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Western Province - Plettenberg Bay |  |
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Location Western Cape province; on the Garden Route coast. ‘Plett' ranks among South Africa's most upmarket seaside resort areas, a charming little town graced by tall trees, fashionable little boutique-type shops, pleasant hotels and guest-houses and some of the finest beaches along the famed Garden Route. It's also renowned for its climate, boasting 300-plus cloud-free days in an average year.
Beaches There are three of these. Beacon Island, linked to one of them by a causeway, supports a large and elegant hotel-timeshare complex. The World Hobie championships are held off Central beach. Special-interest tours include an arts-and-crafts route and a historical route (to the old whaling station, Forest Hall, St Andrew's chapel). Robberg nature reserve Near town, the sanctuary covers a 4-kilometre headland that hosts a myriad seabirds (including white-breasted cormorants and black oystercatchers). The shoreline and surrounding waters are a designated marine reserve. Nelson Bay cave holds some rudimentary relics of Strandloper (early Khoisan) habitation. Keurbooms River nature reserve, about 8 kilometres to the north-east, offers some lovely walks along the riverbank, a canoeing trail, fine bird-watching, angling and watersports. Accommodation is available in the resort's self-catering chalets and the local hotel. Nature's Valley A quite enchanting little resort village (it lies within the De Vasselot nature reserve) surrounded by forest and mountain, tucked away beneath the Groot River pass. Pleasant beach, and fine views from the top of the hill. Tsitsikamma national park To the east of Plettenberg Bay, the park comprises a long (80-kilometre) strip of shoreline and narrow hinterland of fynbos (heath-type vegetation) and forest rich in ferns, lilies and wild orchids. Many rivers and streams discharge into the ocean; the offshore waters are a marine reserve that hosts whales and dolphins, and offer something of a mecca for scuba-divers; the shoreline rock pools and their colourful life forms are an endless source of fascination. The famed Otter trail runs through the park. Self-catering accommodation available.
Knysna lies along the coast to the west; Uniondale inland to the north. |
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PLETTENBERG BAY Western Cape
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