Whales, dolphins, and the diverse marine environment of Plettenberg Bay provides endless inspiration for residents and visitors alike. For those strolling along Main Street and the Marine Drive traffic circle, a captivating bronze sculpture entitled, “The Dolphins” awaits. Created by local artist Robert Leggat, “The Dolphins” serves as a visual representation of the connection between art, nature, and the community in Plettenberg Bay. In recent years, a prominent billboard, featuring a painting of a mother and calf humpback whale by local artist Gayle Harris, on the local national highway (N2) warmly welcomed visitors to Plettenberg Bay, serving as a striking introduction to the area.

Adding to the community’s celebration of cetaceans is the remarkable “Wanda the whale”, a larger-than-life puppet brought to life by local performing arts NPO, Lunchbox Theatre. Wanda serves as an educational tool, captivating audiences during performances at schools and other venues, while imparting valuable knowledge about whale conservation and the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures.

Each year, the Plett Ocean Festival, organized by the Plett Tourism Association, takes place, providing a platform for the community to come together and celebrate the wonders of the ocean.

The community of Plettenberg Bay has taken various initiatives to preserve the natural beauty of the area and protect its marine ecosystem. The Bitou Municipality ran a volunteer beach cleaning activities to collect washed-up nurdles while campaigns, such as Keep Plett Clean and “The Sea Starts Here” are both designed to increase anti-littering awareness and action. 

Whale watching businesses also commit to their environmental practices by not providing single-use plastic water bottles to their guests and ensuring responsible disposal of biohazardous materials such as motor oil and grease.

A unique feature of Plettenberg Bay’s Central Beach is the innovative whale replica which serves as a litter receptacle. Constructed from recycled metal and other materials by local artist Derek Saul, the whale was named “Sindi” (derived from the Isixhosa word “umsindisi,” meaning “saviour”) by local school children. The launch of the attraction serves to promote conservation and marine eco preservation, with relevant signage at the site.

Plettenberg Bay has gained recognition for its commitment to environmental stewardship. In November 2022, six beaches and two marine tourism boats were granted Blue Flag status, symbolising the town’s adherence to high water quality standards and sustainable practices. Plettenberg Bay was also declared a Mission Blue Hope Spot in 2014 and, in 2023, 10 internationally accredited Green Flag Trails were designated in the area.

Plettenberg Bay has a strong research culture, with long-standing partnerships between whale watching operators and marine researchers, established by the founding of the Centre for Dolphin Studies by marine scientist Dr. Vic Cockcroft in the 1990s. Current research projects in the area focus on photo-identification of humpback and bottlenose dolphins, as well as Bryde’s whales and humpback whales. Marine scientists contributions have been instrumental in the South African Government’s cetacean management strategy and studies on human impacts on cetaceans.

A prime example of research bringing about real, practical benefits for cetaceans is the study led by local marine scientist Dr. Gwenith Penry, addressing the issue of fatal entanglements of Bryde’s whales in coastal fishing gear. The project utilised suction-cup attached data loggers to inform gear changes and revise fishing permit regulations. These changes, enforced at a ministerial level, have successfully reduced entanglements, with no further incidents reported to date.

The community at large is encouraged to actively engage in monitoring their marine environments through citizen science initiatives. These include reporting wildlife sightings through the Seafari App and participating in beach cleans, such as the notable Strandloper project aimed at clearing washed-up nurdles from the shore.

Equally important to the research efforts are the education and awareness programs in the area. A local whale-watching company runs the Adopt a Swimmer Programme, providing opportunities for young people to experience the sea first-hand. Local NGO, Natures Valley Trust, takes the lead in ongoing educational programs focused on marine and environmental preservation for children in the Plettenberg Bay/Bitou communities. A highlight of the year is the annual Plett Ocean Festival and Marine Science Symposium which caters to a wide audience, offering talks on the latest research findings, marine film screenings, educational activities and much more. The event also features a marine career exposition, providing young individuals with valuable exposure to potential career paths in the marine industry.