If strictly visiting Plettenberg Bay there is no need to rent a car. However, it may be necessary to rent a car to reach the bay from George Airport or other locations. Many of the attractions and beaches are within walking distance and the town is small enough to navigate on foot. If you plan to travel to other destinations then a car would be necessary. Plettenberg Bay is easily accessible by car from anywhere in South Africa by using the N2 Highway. It is around 6 6-hour drive from Cape Town and 2.5 hours from Port Elizabeth.   

Walking around the beautiful Plettenberg Bay is a great way to see all of its sights and spectacular views. Getting around on foot, especially in the heart of this small coastal town is easy to do, the center of town sits on top of a hill looking over the stunning beaches below. The town’s location offers visitors some gorgeous views and lush greenery while taking a leisurely stroll. There are many hikes and short walks in the area especially through Robberg Peninsula. For more experienced hikers there are 2 and 4-hour walks along a coastal trail with spectacular views of Plettenberg Bay and out toward Beach Island Hotel. 

Yes, riding a bike in Plettenberg Bay is possible and there are bicycles for hire from various bike shops in Plett. Cycling is a great way to get around town and is also very affordable. Riding a bike around Plettenberg allows you to go at your own pace and enjoy the sights along the way. Mountain biking on the Harkerville Cycle Route is a popular activity as it is a great place for mountain biking and a good workout.  

Plettenberg Bay is considered a very safe destination to visit with a very low crime rate. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

The Market Square is a large shopping center complex located within the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay and hosts Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Clicks, Cape Union Mart, PNA, Mr. Price, and 3 restaurants. The layout is in the form of a strip mall offering shoppers a wide selection of shops including fresh produce, clothing, and homeware. There are around 50 retail stores offering a comprehensive range of quality products including jewelry, clothing, shoes, and beachwear. 

There is a craft and farmer’s market held every Saturday from 8 am until noon. It is a great place to shop for local produce, coffee, pastries, and prepared meals. There are also stalls cooking breakfast and lunch options and other stalls selling unique hand-crafted items. There is live music and a place for kids to play.  Plettenberg Bay offers a number of unique shops including Mellvilles Center which is home to the Spar, a charity shop, PNA, and a quaint little coffee shop. Milkwood Center is located on Central Beach is host to Ocean Safaris, Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking, The Yellowwood Spur, Fat Fish Seafood Restaurant, Live Green wholesome fresh food, and a beach hire/sales shop.

The Plettenberg Mall caters to everything a shopper needs with a variety of great stores and dining options to choose from including the state-of-the-art Checkers store. There is a coffee shop, a restaurant, and other entertainment options. 

Old Nick Village in Plettenberg Bay is a shopping landmark in town featuring an eclectic collection of shops that are owned by creative manufacturers, designers, and curators. A sensory experience for the entire family, it was built in 1880 and has a long and rich trading history. There is a Mid Week Market held every Wednesday with homegrown fruits and vegetables, ethnically farmed meat and dairy as well as other local, natural, and homemade products. 

There are some great markets in Hermanus worth exploring. The markets are a great place to shop for local food with an amazing array of fresh organic produce, homemade delicacies, artisan bread, probiotic yogurts, handmade cheeses, smoked fish, happy hen eggs, wheat-free bakes, arts and crafts, as well as live music. Held at the Hermanus Cricket Club every Saturday from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. 

The streets in downtown Hermanus are brimming with markets and boutique stores, it’s a good place for a stroll and to do some window shopping. 

The official language spoken in Plettenberg Bay is English, which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. There are officially eleven languages in South Africa with Afrikaans being one of the most popular along with English and nine ethnic languages, of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Plettenberg Bay features an extremely mild Mediterranean maritime temperate climate with very little rainfall or extreme temperatures. It is a year-round destination with a varying climate with sunny, pleasant summers and mild, wet winters. Plett is a popular destination during the summertime and holidays throughout the year. November and December the Plett Rage event takes center stage each year, with massive crowds of students attending the festival with an amazing lineup of the best local bands and top DJs. During midsummer from December to February, it becomes a party town with large crowds visiting the beaches, bars, and restaurants with a buzzing nightlife scene. November through February is also a great time for birding.  From June to November visitors can go on boat trips to see the resident pods of dolphins and some of the best whale watching in the country. February and March are great months to visit for a quiet seaside escape with great warm weather and sunshine-filled days with fewer crowds. Autumn brings the riches of wine harvesting to the region. There are also a large number of events held throughout the year including the Festival of Lights in November, Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge in December, and the Plett Open Golf Tournament in March. 

The currency of Plettenberg Bay is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

Plettenberg Bay is nestled along the beautiful coastline of the iconic Garden Route, a quaint coastal town known for its great restaurants. There are a large number of restaurants to choose from including cozy cafes, fine dining restaurants, and beachside bars. Plett is a food lovers paradise with many diverse restaurants found in the heart of town or along the beautiful beaches each one offering its own unique flavors and dining experiences. The restaurants in this region offer some of the best food in the country. Each dining establishment has a sumptuous menu where guests can dine on mouthwatering dishes, savor local flavors, and immerse themselves in some spectacular cuisine and views. Plettenberg’s culinary delights include seafood due to its coastal location serving up the freshest seafood in the region, particularly its famous wild oysters picked off the Plett coast. The location of many of the restaurants along the coast are the main attractions in town with quaint cafes, charming taverns, seafood diners, and more. The restaurants offer local and international cuisine and sipping sundowners while watching the sunset is another major bonus. Hake is a popular fish dish, Lamb is a popular meat in South Africa, and the free-range beef is simply delicious. Plett is known for its rich diversity of superb local produce and fine dining offering over 50 eateries that range from African tented lodges to upmarket seafood restaurants with ocean views. 

The real fun begins in Plett after the sun sets in this coastal town! Enjoying a few sundowners after a busy day in Plettenberg Bay is practically a pass time! There are many waterfront establishments where visitors can relax under the late-day sunshine and sip on a cocktail while soaking in a spectacular sunset. Sundowners are a true South African staple that many locals and tourists partake in, enjoy a few sundowners with a light bite to eat at a beachfront bar and watch the sun go down. The nightlife in Plett is varied with excellent restaurants to choose from, stylish cocktail bars, and some charming local hangouts are just a few options. Many of the evening establishments in town feature outdoor seating so guests can enjoy the balmy weather and beautiful beach views. There are several places to visit in the heart of town on Main Street in Plett. Partygoers can also choose from pool parties, discotheques, DJ Nights, pub crawls, trance festivals and so much more. There are lots of happy hour offers in town, and DJs playing great music, and a lot of festivals and concerts filled by the younger generation. 

In case of an emergency dial 112 or 999 for local police, an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals:Mediclinic Plettenberg Bay Hospital tel. 27-86-177-7440