Plettenberg Bay has earned the prestigious title of being the '7th whale wonder of the world' as it joins the elite group of only seven Whale Heritage Sites across the globe!
The Whale Heritage Site program, an initiative established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) and supported by World Animal Protection, recognizes destinations across the globe where coastal communities collaborate to safeguard, honor, and celebrate cetaceans and their habitats.
Located on the Garden Route between the Tsitsikamma and Robberg Marine Protected Areas, Plettenberg Bay provides a nurturing environment for a diverse range of marine wildlife, including iconic species such as Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Killer Whales (Orcas), and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. The region is renowned for its ecological richness, encompassing the Tsitsikamma Mountains, the Indian Ocean coastline, native forests, and unique fynbos vegetation.
Inspired by the 2022 Plett Ocean Festival, Rob Smith, a local wildlife enthusiast and photographer, took it upon himself to explore the Whale Heritage Site program for Plettenberg Bay. The Plett Ocean Festival serves as a catalyst for fostering appreciation and preservation of the region's invaluable marine ecosystem, while research projects based in Plettenberg Bay engage in year-round conservation endeavors of great significance.
Plettenberg Bay now joins The Bluff and Algoa Bay as the third Whale Heritage Site in South Africa, and is one of only seven fully accredited Whale Heritage Sites worldwide.
Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth, is delighted by the outcome of Plettenberg Bay’s candidacy, “This is wonderful news for the future of our local tourism industry and travelers wishing to visit these gentle giants that visit our shores. We understand that very few destinations have been granted this accolade, and we are thrilled to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these fine marine locations. This is a huge achievement for all of Plettenberg Bay and the conservation of our area.”
Photo Credit: @raggycharters; shared by @plettoceanfestival/ Instagram
