Best time:  between July and November the Southern Right Whales migrate from the cold Antarctica to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Throughout the year dolphins can be seen playing in the surf.

* Wilderness - Dolphin Point, Wilderness Beach, 6th Avenue lookout point and Flat Rock
* Sedgefield - Myoli Beach lookout point, Swartvlei and Gericke’s Point
* George - Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay

Bryde's whales
Bryde's whales or orcas are occasionally seen, and bottlenose and humpback dolphins are in residence all year. A breeding colony of Cape fur seals completes Plettenberg Bays' impressive array of marine mammals. It is in Plettenberg Bay that the dolphin and whale-watching industry is most organised, with trips in boats, kayaks and aircraft on offer. Viewing, distances and time spent with each animal are strictly monitored so that there is minimal interference. Boats are big, comfortable and moderately dry. Boarding is easy and people in wheelchairs can be accommodated. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you could paddle out in a sea kayak and the whales or dolphins may surface near you - they often do.
The Garden Route generally, from Stilbaai through Mossel Bay and on to George, Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, is a magnificent stretch of coastline hosting southern rights in their season, humpbacks between May and December, Bryde's whales all year round - and, occasionally, killer whales.

Take a drive along White’s Road, visit the viewpoint at the Map of Africa, experience the Seven Passes road and view the Big Tree in Woodville.

Oudtshoorn Ostriches - Drive via George and the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of South Africa, 60km north of George.

Oudtshoorn Cango Caves – Drive via George and the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves, 29km north of Oudtshoorn.

Other Oudtshoorn attractions:  Bongolethu Township Box Route, Wilgewandel, wine cellars, Meerkat Magic Tour and the C.P. Nel Museum.

Take a drive to Knysna (under an hour’s drive from Wilderness):  cruise the Knysna Lagoon, eat a Knysna oyster, visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve and the Knysna Elephant Park.

Take a drive to Plettenberg Bay (an hour and a half’s drive from Wilderness): visit Monkey Land, the Crags, Birds of Eden and titillate your taste buds at Bramon Wine Estate.

Drive in to Mossel Bay (under an hour’s drive from Wilderness): spend the day at the Dias Museum, Maritime Museum, Shell Museum and aquarium; relax over a meal at The Point. Mossel Bay has some of the oldest houses in South Africa and interesting sandstone buildings

Kidbuddie Adventure Farm:  Wilderness, towards Sedgefield on the Hoekwil turn-off– playground, obstacle course, animal farmyard, secret forest, picnic site and more.

George – Outeniqua Nature Reserve

Knysna – Knysna indigenousfForest, includes Diepwalle, Gouma and Harkerville

Knysna – Knysna National Lake area – Knysna Estuary: endangered seahorses, oysters, pansy shells, fish and bird species

Tsitsikamma National Park – one of the largest coastal nature reserves in the world, the marine reserve stretches 65km along the coast, conserving inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fishing

Oudtshoorn – Swartberg Nature Reserve

Oudtshoorn – Gamkaberg Nature Reserve

Wilderness National Park – a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and mountain ranges, includes Goudveld and Farleigh

Over 18km of golden sand, ideal for a leisurely stroll and some dolphin and whale watching. Most popular beaches for fishing, sunbathing, swimming, surfing or a leisurely stroll:

* Touw River mouth
* Leentjiesklip
* The Boardwalk on 6th Avenue
* The Fisherman’s walk on 8th Avenue
* Kleinkrantz
* NB:  Please take care when swimming as there are strong currents