Unforgettable Beacon Island vacation in South Africa

There is one image of the Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort in Plettenberg Bay on South Africa’s west coast that is immediately recognisable – a daytime shot of the six-floor, white building that from a distance looks like a luxury liner at sea.

It’s an idyllic scene as night falls at the Beacon Island, with the pink sun setting the resort aglow with soft light. The site is incredible because it’s literally on the beach, and away from other structures and thoroughfares. It’s also big on the no-smoking rule in all guest rooms and public places. What a pleasure.

Interestingly, there’s an on-site scuba diving school as well as squash courts, swimming pools, a volleyball court, floodlit tennis courts and gym to keep active guests happy. 

Off-site, guests might like to attempt the world’s highest bungee jump of 216 metres at the Bloukrans Bridge just 60 kilometres away. It’s the world’s highest single span arch bridge, which serves as a road bridge over a river by the same name.

Closer to the Beacon Island though there are opportunities for dolphin and whale watching plus another world best – that of the largest free flight aviary at Birds of Eden in Plettenberg Bay. It comprises two hectares of indigenous forest, a ruin, a walk-behind waterfall and amphitheatre large enough to seat over 200 visitors. There are 3 500 birds that make up 220 species living in various habitats in the sanctuary. Go on a walking tour up into the clouds – there is a canopy walk that gives the opportunity to see all the birds that want to be high up, close to the sun.

Equally close to Beacon Island is Monkeyland, a primate sanctuary next door to Birds of Eden. It boasts the world’s first free-roaming multi-species safe haven for these animals on 23 hectares of indigenous forest.

Conservation-orientated tourism is a key driver of its aim to educate people about environmental challenges and a monkey safari is one of the best ways to do it. Physically and emotionally rehabilitated monkeys live out their lives there in a stable, permanent, natural environment. 

There’s even an Elephant Sanctuary near Beacon Island. This concentrates on educating people about elephants and elephant husbandry, allowing limited numbers of visitors to interact with the herd and even walk trunk-in-hand with them. The herd comprises five females and one young male, which makes for a well-balanced happy family structure.