming primates, from lemurs to gibbons. Both sanctuaries have strict ethical policies – no touching or feeding.
For lunch, continue to Newstead Lund Family Vineyards, a boutique estate specialising in Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine and small-batch vintages – pair with a pre-booked picnic or tasting platter among the vines.
On your way back to town, stop at Mungo Mill, where restored late 19th century looms turn out heirloom-quality towels and throws. Watch the weaving process in action during a self-guided tour of the mill, then stock up at the Mungo store next door. A percentage of each sale will go toward the company’s MOVE initiatives, such as the Kids of Kurland Kikoi project at the local Crags Primary School.
Mungo Mill is part of Old Nick Village, a bohemian outdoor shopping destination where you can browse studios and galleries set in an old farmstead, pick up ceramics from Prêt-à-Pot or chocolates from Shautany, and linger over coffee in the lush garden.
End your Plettenberg stay on a high note at Emily Moon River Lodge. Overlooking the Bitou River and wetlands, the bohemian enclave is filled with eclectic treasures collected by the owners on their travels, showcased within 16 suites and two distinctive dining spaces. For refined home-style cooking with scenic views, enjoy Karoo lamb rack and Bali bowls at Emily’s Restaurant, or head upstairs to Simon’s Bar for wood-fired pizza – we recommend the Bangladesh Banger, a wild and delicious combination of butter chicken, dhaniya chutney, brinjals (aubergine), caramelised leeks, green peppers, coriander, and avo.
If time allows, Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area – in particular the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Gorge – offer a vast choice of adrenaline-fuelled activities for the whole family, from horse riding, mountain biking, trail running and swimming with seals to kloofing, ziplining, abseiling and bungee jumping.
The Plettenberg: You don’t get a better location than this grand five-star hotel, which boasts the most spectacular views from its prime position on rocky headland. Surrounded by nature, you’ll overlook miles of unspoilt beaches and fynbos-covered mountains, while being only a five-minute walk from Lookout Beach, and a leisurely stroll from Plett’s town centre.
Set across two buildings, each with its own pool, the 25 classically designed guest rooms, 12 suites, and two private villas come with floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of those impeccable vistas – which often include sightings of dolphins and whales. The ocean theme also extends to the Fresh Wellness Spa, as well as the signature restaurant Amelia’s at The Plettenberg – there’s no better way to start your day than with an outdoor breakfast on the terrace.
The Old Rectory Hotel and Spa: Rare Earth’s Plettenberg Bay outpost is housed in a national monument that is the town’s oldest building, dating back to 1777. Today, it has been reimagined as a charming boutique hotel that strikes the right balance between history and modernity – with Hobie Beach on your doorstep.
The cosy bar and bistro-inspired restaurant reside in the original building, leading out onto a sparkling (non-heated) pool and deck, shaded by ancient milkwood trees. The 18 modern suites are dotted around the garden and pool, and feature an open-plan design, accentuated with contemporary South African artworks and pops of vivid colour. The garden is also the setting for the standalone spa, where you can indulge in signature journeys featuring the glow-boosting exotic scents of marula and neroli.
Contact us to enquire or book a trip that includes this vibrant coastal gem — whether as a relaxing beach stop or an adventure-filled highlight of your Garden Route safari.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
