Plettenberg Bay Research - When There Are Sharks

In 2019, I moved to Plettenberg Bay, and my life changed forever. My first hike on the Robberg Peninsula was a revelation. I spotted a great white shark: an experience that set the course for my future. Shortly after, I assisted a scientist in studying white shark presence and behaviour along the peninsula.

Plett, with its rich marine biodiversity, became my haven. From the stingrays in the Keurboomstrand estuary to the majestic southern right and humpback whales migrating past, and even the delicate nudibranchs in rock pools, I was inspired to further my postgraduate studies and immerse myself in the world of sharks and ...more

Plettenberg Bay, 31 July, 2024 – As white shark season kicks off along the coast, Shark Spotters are on high alert, ensuring the safety of beachgoers in Plettenberg Bay. With recent sightings indicating the presence of white sharks in the area, the Shark Spotters team urges the public to exercise caution and adhere to lifeguard instructions when enjoying the ocean.

The season's first confirmed sighting of a Great White Shark occurred at Robberg 1 on July 19th, 2024, at 10:16 am, reported by our vigilant Shark Spotter, Taylin. This emphasises the importance of remaining vigilant ...more

Nicky Namntu, a dedicated field manager for Plett Shark Spotters, recently had the privilege of attending the 7th Southern African Shark and Ray Symposium. Below, Nicky shares her unforgettable journey, from her childhood curiosity about the ocean to her thrilling experience diving with sharks at Aliwal Shoal, KZN.

“I was super excited, but at the same time, I was super nervous because we were heading to the Shark & Ray Symposium in Durban where I would be amongst the world’s most amazing and hardworking people: marine biologists, researchers, and explorers. On the first day, I felt like a kid in a candy store ...more

In the serene waters of Plettenberg Bay, Shark Spotter Tyrone found unexpected solace – surfing became his anchor amidst life’s storms. Guided by Adopt A Surfer X The Impowrd Program, his journey unveils the transformative magic of riding waves.

“When I first hit the waves, I was like, ‘This is gonna be tough!’ But hey, I love a challenge!” recalls Tyrone with a grin.

With Brandon’s coaching, Tyrone conquered his first wave, a feat of pure joy and triumph. Yet, the journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. “Man, those big boards were tough to handle! And what’s this ‘duck dive’ thing? I felt like a confused ...more

This Sunday morning… pop down to Central Beach for some Watersmart fun. Join the Plett Lifeguards as they give some essential instruction in staying safe while you're on the beach, in the water and on the rocks this summer in Plett.

Date: Sunday 14 Jan 2024
Time: 10am to 2pm
Venue: Central Beach, Plett

Lifeguards are on duty on the following beaches from 7 am to 7 pm this summer:

Lifeguards are also on duty on the following beaches from 10 am to 6 pm over the holidays:

Shark spotters are on duty at the following places from 7 am to 7 pm during the festive season:

IN AN OCEAN EMERGENCY CALL 082 990 5975

The Bitou Municipality Council has resolved to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Plett Shark Spotters Non-Profit Organisation – a move that will see holidaymakers feel safer in Bitou’s Blue Flag beaches. 

The council resolved this week to contribute an amount of R800 000 towards the employment costs of the 14 Plett Shark Spotters on an annual basis for a period of 3 years. The Plett Shark Spotters was established through a partnership with the municipality, Plett Shark Action Group (PSAG) and the Cape Town Shark Spotters in November 2022. They have been ...more

24 September 2023

23 September 2023

The South African Weather Services has issued multiple severe weather warnings from Sat 23 to Monday 25 September 2023 for large parts of South Africa, including the Garden Route and Plettenberg Bay.

Take the warnings issued by the SAWS seriously and take precautions to keep your families, property, pets and live stock safe - rather be safe, than sorry. A steep upper air trough west of SA is developing into a Cut-Off Low pressure system (COL). The system is expected to rapidly intensify into a severe storm over the next 36 hours and bring adverse weather conditions to large ...more

Ten years ago, The Burnt Orange was to be found tucked away behind a water park in Plettenberg Bay. However, five years ago, they moved to Keurboomstrand and, according to co-owner Michelle Chant, the move has been a good one: “This location is good for business because a lot of tourists travelling between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape always make a stop here for a good meal.” says Michelle Chant.

Michelle and Gareth Gardiner are mother and son, and business partners. The inspiration for the business was Gareth, a well-travelled and qualified professional chef who is best known for his private chefing. He has ...more

Featured image: Nicky Namtu by Julia Evans of Daily Maverick

This women’s month, we take a close look at Nicky Namntu, who is a Field Manager with Plett Shark Spotters. Nicky admits that it took her a while to get where she is now, and that she had to dig deep to find a career path she really loves and has passion for.

“After high school, I enrolled at South Cape College for business management which I never completed because it was not my passion. From there I worked in the retail industry for seven years but that was also not a career path I wanted to pursue,” she explains. 

Choosing a career path should be one of ...more

Over the past decade, Robberg Nature Reserve and swimming with Robberg’s colony of Cape fur seals has grown in popularity and it’s not difficult to see why: in the shallow, clear and sheltered waters on the leeward coastline of Robberg, the seals are in their natural element - playful and engaged - making for a unique and unforgettable marine adventure in South African waters. 

Offshore Adventures has been operating seal swimming excursions to Robberg since December 2010, offering many visitors the opportunity to get a breathtaking look at South Africa’s marine wildlife. Plettenberg Bay’s ...more

The Bitou Municipality welcomes Dr. Sara Andreotti and her team in Plett as she introduces the ‘Shark Safe Beaches’ discussion – a talk about white shark behaviour and how to reduce the chance of negative encounters. 

The white shark population around the South African coastline declined rapidly over the past two decades, due to a combination of the use of lethal net and drumlines, climate change, orca presence, overfishing of important food sources and poaching. Nevertheless, some white sharks are still sighted in Plett. What we need to ...more