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

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

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: December summer holidays (10 Dec – 15 Jan (usually))

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

Nothing new starts in February.

Peak crowds — Easter school holidays, Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa

• Holiday

  Easter school holidays

  15 Mar – 20 Apr · usuallyCrowded

  The break between the first and second school terms, wrapped around Easter, is the second family rush of the year, with Easter weekend itself the busiest days on the beaches. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Easter school holidays, Term 1–2 (autumn) break in South Africa

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Easter school holidays (15 Mar – 20 Apr (usually))

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

Nothing new starts in May.

Peak crowds — Knysna Oyster Festival, Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa

• Festival

  Knysna Oyster Festival

  26 Jun – 12 Jul · usuallyFood & drink festivalCrowdedBook early

  Ten days of oysters in Knysna, 35 km west along the Garden Route, with farm tours, shucking contests, the Knysna Forest Marathon and a cycle tour. Beds in both towns fill for the race weekend. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Knysna Oyster Festival, Term 2–3 (winter) break in South Africa

• 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 ↗

Still on: Knysna Oyster Festival (26 Jun – 12 Jul (usually))

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 OctCrowded

  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, December summer holidays

• Holiday

  December summer holidays

  10 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  From mid-December to the second week of January inland families pour in and Plett turns into a party town: beaches packed, restaurants booked out and accommodation at its highest prices. Source ↗

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