Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

ADVENTURE AND SPORTHiking: More than 50 km of hiking trails radiate from the village, the routes mapped outthrough coastal forests and fynbos vegetation.Water-sport: The surf, beach and lagoon are popular for a number of reasons – swimming,angling and canoeing.PLETTENBERG BAYThe attractive upmarket holidaydestination of Plettenberg Bay ischaracterised by long stretchesof sandy beaches and safeswimming waters. The beauty ofthe rocky coastline, the lagoonand the ancient forests add tothe area’s popularity. The baywas named Bahia Formosa(“Beautiful Bay”) by a Portugesenavigator in 1576. Almost200 years later, theGovernor of the Cape, Baron vanPlettenberg, on an expeditioninto the then unexplored interior,decided to name the bay afterhimself.His expedition also discovered the forests filled with usable timber and a woodcutter’s postwas established soon after.ADVENTURE AND SPORTAdventure at Keurbooms River Nature Reserve: The reserve has several nature trails,totalling approximately 5 km, which offer superb views over Plettenberg Bay and the lushvalley. Mountain bikes and boats can be hired at the campsite. The Keurbooms Canoe Trail isan easy 7-km, two-hour paddle through the Keurbooms Nature Reserve.Angling: Nature’s Valley, (about 35 km east of Plettenberg Bay), Keurbooms, Lookout Rocks,Beacon Island and Robberg Beach all are great angling spots. Deep-sea anglers can expectto catch tuna, hake and calamari.Black-water Tubing: Private operators offer tubing adventures down the Storms River, about70 km east of Plettenberg Bay.Boat Cruises: The boats travel out to the bay where visiting sea creatures, such as dolphinsand whales, can be observed.Bungee-jumping: The highest commercial bungee jump in the world is situated at BloukransRiver Bridge, about 50 km east of Plettenberg Bay.118