What's on in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa through the year

Busy — Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Busy — Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Busy — Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Busy — Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Whale season

  1 Jul – 15 Dec · usually

  The official whale season runs July to December, with southern right whales through the middle of it and migrating humpbacks arriving with their calves from early November. Bryde's whales and dolphins are around the bay year-round. Source ↗

• Festival

  Plett Ocean Festival

  3–12 JulMajor festival

  Ten days of marine science talks, boat-based whale watching, birdwatching and citizen-science outings timed to the middle of the whale season, run by the town's marine conservation groups. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Whale season (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Peak crowds — Plett Arts Festival, Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Plett Arts Festival

  25 Sep – 4 OctMajor festivalCrowded

  Ten days of music, fine art, jazz and land-art installations across town as the southern winter ends, opening with a Twilight Meander through the galleries. Source ↗

Still on: Whale season (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Peak crowds — Plett Arts Festival, Term 3–4 (spring) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Bitou Birding Festival

  23–30 OctBirdlife season

  A week of guided walks and talks built around the wetlands and coastline of the Bitou municipality, run with the local conservation and tourism bodies. Source ↗

Still on: Whale season (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually)), Plett Arts Festival (25 Sep – 4 Oct)

Busy — Matric Rage, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Matric Rage

  27 Nov – 3 DecSchool holidaysCrowded

  Plett is one of South Africa's biggest Rage destinations: a week when school-leavers from across the country take over Central Beach and Cairnbrogie Farm for parties running from early afternoon into the night. Source ↗

Still on: Whale season (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually))

Peak crowds — Matric Rage, Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Whale season (1 Jul – 15 Dec (usually)), Matric Rage (27 Nov – 3 Dec)