I want to share with you today some photos of one of the prime examples of pure white beaches here on the south coast of Africa in the area known as the Garden Route. These long empty open stretches of clean snow white soft sandy beaches are just epic to visit and explore. They allow you to have the feeling of having the whole place to yourself since there is so much space and so few people.

Vast open expanse of sandy white beach on the south coast of Africa with the town of Plettenberg Bay on the right
Vast open expanse of sandy white beach on the south coast of Africa with the town of Plettenberg Bay on the right

I love walking along these long thin stretches of coastline at any time of the year since the climate is so mild here. This is one of the hidden gems of the African coastline way down south. Few people know about this treasure of a holiday paradise so you would do well to make you way here for a hidden holiday hideaway at really budget prices, especially considering our exchange rate in South Africa. Foreign travelers have a real bargain when coming to these holiday beaches as they are top rate globally for relatively reasonable rates compared to many other places around the planet.

Loads of shell creatures in a rich and healthy marine environment
Loads of shell creatures in a rich and healthy marine environment

This beach is known as Keurbooms and makes up part of the Plettenberg Bay coastline. Although there are few people, I do sometimes find bits of plastic litter. I collected some recently on one of my walks and it comprises of those bits of plastic that collect in the sea and wash up on shore eventually. It’s unfortunate though not as bad as some places like Thailand which has many more tourists annually.

Beautiful dune plant species make for a great ground cover all along the shoreline
Beautiful dune plant species make for a great ground cover all along the shoreline

Plastic is a real problem for our planet since it does not erode easily and collects in the oceans, thus negatively impacting the marine life. Hopefully ecologists and environmentalists will help to eradicate such pollution in time to come. The beaches are just epic with all their space and pure clean white sand. It would be great to keep them that way for future generations.

The plastic pollution I collected made a small pile, though this is going on all across the planet
The plastic pollution I collected made a small pile, though this is going on all across the planet

There is plenty of marine life in this particular bay and it is actually a marine sanctuary for seals, dolphins and whales in season. The lagoon which is filled by two rivers in this area, ends up flowing out to sea at this part of the shoreline. It is possible to walk to the river mouth at the one end of the long stretch of beach.

A view of Robberg Peninsula in the distance from Keurbooms beach
A view of Robberg Peninsula in the distance from Keurbooms beach

Sometimes one can see underwater fish called manta rays which hug the bottom of the sea or lagoon bed. Here in one photo you can see one which I found washed up on the beach. There are also many sea birds which breed here in their protected bird sanctuary and sea gull colony on these dunes. Signs are posted all around to remind people to avoid the dunes so that the sea birds can breed in peace.

A list of the birds breeding on this long stretch of beach
A list of the birds breeding on this long stretch of beach

If you get a chance then feel inspired to come explore this particular stretch of the coastline in Plettenberg Bay. You will love this stretch called Keurbooms beach and feel the health benefits of this region. Fresh sea air and load of sunshine await you, as well as the warm water of the Indian Ocean. Paradise is just a step away.

(photos my own)