Perfect winelands hideaway for small birthdays & retreats The Bothey is “spoiled self-catering” in spacious suites
Why nature lovers head to Plett Ocean Festival every winter
What to book, what not to miss and why July is the best time to goLast updated: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Most events ask you to watch – Plett Ocean Festival asks you to take part. Tracking marine wildlife with a shark spotter, contributing to citizen science projects, or catching the action at the new Winter Surf Fest. The programme offers 10 days of experiences shaped by one of South Africa's richest marine ecosystems. Now in its fifth year, the annual event returns from Friday, 3 July to Sunday, 12 July 2026 with many behind-the-scenes experiences that reveal a side of Plettenberg Bay most visitors never get to see.
Robberg Nature Reserve. Image: Plett Ocean Festival
Along the Garden Route, July is exactly when the ocean becomes most exciting.
It’s one of South Africa's most celebrated whale-watching destinations;
