Plettenberg Bay is known for its vibrant tourism scene, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year to its pristine beaches. As a key part of our marine ecosystem, sharks have long been a part of the local environment, with white sharks particularly known to visit our shores for over 20 years. While every year brings its own unique patterns, our data shows that white shark presence in Plett generally peaks during the winter months and declines significantly by summer.
White sharks typically begin arriving in the region around mid-April, with their numbers tapering off by the end of October. During the summer months, from November to March, shark activity is lower. Meanwhile, the Cape fur seal population undergoes its pupping season, with newborn pups remaining on land for the first few months as they rely on their mothers for milk. By April, these young seals start venturing from their rookeries, gradually entering the water to explore and forage independently. This period aligns with an increase in white shark sightings along the Robberg Peninsula, likely due to the availability of easy prey.
In 2024, there have been notable deviations from these typical trends. The first white shark sighting occurred in July, followed by up to 14 sightings in August, with a significant increase in September to over 100 sightings. Most of these sightings were concentrated around Central Beach, while sightings near Robberg Peninsula were relatively lower. October has continued to show a significant number of sightings, although activity is beginning to slow as expected with the approach of summer.
Our dedicated spotters are stationed year-round at key lookout points across Lookout Beach, The Wedge, Central Beach, Robberg 1, and The Wreck, monitoring tirelessly—except during adverse weather conditions. While shark sightings were notably high across popular bathing beaches during this years late winter period, the spotters’ consistent vigilance, timely reporting, and co-ordinated beach closures with beach control and lifeguards effectively minimised shark-human interactions, ensuring the safety of bathers.
But what exactly is a “shark sighting”?
Many people ask if we have had over 100 white shark sightings in a month, does this mean we have seen 100 different sharks?
It is important to note that is not possible to differentiate between individual sharks when looking from land, this can only be done when alongside the shark in the water or on a boat, where distinguishing features like marks on their dorsal fins or bodies can be observed. Therefore, from our vantage points, we record the number of times a white shark is seen – a discrete “sighting” event – and not the number of individual sharks.
This means that if an individual shark visits a beach in the morning, then leaves the area and returns an hour later, it will be recorded as a new sighting (i.e. two shark sightings that day) as we have no way to confirm if it is the same individual shark seen earlier in the day or a different one. Over the past six weeks, we have recorded more than 100 shark sightings, but no more than three sharks have been seen at the same time. This means that while the frequency of sightings has been high, the actual number of sharks in the area is likely much lower.
What is more important, the number of individual sharks or the number of sightings?
When assessing the risk to bather safety, the number of shark sightings is a better indicator of potential risk than the number of individual sharks. This is because the number of sightings is indicative of the amount of time sharks have spent close to shore (presence/absence), rather than how many sharks there are (quantity). For example, one individual shark visiting an area on a daily basis poses the same potential risk as a different shark visiting each day. We therefore focus on the number of sightings, not individuals, and the period of time they spend at the beach to better understand white shark activity levels close to shore and reduce the risk of negative interactions.
Safety Measures: Protecting the Public
The safety of our beachgoers is our top priority. We work closely with Plett Beach Control and local lifeguards to ensure a co-ordinated response to shark sightings. Beachgoers are advised to stay attentive to lifeguard instructions and follow any guidance provided while at the beach.
Plettenberg Bay offers ideal vantage points, such as the Beacon Isle Hotel, where elevated views allow for effective spotting of marine life, including sharks. The vigilance from these strategic locations has greatly enhanced our monitoring capabilities and demonstrates the success of the collaborative safety program. The proactive observation network has significantly contributed to the timely identification of potential risks, providing beachgoers with both reassurance and valuable time to respond if necessary.
Looking Ahead
While the number of individual white sharks frequenting Plettenberg Bay is likely low, the recent increase in activity around Central Beach and nearby areas underscores the need for continued vigilance. Shark Spotters is committed to ensuring the safety of beachgoers and will continue to provide regular updates on shark activity in Plettenberg Bay through our WhatsApp group. However, there is still much to learn about shark distribution patterns in this region. More research is necessary to track trends, provide a better understanding of shark behaviours, and enhance safety measures for all.
Future plans are underway to allow the public to sign up for automated shark sighting notifications via our web-app. These updates will offer real-time information on sightings of sharks and other marine animals, ensuring that our community remains informed and safe while enjoying the waters of Plettenberg Bay.
For further information, contact plett@sharkspotters.org.za or visit our website https://sharkspotters.org.za/plett-shark-spotters/
Written by: Mel Nel