Plett’s famous beaches are a mecca — and not just in summer. Image: Supplied
The Garden Route town was one of the big winners at the World Travel Awards – and it’s all thanks to its beaches.
Plett’s famous beaches are a mecca — and not just in summer. Image: Supplied
Famous for its sparkling, seemingly endless beaches, Plettenberg Bay was honoured at the 2020 World Travel Awards for having the most dazzling beaches in Africa.
The town was voted Africa’s leading beach destination at the annual awards which were announced this week.
The World Travel Awards conduct a year-long search for the world’s best travel, tourism and hospitality destinations and brands. Votes are cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee with the most votes in a particular category named the winner.
Top contenders for 2020’s Leading Beach Destination award included Cape Town.
Plett Tourism acting CEO Patty Butterworth said this was the town’s 11th consecutive nomination – a prestigious honour in itself.
“With 20km of pristine coastline, and two areas of the bay classified as Marine Protected Areas, it is one of the few scientifically identified ‘Hope Spots’ in the world.”
It is therefore no surprise that Plett has continuously been nominated. With world-class tourism products and services, a pristine, protected coastline, indigenous forests and a wide range of outdoor activity options, the area has won numerous national and international accolades.
Plett is home to six internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, and the town’s estuaries and lagoon are just as popular with visitors.
The bay iself is characterised by an abundance of marine life, including humpback, Southern right, beluga and killer whales, as well as common, bottlenose and humpback dolphins.
Annual marine visitors may also include migratory sharks during the sardine run, manta rays, African penguins and Cape fur seals.
The bay is protected on one side by the magnificent and geologically significant Robberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site.
On the other side of the bay are indigenous rain forests and the majestic Tsitsikamma Mountains.
Butterworth said Plett was especially popular with holidaymakers because of its moderate climate, even in winter. The average winter temperature is a more-than-bearable 17C and the average summer temperature a balmy 27 degrees, making the town an ideal beach destination all year round.
“For Plettenberg Bay it’s not about just being Africa’s leading beach destination,” Butterworth said.
“It is also about being recognised as a world-class tourism destination recognising the importance of maintaining a careful balance between providing visitors with inspiring experiences they desire, while preserving and maintaining our valuable natural assets.
“We encourage guests to respect the beautiful destination that many of us call home, to stay safe during their trip and ‘leave no trace’ by being mindful of our environment.”