Welcome to Plett during the winter season! Visit South Africa’s favourite playground to unwind, explore and create unforgettable memories while enjoying all the oceanic wonders of the bay.
The eagerly anticipated third Plett Ocean Festival is scheduled to take place from 21 to 30 June 2024.
Plettenberg Bay thrives during the winter season, offering mild weather and abundant marine life. The festival season coincides with the presence of whales in the bay, ideal ocean conditions and the congregation of resident seals, dolphins, sharks and marine birds.
The Plett Ocean Festival serves as a vibrant celebration of Plett’s most cherished treasures – pristine beaches, a varied coastline and diverse marine life – while fostering crucial discussions on marine conservation, including a three-day Marine Science Symposium that is scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 June, hosted at the iconic Beacon Island Resort.
The symposium will feature 27 fascinating speakers, including Dr Els Vermuelen of the MRI Whale Unit, Plett Shark Spotters, Liziwe McDaid on the impacts and consequences of offshore oil and gas exploration and Justin Blake of the BBC Natural History Unit.
Presentations range from dolphins and whales, sharks and rays, estuaries and coastlines, penguins, turtles and plovers – addressing both fascinating findings and the importance of research and conservation efforts.
A highlight of the programme is the return of Zandile Ndhlovu – aka Zandi the Mermaid – as both presenter and MC of the symposium. Zandi is a dynamic speaker, ocean advocate and South Africa’s first black female freediving instructor.
Since hosting the inaugural symposium in 2022 and again in 2023, Zandile has continued her remarkable journey: publishing her first book, participating in Discovery Channel’s Shark Week special, Shark Women, being a nominee in the MIPAD (Most Influential People of African Descent) Awards and being recognised in the BBC 100 Women List of 2023, alongside influential figures like Michelle Obama.
Zandile will present at the Marine Science Symposium: ‘Agents of Change’ as she works towards introducing the youth of ocean-facing communities to the wonders of the ocean.
As a destination for marine conservation, Plettenberg Bay has a distinctive reputation: six international Blue Flag beaches, two Blue Flag boats, a Mission Blue Hope Spot and a Whale Heritage Site.
The town is surrounded by national parks and marine protected areas. Notably, the festival aims to engage a diverse audience: families, nature lovers, conservationists, students and more. You’re invited to ‘come curious’…
However, fostering curiosity about the ocean and its inhabitants extends beyond the symposium, as the festival will offer a range of family-friendly outdoor activities for all, including a rocky shore exploration, reef cleanup, pelagic birding trip, fishing competition, scuba diving, fun run and, best of all, a shark eggcase hunt!
In addition to the festival highlights, this time of year is popular for whale watching and marine safaris. Visitors can watch from the shore or hop onto a boat. They can visit the Robberg Seal Colony on a hike or an oceanic excursion. There’s the opportunity to view dolphins from a boat, beach or kayak.
As is expected of Plett, there’s always more. There’s every reason to escape to Plett this winter for the ocean festival!
Festival director Cindy Wilson-Trollip sums it up: ‘The Plett Ocean Festival is committed to promoting awareness and appreciation for our oceans, fostering a sense of shared environmental responsibility and encouraging Plett community engagement.’
Plett Ocean Festival endeavours to be an inclusive, unparalleled event celebrating the conservation and sustainable enjoyment of Plettenberg Bay’s marine resources.
To book tickets or for information, visit the Plett Ocean Festival website and for general festival enquiries, contact Cindy Wilson-Trollip on 044 533 4065 or [email protected].
To stay in the loop, follow the Plett Ocean Festival on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Also read:
Plettenberg Bay receives prestigious Whale Heritage Site status
Picture: Supplied