We Found Palm Springs In South Africa

The first Portuguese settlers were named Plettenberg Bay “Bahia Formosa.” It means “the beautiful bay.” The fact that they didn’t think a name like this would be confusing speaks volumes about the place.

“I’m going to the beach in Africa, honey.”
“Oh, which one?”
“The beautiful bay.”

Endless white sandy beaches, rolling waves crashing off spectacular peninsulas, championship golf courses, nature reserves teeming with rhinoceros and other fun animals -- this really is a great holiday playground (and part of the reason why the mink set make it their holiday destination of choice).

Why You Should Visit
A measure of this city's appeal to tourists
AskMen.com score: 83

With 300 sunny days a year and some of the best beaches imaginable, it almost becomes a case of asking what possible reason you could devise not to visit Plettenberg Bay. During the December school holidays it becomes a bit of a battle of the high-range SUVs to get to the shops, as mommies in oversized sunglasses flock to their beachfront palaces. This time of year, Plettenberg Bay is not everyone’s cup of tea; many of the locals will instead be off to smaller and more secluded nearby villages along the spectacular coastline, aptly named the Garden Route.

Outdoorsy types are spoiled for choice here: waterskiing on the Keurbooms River, polo lessons, nature hikes, mountain biking in the Knysna forest (playing spot-the-elephant), working on your golf game, or simply watching dolphins and bikini babes cavort about while sipping a cocktail on your deck. Plettenberg’s the complete holiday town.

Why You Should Live Here
A measure of this city's appeal as a place of residence
AskMen.com score: 77

The diamond-draped chaos that descends upon Plettenberg Bay over the Christmas holidays leaves a hung-over cloud of diesel fumes not long after their New Years celebrations, and the town returns to being a somewhat sleepier hollow. The locals will creep out of their hibernation, and small-town life resumes. Many of the businesses make their livelihood during the holiday period, and locals benefit from the standard low-price deals that keep seasonal businesses alive.

It’s a small town, which means knowing the butcher’s first name, golf handicap and extramarital affairs count. If this more personal way of dealing with your day-to-day affairs pleases you, and the holiday life is one you want every day, why would you live somewhere other than the beautiful bay?





source: askmen.com