Plettenberg Bay to Tsitsikamma
Plettenberg Bay
Sandy beaches, vibrant atmosphere and plenty of action – that’s Plettenberg Bay!
Plettenberg Bay is situated beside the magnificent Indian Ocean and Robberg Penninsula. With intriguing lagoons and estuaries, indigenous forest and unpolluted rivers and sea, Plett has so much to offer.
The town is home to many historical artefacts, some of which are held in the municipal offices. Old buildings such as the Old Timber Store, the century-old St Andrew’s Chapel, St Peter’s and the Dutch Reformed Church can be seen.
The massive Robberg Nature Reserve is the perfect spot for whale and dolphin viewing, bird watching and exploring the Nelson Bay Cave. Robberg is a must see for all visitors with the peninsula being home to a large Cape fur seal colony as well. From Keurboomstrand to the Robberg Peninsula there are 15 kilometres of beaches punctuated by the river mouth and an island. The river, lagoon, bay and beaches are used by fishing and boating enthusiasts and offer the best shore-based whale watching of the area.
The Crags is approximately 20 kilometres from Plett central and has become one of the must-see areas, with polo fields, wildlife sanctuaries, a Barnyard theatre and an abundance of art and craft offerings along its vibrant ‘Cruise the Crags’ route.
Surfing, body boarding, hiking, fishing, canoeing, boat tours – these are only some of the adventurous activities that Plett has to offer. Exploring the underwater world is fun and exciting with lots to see, from fishes, stingrays, seals to even the occasional octopus! The delicate pansy shell is endemic to this part of the coast, and is used as the symbol representing the town. Looking for these treasures on the beach is a popular activity amongst visitors and locals alike.
At night Plettenberg Bay is alive with pubs, night-spots and fine restaurants; and after an eventful, fun day one can be assured of a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels, exclusive country retreats, cosy bed and breakfasts, self-catering chalets and excellent camping facilities; where one can rest before the next adventure.
Tsitsikamma
Peaceful, serene, lush and beautiful are all words best describing the Tsitsikamma region – a magical experience for all who visit here …
The Tsitsikamma area sits on a 200m high plateau which stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east and is bordered northerly by the imposing Tsitsikamma Mountains and in the south by the Indian Ocean.
The area is covered by large expanses of indigenous forest, commercial plantation and fynbos. Deep river gorges divide the plateau creating spectacular waterfalls and deep ravines. The water in the river is characteristic in its dark brown hue, because of its high tannin content leached from the surrounding vegetation.
Tsitsikamma is accessed directly from the N2 National Road that passes through the area on an east to west line. This section of road is one of only a few highways in the world to have 3 bridges in excess of 152m in height. Traveling through the eastern Tsitsikamma, the R102 provincial road offers a scenic alternative to the N2 through the countryside, passing Witels Peak, Witelsbos Forestry Station, Oudebosch and Eerste Rivier.
The Tsitsikamma’s spectacular scenery attracts large numbers of international and local tourists. The most popular being the Storms River mouth rest camp. A number of short trails (2-6km) allows you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. The rest camp has recreational facilities as well as excellent accommodation options. The famous Storms River suspension bridge spans the river mouth and offers spectacular views. Storms River is where you will find the start of the Otter Trail, the Tsitsikamma’s most famous 5 day hiking trail.
Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This is one of the largest single unit ‘no take’ (including fishing) Marine Protected Areas in the world, conserving 11% of South Africa’s Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline and provides a ‘laboratory’ for fisheries baseline research on endangered fish species. In 1964 when it was proclaimed, it became the first Marine National Park to be as such in Africa.
Tsitsikamma has plenty of races and events that take place every year, from mountain biking, cycling, and road/trail running. The area becomes a hive of activity and excitement during these times as athletes and supporters flock here from all over the countryside.
Take the journey through the Tsitsikamma for an unforgettable experience.
