Swimming with seals? Pre-lockdown Nadine would’ve said, “No thanks, not for me.” As much as I love the ocean and the many wonders below its surface, I’m not into high-adrenaline adventure activities. Post-lockdown Nadine (well, Level One to be exact) has a different outlook and says, “Life is short, let’s make new memories and just do it!”.
This was to be one of many memorable experiences I would enjoy with a fabulous group of ladies on a media trip to explore the Garden Route gems of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. It had been years since I had stayed in either of these popular holiday towns and I was excited to discover what they had to offer.
Our road trip along the world-renowned Garden Route was an absolute breeze in the stylish and ever-capable Ford Everest, and before we knew it, we arrived at the 5-star The Bungalow, Plett, the epitome of laid-back luxury on the beachfront and our home for 2 nights. Read more about this oceanside gem in a future article (subscribe to my blog for updates).
The idyllic seaside town of Plettenberg Bay, affectionately known as Plett, recently scooped the title of ‘Africa’s Leading Beach Destination’ in the 2020 World Travel Awards. But there is more to Plett than just the beach as we discovered during our 2-night stay. This destination offers a myriad of activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
What’s SUP? SUP Keurbooms River and Champagne Cruise
Our launch point was at the Plettenberg, A Forever Resort, where we met Mark for a rubber duck cruise up the deep ravine at the mouth of the Keurbooms River.
Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site, is a nature lover’s paradise. As we glided up the river, I felt all my troubles melting away as I took the time to enjoy the pristine beauty passing by. It was just what the doctor ordered after months of Covid-madness.
Cruising along at a gentle pace, Mark pointed out the lush indigenous forest with beautiful trees such as Outeniqua yellowwoods and massive stinkwoods. The reserve is also a haven for many bird species such as the giant kingfisher and Knysna loerie.
Mooring at a sandy cove called Whiskey Creek, Mark gave us a short lesson on how to ‘SUP’ or Stand Up Paddleboard. I had SUP’ed once before and was confident I could manage it again.
After wobbling around for a bit, I decided to kneel and paddle and when my legs began to feel like jelly, I sat down and found my zen spot. No experience is needed, and it is a fun and safe activity for the whole family.
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Image credit – Nomvelo Masango -
It happened to be International Champagne Day (I kid you not!), so it was fitting that we ended our SUP session with bubbles and time in the sun on the sandy beach, giving us a chance to take in the natural beauty and tranquillity of this magical place.
For more information and to book your experience, visit SUP Keurbooms on their website www.standuppaddling.co.za or call +27 (0) 60 998 1518.
Take a hike! Robberg Nature Reserve
No visit to Plettenberg Bay would be complete without hiking Robberg Nature Reserve. Situated about 8kms south of the town, this magnificent nature reserve is also a national monument and World Heritage Site.
More than 20 years had passed since I hiked Robberg, and I was keen to rediscover this beautiful nature reserve. We set out after breakfast with the peninsula and ocean views shrouded in a thick mist.
After a short while, I realised how unfit I am. Walking for miles on a flat surface is very different to hiking on a trail that has its fair share of steep, narrow paths. This did nothing to deter the many runners that raced past us at top speed.
Fit or not, the hike is very much worth it and with a choice of three trails, there is no excuse not to experience this pristine nature reserve. The shortest trail is The Gap at 2.1km and three in our group decided to do The Witsand trail at 5.5km. The remaining three (very brave) ladies hiked The Point at 9.2km.
Whichever route you choose, you will be rewarded with the most breathtaking views, weather permitting. Perfect photo opportunities are found everywhere! Seals lazing on the rocks far below, beautiful fynbos, sightings of dassies, various bird species, whales, dolphins and perhaps the rare blue duiker, crashing waves along the beach and caves dating back to the Stone Age.
Being a thalassophile, walking down the massive sand dunes towards the ocean was a highlight for me. For me, nothing beats spending time in nature, especially at the beach.
The sun came out towards the end of our walk and we took some time to take in the awe-inspiring ocean views from one of the vantage points. I highly recommend that you take it slow so that you can truly immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.
Remember to use your SAN Parks Wild Card for free entry and follow the seal signs so that you stay on the trail.
View their website for more information >> www.capenature.co.za/reserves/robberg-nature-reserve/
Up, close and personal! Swimming with Seals
This must be the most adventurous activity I have done in a long time, and I loved every minute of it! The experienced team at Offshore Adventures made sure we had a fun and safe time from start to end.
We met up with our guide Rynhardt, aka Red, at their Central Beach office. Following strict Covid-19 hygiene protocols, he assisted us in getting kitted out with full wetsuits, masks, snorkels and flippers. A short walk to the beach launch area, Jaco, skipper and owner of Offshore Adventures, welcomed us with a brief explanation of what we could expect during our 90-minute adventure.
First up – a thrilling adrenaline pumping beach launch into the water which had me screaming with (mostly) delight. The boat ride along the scenic coastline to the 8,000+ Cape fur seal colony is simply spectacular.
I couldn’t believe that I would soon come face to face with these inquisitive creatures. As we neared Robberg Nature Reserve, we spotted an enormous elephant seal casually lazing amongst our noisy welcoming committee, content to fatten up before heading south to his home.
The safety briefing made me feel more confident and we soon slipped overboard and swam towards the seals. If you feel uncomfortable or tired from swimming, you are welcome to hop back on board at any time.
Swimming with seals was the ultimate highlight for me! The younger ones love to get up, close and personal. Their wide-eyed stares and faces are too cute, and as they swim around you, diving in and out of the water and showing off, they playfully nudge you when you least expect it.
Keep in mind that you are in their territory, so it’s important to respect them in their natural environment and not touch them. You are only allowed in the water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
I was squealing and laughing with sheer joy each time a seal pup came face to face with me. It doesn’t get more exhilarating and exciting than this! I cannot wait to return with my family so that we can experience this awesome activity together
For more information and bookings, visit their website >> www.offshoreadventures.co.za or call +27 (0) 82 829 0809.
Calling all thrill-seekers! Knysna Ziplines
Even though I am not into high-adrenaline adventures, I was hoping to glide over the treetops with Knysna Ziplines. Unfortunately, this was not to be due to wet and windy conditions on the day. Safety comes first and is of utmost importance to the professional Zipline team. They kept us up to date with current weather conditions and at one stage, the weather cleared but just as quickly, it changed, and our booking was cancelled.
If you are afraid of heights, you may want to give this a skip. The multi ziplines are among the longest you will experience and with heights of over 200 metres, you’ll crisscross the gorge with breathtaking views over the Kranshoek SANParks picnic site. After watching the video on their website, the adrenaline rush when soaring at high speeds above the gorge must be out of this world. An unforgettable experience for sure!
Please note that bookings are essential. They are not operating at full capacity due to Covid-19 regulations. * Images sourced from the Knysna Ziplines website.
For bookings and information, visit their website >> www.knysnaziplines.co.za
Email >> knysna@saforestadventures.co.za
Tel >> +27 (0) 74 492 5603 / +27 (0) 79 495 3987
Disclosure: I was invited by Cape Summer Villas to stay at The Bungalow, Plett and experience adventure activities for review purposes. All views and images are my own unless stated otherwise. The Ford Everest we travelled in was kindly sponsored by Ford South Africa >> www.ford.co.za
What a fabulous adventure. You’ve captured the excitement and thrill if it all perfectly.
Thanks so much Pat 🙂 The entire trip was fantastic and filled with fun experiences and adventure. It was wonderful to rediscover this beautiful part of the Garden Route again. Stay tuned for my next article about Knysna.