Minke Witteveen, a Ph.D. student at the Nelson Mandela University talks to Dr. Ashley Scarlett about her research that focuses on the ecological and social aspects of whale-watching and marine tourism in Plettenberg Bay. 

Find out more about Minke

Guidelines for travelling under Level 1:

1.      Keep your mask/face covering on at all times in all forms of public and passenger transport (bus, taxi, cab, aeroplane, train, etc.)

2.      Masks must be worn correctly, covering your nose and mouth, and must be put on and removed safely by the straps/strings/bands.

3.      If you are driving alone or with members of your household, remember to keep your mask on at petrol stations, toll gates, and other stops along your journey where you come into contact with others.

4.      Keep a bottle of sanitiser on you at all times.

5.      Keep a distance of 1.5 metres from others, in queues and other public places. If someone is standing ...more

A blog by Wandisile Sebezo.

A Quadrant Media Advisory Production. Directed by Koos Roets.

As South Africa sets about to celebrate Heritage Month, a new short film about traditional Khoisan dance, fusing with modern day hip hop dance is about to be shot right here in our coastal town, in a Griqua settlement just 15 minutes away from Plett.

Talking of all things heritage, one can say the first nations people of Southern Africa, collectively known as Khoe-San/Khoisan have been largely forgotten and side-lined to the margins of ...more

A blog by Wandisile Sebezo.

Almost six months ago the world stopped, took a deep breath and sighed – bracing itself for the unknown as a corona virus was ravaging all those in its wake.

The music was turned off, lights stopped glittering and the outdoor was unfamiliar. No bookings, no check-ins and no rushing to catch that flight at the airport. Life as we know it, changed dramatically.

But as we’re adjusting well into level two of the nationwide lockdown, South Africans are saying andizi (I’m not coming), not anymore, it’s time to get the groove back.

While international ...more

1. You can’t just give up halfway through. Once you hike halfway to your destination, you suddenly realize you have to make your way back or you’ll be eaten by a wild pig. Don’t get eaten by the wild pigs.

2. One step at a time. You’ve dragged yourself up the trail and are standing at the foot of a mountain. The rock you’re climbing up is slick from the thousands who have already climbed it, and all you’ve got to hold onto. It’s one of the most mentally and physically challenging ways you can spend 30 minutes. The trick is to ignore the magnitude of it all, and take it one step at a time. And whatever you ...more

SA National Parks Week is back with a bang - you can explore the various sections of the Garden Route National Park around Plett from Tsitsikamma to Wilderness and never tire of our exceptional natural beauty!

South African National Parks offers South African citizens free entry to our national parks from 16 - 20 November 2020.

SANParks has postponed the free access week to November due to the Covid-19 alert level 2 regulations.

Established wine regions often carry an allegiance to their long history with great heritage, but every now and again you find a hidden pocket of beautiful wines that break away from that mould. Guided by fresh thinking and the desire to learn, the vineyards speckled along the Plett Winelands are creating their own traditions from scratch and this burgeoning ‘bubbly’ region has reason for celebration.

Arguably recognized as South Africa’s smallest wine growing region with only 58 hectares of vineyards, the area is producing amazing Methode Cap Classique wines (MCC) that are rivaling their older and more established challengers.

Hot on the heels of the more well established, Newstead Lund ...more

Dear members of the Plett Tourism Industry,

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a tourism economy crisis globally. In the US, the COVID-19 impact point currently sits at less 60% for international tourism in 2020. For South Africa, this would be a welcome figure. As we are all well-aware, our domestic tourism in SA is expected to recover more quickly. It offers the main chance for driving recovery, particularly in SA where the sector supports many jobs and businesses.

The direct impact of this crisis is being felt through the global tourism industry. Working alongside key stakeholders like ...more

A blog by Wandisile Sebezo.

Our seaside town joined in on the worldwide dance sensation when a few 100 Plettonians descended on the Main Street to dance along to the upbeat gospel song.

Jerusalema, a song by South African producer and DJ Master KG, features vocalist Nomcebo. It was released in November 2019 and has since been a hit globally.

On our local end, organisers of the event last Saturday hoped to attract upwards of 1000 Plett peeps all in effort to revive our spirits, and declare for all to know that Plett is open for business; and after the last five months of being locked indoors and ...more

Plett has been nominated as Africa's Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Awards for the 11th year running.

You can help Plett win!

Simply vote online at https://www.pletttourism.com/vote

PLETT VOLUNTEERS

The Bitou Covid 19 Response Team is now working closely with the newly constituted Plett Volunteers, an organisation started by Rob Bokelmann and the tireless individuals who have been coordinating food aid as a platform for the recruitment and coordination of volunteers, the sharing of information and the sourcing of funding to keep this important initiative, alive. 

The platform was obviously created with the current pandemic as context, but with the vision that it can be used for future humanitarian needs, as well.

The Cape Summer Villas #TeeOff4Tourism Challenge (a golf day awareness campaign and fundraiser) took place on the 8th of August 2020, at the Goose Valley Country Club in Plettenberg Bay.

The prime goal of Cape Summer Villas #TeeOff4Tourism Golf Day was to raise funds for the procurement of food parcels for Plettenberg Bay hospitality workers, many of whom are sole breadwinners.

Cape Summer Villas accommodation establishments in Plett include Sky Villa Boutique Hotel at Baron's View overlooking the bay and Keurbooms lagoon, and The Bungalow on Hobie Beach.

The Grand prize on the day was 5 nights stay within the Cape Summer Villas Boutique ...more