Plettenberg Bay - NATURAL ECOLOGYBird, plant, animal and marine life exist as Nature intended along The Garden Route. Plettenberg Bay offers not only some unique and rewarding opportunities to view this rich tapestry, but is the perfect base to stay whilst exploring the other scenic areas and opportunities in the vicinity.
Fynbos and FlowersThe small Cape Floral Kingdom between Cape Town and Grahamstown (0.04% of the world's land mass) contains 8500 different flowering plants. This is more than is found in the Entire Northern Hemisphere. There are 27 common species of Ericas in this area, a great many wild proteas and an extensive list of geophytes. Indigenous Forests.Although the largest tract of natural forests in South Africa, only 65 000Ha of the original forests remain today. The Outeniqua yelowwood or kalander is a true forest giant reaching over 50m in height. Other magnificent specimens are the ironwood and stinkwood trees. Our forests also harbour many species of ferns including the seven week fern, prolific in the Tsitsikamma area, as well as a profusion of colourful lichens on rocks and trees and many species of mushrooms. Marine EnvironmentMore than 100 species of fish are known to occur along this coast. Fish found on the reefs are highly susceptible to exploitation and marine reserves play an important part in restocking overfished areas. Some of the finest soft coral reefs in the world are found here with sponges, starfish and many shellfish including our unique Pansy Shell.Common marine animals are dolphins, whales and seals. During winter months the spectacular Southern Right Whales are resident in our bay when they arrive up from the southern oceans to calve. |
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