Seemingly endless stretches of golden beaches, lush indigenous forests, and year-round outdoor adventures make Plettenberg Bay the golden jewel of the Garden Route. However, there’s more to this seaside gem than daytime views. When the sun drips beyond the horizon, Plett’s night sky comes alive with shimmering constellations and the Milky Way stretching overhead.
In the Southern Hemisphere, visitors can marvel at unique southern constellations, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience as you listen to the waves crashing in the distance. Plettenberg Bay is the perfect destination to slow down, connect with nature and embrace the beauty of the Garden Route’s night sky.
What is Astrotourism?
Astrotourism is a growing trend that allows travellers to enjoy the wonders of the night sky, especially in places where light pollution is minimal. This experience is about visiting locations specifically to observe celestial objects like stars, planets, meteors, and the Milky Way, making it a peaceful and unique experience for those looking to escape the fast paced life of the city.
Stargazing in Plettenberg Bay
Far from the city lights, Plett’s night sky becomes a canvas for celestial wonder. The Milky Way Galaxy is usually a prominent feature and is visible with the naked eye on a clear night. Be on the lookout for the famous Southern Cross, which has guided sailors to their destinations for centuries. However, this isn’t the only constellation on display. Enhancing the Southern Cross’s beauty is the Centaurus constellation, which is home to Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth.
The summer months in Plettenberg Bay are about more than just soaking up the sun and going on beach adventures. For stargazers, it’s the perfect time to spot a Northern Hemisphere favourite, Orion’s Belt. These three bright stars (the belt) are usually visible from southern latitudes, and can be viewed well into the autumn months for those looking to enjoy cooler weather along the Garden Route.
Sagittarius is another summer favourite and is often considered the centre of the Milky Way. If you’re an avid stargazer that’s interested in dense star fields and nebulae, this is a great constellation to tick off your list. While bringing along a telescope or binoculars are a great way to enhance your experience, many of these constellations can be viewed with the naked eye.
Pairing the beauty of stargazing with the excitement of your daytime adventures is one way to create the perfect balance of day and night, ensuring an unforgettable experience that’s sprinkled heaps of stardust.
Where to Stargaze in Plettenberg?
Few places in South Africa offer a night sky as clear, vast, and magical as Plettenberg Bay. This is mostly due to the crisp ocean air, minimal light pollution, and clean skies, which make stars and celestial events easier to spot with the naked eye.
There are a few popular lookout points which are safe and easily accessible, where you might even bump into a few locals and tourists! Robberg Nature Reserve offers mesmerising views of the town’s coastline during the day, but the Reserve’s gates close around 6pm in winter and 8pm in summer, which aren’t the best times for stargazing. The Reserve’s carpark can be a great alternative, and offers a unique vantage point with unobstructed views of the night sky. However, if you prefer to enjoy sand and stars, then take a walk down to Robberg’s beach. Lookout Beach is another excellent spot, located a little farther from the town lights, making it ideal for fresh ocean air and breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
If you’re keen to keep things a little closer to home, Fynbos Ridge is the perfect Plettenberg Bay Accommodation for stargazers. Nestled between breathtaking mountain views, fragrant fynbos and Plett’s pristine beaches, our accommodation is a wonderful location to immerse yourself in nature while spotting your favourite constellations. Guests can enjoy luxury accommodation while stargazing from their verandas, gardens, or the pool area.
When is the Best Time to Stargaze in Plett?
Best Months
The months of May to August are considered winter in South Africa, and while there’s a chill in the air, they offer clear skies and crisp air with less humidity and cloud cover. The sun sets around 6pm during the colder months, ensuring longer nights to enjoy looking up at the stars. The Milky Way is also brilliant during these months!
While winter is usually a time to slow down and recoup, this season can be filled with exciting festivals and outdoor activities in Plettenberg Bay, making it the ideal time to visit.
Moon Phases
The New Moon and the days surrounding it are often seen as the ideal time for stargazing. With less light reflected from the moon, faint stars, distant galaxies, nebulae, and the Milky Way become much easier to see. Dark skies also provide higher contrast – perfect for viewing, but even better for photographers looking to capture the night sky’s magic. While every night is a perfect time for star spotting, try and avoid full moons if you want to see more than just the brightest constellations.
Best Time of Night
If you’re a casual stargazer, the best time to stargaze is around 90 minutes after the sun has dipped below the horizon until midnight. However, if you’re a hardcore enthusiast, the best recommendation is to view from midnight to 4 am, as this is when the sky is at its darkest and you’ll have the chance to see the most.
Seasonal Highlights
If you’re new to astrotourism, plan your trip around celestial events, like eclipses or the Geminid meteor shower in December. If you’re visiting anytime outside of big events, here are a few seasonal highlights you may enjoy:
Winter: Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, bright planets like Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
Summer: Orion, Scorpius, and Sagittarius near the Milky Way’s core.
Helpful Apps for Stargazing in Plettenberg Bay
Stellarium (Free / Paid Upgrade)
This is a wonderful app that provides an interactive star map that shows constellations and celestial objects in real time. This allows users to identify stars, planets and constellations with the naked eye. Additional features include, displaying constellations and their boundaries and showing major solar system objects. All you need to do is download the app and point your phone at the sky to help you identify objects in the night sky.
Heavens-Above (Free)
Constellations, planets and stars may not be the only thing you’re looking to spot. This free-to-use app focuses on tracking satellites and the International Space Station (ISS), and is wonderful for spotting fast-moving objects across the sky.
Moon Phase Calendar (Free / Paid Upgrade)
If you’re planning your stargazing trip around the moon, this is a great app to include in your arsenal. Simple, easy-to-read moon phase charts that allows you to determine when the next new or full moon will occur.
The Best Place in Plett to Stargaze
Whether you’re exploring the beauty of Plett in the day or looking to enjoy the beauty of the night’s sky, allow Fynbos Ridge to be your guide. Peaceful, natural-surroundings allow you to enjoy stargazing with just the sounds of nature to keep you company.
Combining luxury accommodation with an authentic connection to Plettenberg Bay’s night sky, and allowing you to enjoy a safe, comfortable and exclusive stargazing spot. Our slice of paradise is perfect for casual observers, photographers and astronomy enthusiasts!
Book your stay at Fynbos Ridge today!
