You’ll love today’s photos of some new territory that I added to the list of hiking trails along this southernmost shore of Africa at a place called Plettenebrg Bay in the Garden Route region. My favorite stretch of coastline is this one in today’s selection of photos. It’s on the outskirts of the region, away from the popular holiday town of Plett, as the locals call it.

Notice the thick green dense vegetation that brings the tropical island feel to this part of the shoreline
Notice the thick green dense vegetation that brings the tropical island feel to this part of the shoreline

If you want to appreciate this hidden gem which provides a feel of mini Thailand, then you simply need to take the main highway out of Plett to the east for about 15 kilometers until you come to the end of the Keurbooms beach suburb. There you can park at Enrico’s restaurant, which offers exquisite pizza made by the real Italian chef Enrico and his good wife.

Lush green vegetation meets sparkling white sandy beach with the sea just to the right.
Lush green vegetation meets sparkling white sandy beach with the sea just to the right.
Some info at the car parking lot at Enrico’s which provides insight into the endangered Oystercatcher of this region
Some info at the car parking lot at Enrico's which provides insight into the endangered Oystercatcher of this region
Those region hosts a seal colony and is an ancient roaming ground of the original first people called the Cape Khoi or ”bushman” indigenous nomads
Those region hosts a seal colony and is an ancient roaming ground of the original first people called the Cape Khoi or "bushman" indigenous nomads 

Once you have passed Enrico’s restaurant and deck overlooking the sea, you can carry on further east along what becomes a stretch of beach much like anything out of Thailand or some other tropical island hideaway. The most dramatic expression of rock art is the much admired Arch Rock, with it’s cathedral-like stature over two stories high.

Arch Rock also called Cathedral Rock - a supremely inspiring naturally sculpted rock formation to impress any global traveler
Arch Rock also called Cathedral Rock - a supremely inspiring naturally sculpted rock formation to impress any global traveler

You need to cross over a little rivulet as it washes toward the sea from inland. Don’t worry, this river is nothing but a little trickle, as you can see by this cute little wooden bridge someone made out of drift wood, which is fairly prolific here. The tide goes out to reveal some amazing rock formations just next to this little stream, and you can wonder around them at your leisure while appreciating the artistic sculptures weathered out of the boulders by Mother Nature and the elements.

A little driftwood bridge over a token gesture of a stream
A little driftwood bridge over a token gesture of a stream
The same bridge from the other angle, crossing the little stream that flows to the sea
The same bridge from the other angle, crossing the little stream that flows to the sea

Once you pass the majestic Arch Rock, through which the tide washes the Indian Ocean, you can hike further along the coast of pebbles to discover still more epic and inspiring rock features all along the sea shoreline. With the dense green vegetation also growing right up to the rocky sea shore itself, the landscape appears even more tropical and adventurous.

The trail leads on beyond Arch Rock to the east.
The trail leads on beyond Arch Rock to  the east.
Notice the detailed notice to keep you informed and safe.
Notice the detailed notice to keep you informed and safe.

The pools and caves dotted along this particular part of the shoreline are truly beautiful, unlike any seen near the town of Plett itself. As a result I doubt if many of the locals even know about this attractive stretch of their coastline. Of if they do, only the most intrepid adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts really make the extra effort to explore this epic coastal hiking trail.

Quaint little pools all along the shoreline.
Quaint little pools all along the shoreline.
Beautiful warm water and sunny skies throughout the year makes this an epic destination.
Beautiful warm water and sunny skies throughout the year makes this an epic destination.

The one particular beach cavern really transported me back to Thailand, where I spent a month visiting the islands about five years ago. This little lesser known stretch of shoreline in Plettenberg Bay really has that kind of tropical island feel about it. Any outdoor nature lover will really appreciate this little gem of a beach.

Seaside cavern from the outside.
Seaside cavern from the outside.
A great meditation cave where it feels like Thailand in Africa.
A great meditation cave where it feels like Thailand in Africa.
Is it a footprint of a local deer or what made this impression in the cavern?
Is it a footprint of a local deer or what made this impression in the cavern?

If, like me, discovering more new beaches all around the world is one of your favorite pastimes, then be sure to visit this treasure of a holiday hideaway called Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route region of Africa’s southern shore. You will simply love the numerous diverse beaches that lie deserted awaiting your exploration.

A worthwhile travel destination with so much pristine open indigenous space all around for many kilometers.
A worthwhile travel destination with so much pristine open indigenous space all around for many kilometers.

(photos my own)