Top 10 things to see and do in and around Plettenberg Bay - 2010 World Cup South Africa Attractions

The Crags Elephant Sanctuary

The Crags Elephant Sanctuary located 25km from Plettenberg Bay, gives you a unique opportunity to interact with these gentle giants of Africa. The sanctuary offers close and personal educational tours and focuses on interaction, guests not only learn a lot about elephants, they also get to touch, feel, feed, walk trunk-in-hand and even ride these magnificent animals. A magical experience, not to be missed when passing through The Crags.

Monkeyland

"Monkeyland is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary". This sanctuary offers safaris conducted tours by experienced rangers through a large indigenous forest that is now the home to some of the following primates: Black Lemur, Black & White Ruffed Lemur , Ringtail Lemur, White-handed Gibbon, Tufted or Brown Capuchin, Common Marmoset, Cottontop Tamarin, Golden-handed Tamarin, Douroucouli or Northern Grey-necked Owl Monkey, Spectacled Langur, Black-handed Spider Monkey, Common Squirrel Monkey, our indiginous Vervet Monkey's and Bushbabies.

Monkeyland has a great restaurant and curio shop, is situated 16km east of Plettenberg Bay and is a must see attraction.

Tips for visitors: Take warm clothing as the forest can sometimes be chili. Keep a tight hand on all loose items like camera, wallet, sunglasses and the likes, the monkey's are very nautghy and often scale things from visitors. When doing the guided tour, be sure to spray mosquito replant available at reception, or the mosquitoes will eat you alive.

Birds of Eden

Birds of Eden is the worlds largest free flight bird sanctuary. The unique two hectare dome spans a large section of indigenous forest adjacent to the ever popular Monkeyland primate sanctuary. "The dome incorporates the ability to synthesize thunder and create short spells of rain from an irrigation system in the dome structure."

Tips for travelers: You should be warmly dressed when visiting Birds of Eden as the forest can sometimes be rather chili, other items not to be forgotten are a good pair of binoculars and a camera.

Without a doubt Birds of Eden, situated 16km from Plettenberg Bay is a must see.

Bloukrans Bridge Bungy Jump

What can I say about the worlds highest bungy jump? It's high and it will scare you silly. At 216 meters The Bloukrans Bungy is according to the Guinness World Records the worlds highest commercial bungy. Every year thousands of crazy people flock to this bridge, pay a fee get strapped in and make the leap. Not sure if I'd call it fun, but hey everyone else is doing it right? Wrong according to the bunjy crew if you suffer from any of the following you should really avoid this sport: pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart conditions, neurological disorders, epilepsy, acute or chronic knee or back injuries, osteoporosis and any skeletal conditions. At the time of writing this guide Bloukrans Bunjy had a 100% safety record which is very commendable, so if you are in the area feel free to jump but please don't try to break the safety record.

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

Tsitsikamma Canopy tours is a unique eco-wilderness adventure that takes place in some of the most beautiful rainforest's in South Africa. Suspended about 30 meters above the forest floor adventures slide from one platform to another on a cable system. In South Africa we refer to this type of system as a fufi slide, this tour has 10 of these fufi slides and the longest of the slides is 100m in length. Bird and animal life in the forest is incredible and sightings of Knynsa louries, Narina Trogons and Vervet monkeys on not uncommon. Tsitsikamma Canopy tours is well worth the money and should not be missed when passing through Storms River Village.

Natures Valley Beach

This long stretch of beach in Natures Valley makes for some of the most memorable family beach trips ever. During peak holiday season in and around December this beach comes alive with people, and this would also be the best times to swim in the ocean, lifeguards are usually on duty in December. Natures Valley has very strong currents and quiet a few people have perished swimming in these dangerous waters when no life guards were on duty. For nature lovers the best time to visit Natures Valley would be out of season. The beaches are deserted and it is extremely quite and tranquil.

The Sharks

A trip to Natures Valley would not be complete without a short walk to the eastern most corner of the beach. Here a small rocky outcrop runs into the ocean, during high tide this gully fills with water and from December - February ever year hundreds of Gully sharks come to the area. The shark reach a length of about 1.7m and apparently they are completely harmless. Visitors to the area are often spotted swimming among the sharks, but I personally haven't been brave or stupid enough to try it yet. For sure a must see when visiting Natures Valley.

Central Beach

Central beach is by far the most popular beach in Plettenberg Bay. Every year hundreds of thousands of people flock to Central beach to swim and sunbath, the busiest time of year being December. Although the waters are relatively safe it is always good to keep an eye on your children as drownings have been recorded, in the area after parents neglected to watch their children, some huge Great white sharks have also been spotted in these waters and usually a flag is raised to warn bathers when not to swim. During the peak holiday seasons life guards are on duty. Central beach is situated between the Beacon Isle hotel and Hobby beach.

Ocean Safaris

Africa's Ocean Safaris offer visitors to Plettenberg Bay a unique marine adventure. Get up close and personal with Whales, Dolphins and Seals. This is a must do when in Plettenberg Bay. Things to remember: 1. Motion sickness, it is advisable to take a pill 24h before doing the trip and a tablet an hour before the cruise, being sick at sea for 2hours is no joke. 2. It is best to dress according to the weather on the day you plan to do the cruise, always take a warm or weather proof jacket along as the Plett weather changes very often. 3. Don't forget to take along you camera. 4. The use of tripods, monopods and high heel shoe's are a big no no, so leave them at home. Apart from that all I can say is have fun.

Sea Kayaking

Ocean Blue Adventures is one of the few local companies offering a guided sea kayaking adventure from Central Beach Plettenberg Bay to Robberg Nature Reserve and back. During the trip you will normally encounter Seals and Dolphins and if you happen to be in Plett during the whale season you will see these majestic mammals up close and personal. All equipment is provided on this trip and even beginners like myself easily get used to the kayak and enjoy the trip.