If you're planning a winter getaway to Plettenberg Bay, there's an important safety update to be aware of before heading to the beach.
Since 01 July 2026, the town's Shark Spotters programme has been suspended after the agreement between the organisation and Bitou Municipality expired. While Plettenberg Bay's beaches remain open and lifeguards continue to operate, the dedicated shark early-warning service is currently unavailable.
The suspension comes at an unfortunate time, coinciding with the peak season for great white sharks along South Africa's southern coastline.
Why have Shark Spotters been suspended?
The Shark Spotters programme officially launched in Plettenberg Bay in November 2022, providing trained spotters who monitor the ocean from elevated viewpoints and warn beachgoers whenever sharks are sighted.
However, the programme stopped operating on 01 July 2026 after the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Shark Spotters and Bitou Municipality expired on 30 June 2026.
According to Shark Spotters, the organisation can no longer legally or financially operate without a new agreement in place.
The Bitou Municipality, meanwhile, says it has already completed the necessary council and administrative processes. The municipality approved R800,000 in Grant-in-Aid funding, authorised a new agreement and submitted a draft MoA to Shark Spotters before the previous agreement expired.
The remaining obstacle appears to centre on how the funding may legally be used. Municipal Grant-in-Aid funding can cover qualifying operational expenses but cannot be used to pay salaries or wages. Since the programme relies on trained human spotters, this has reportedly complicated the final agreement.
Why the timing is significant
The suspension comes during the southern winter, when great white sharks are more frequently seen closer to shore as they hunt Cape fur seals along the coastline.
Adding to concerns, a white shark predation event was observed off Plettenberg Bay's Central Beach shortly before the programme was suspended, highlighting that sharks are actively present in the town's waters.
While shark encounters remain rare, the Shark Spotters programme has played an important role in giving beachgoers an additional layer of safety and confidence.
Are Plettenberg Bay's beaches still open?
Yes.
All public beaches in Plettenberg Bay remain open, and there is currently no general swimming ban in place.
However, visitors should be aware that there are no Shark Spotters on duty until a new agreement has been signed.
Lifeguards continue to monitor the beaches where they are deployed, but they do not replace the dedicated shark spotting service that continuously scans the ocean from elevated lookout points.
Safety advice for visitors
If you're visiting Plettenberg Bay while the programme remains suspended, it's worth taking a few extra precautions:
- Follow all advice from lifeguards and local authorities.
- Swim only at beaches where lifeguards are present.
- Avoid entering the water at dawn, dusk or after dark, when sharks are generally more active.
- Stay close to shore and avoid swimming alone.
- Avoid areas where seals, large schools of fish, seabirds or fishing activity are present.
- Check local updates before heading to the beach, as the situation could change if the programme resumes.
These are sensible precautions at any unmonitored beach and become even more important while the Shark Spotters service remains unavailable.
When will Shark Spotters return?
At the time of writing, there is no confirmed date for the programme's return.
Both Shark Spotters and Bitou Municipality have publicly expressed their commitment to restoring the service as soon as the new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been finalised.
For travellers, this means it's worth checking the latest local updates before your trip, particularly if spending time at Central Beach, Robberg Beach or other popular swimming spots is high on your itinerary.
Bottom line
Plettenberg Bay remains one of South Africa's premier beach destinations, and visitors can continue enjoying its spectacular coastline this winter.
However, until the Shark Spotters programme resumes, beachgoers should recognise that one of the town's key safety systems is temporarily unavailable. Exercising a little extra caution, following lifeguard guidance and staying informed about local conditions will help ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
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