George Airport (GRJ): Adverse weather conditions are currently affecting operations! [update]

update (21 October 2024): Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which operates George Airport (GRJ), confirmed that due to adverse weather conditions, some flights to and from  George Airport (GRJ) have been cancelled until further notice.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the company that provides air traffic, navigation, training and associated services within South Africa, has informed the public that inclement weather conditions are currently affecting operations at George Airport (GRJ) in George in South Africa's Western Cape. According to ATNS, this adverse weather is negatively impacting airport operations. We'll keep you posted!

Runway Status:
Runway 29 (RWY 29): Although RWY 29 has a valid flight procedure, it is currently unavailable due to prevailing wind conditions. This may result in flight delays and potential diversions.
Runway 11 (RWY 11): Wind direction favours this runway, however, the flight procedure for RWY 11 was submitted to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for approval yesterday. We are expecting an outcome soon. [src.]

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Garden Route: CemAir suspends flights to Plettenberg Bay until April 2025!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that the suspension of flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay has been extended to 10 April 2025 due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The airline hopes that by April 2025 the airport will have regained its Category 5 certification, which will allow CemAir to resume its scheduled service
All flights booked from Johannesburg to Plettenberg Bay until 10 April 2025 date will automatically be rebooked on CemAir's service to George Airport (GRJ) in George. Passengers will receive an automated booking change notification with new flight details.
For CemAir's Cape Town passengers travelling to Plettenberg Bay the airline will be introducing a flight between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and George during peak periods. Passengers travelling on these days will receive an automated booking change notification with their new travel details. Passengers travelling on days where no alternative CemAir flight is available will be provided with a credit for the value of their fare.

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Plettenberg Bay: Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) has been shut down by the South African Civil Aviation Authority! [update #2]

update (10 October 2024): The Bitou Municipality announced on 12 September 2024 that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has issued a Category 2 airport license to Garden Route Aero, the entity contracted to manage Plettenberg Bay Airport. This is good news for the airport t as the license allows General Aviation Activity (GAA) to resume immediately. Private and non-scheduled commercial aviation operations are allowed to resume, supporting local aviators, private flights, and charter services. Under the Category 2 license conditions, the airport remains restricted from accommodating scheduled commercial aircraft.

update (03 August 2024): South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that it has once again suspended all flights to and from Plettenberg Bay Airport/ Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay with immediate effect. Flights are currently suspended until 15 November 2024.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has shut down Plettenberg Bay Airport/ Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay with immediate effect on 31 July 2024. The civil aviation authority of South Africa informed the Bitou Municipality, the airport’s licence holder, that Plettenberg Bay Airport’s Aerodrome Operating Licence had been suspended. According to the SACAA, the main reason for the suspension is the runway, which posed a “significant safety risk”.
In the meantime, the Bitou Municipality Council has resolved to appeal the South African Civil Aviation Authority's decision to suspend the operating license of the Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ). We'll keep you posted!

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Plettenberg Bay Aerodome: CemAir resumes operations on a limited schedule!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that its service between Cape Town Interrnational Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay will remain suspended, while the service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Plettenberg Bay will recommence on 25 July 2024 on a limited schedule. The airline will initially operate four weekly flights on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between the two destinations.
According to CemAir, the airline received a call from the Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome manager on 02 July 2024 stating that the Airport license issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was expected to be suspended the following day. The reason provided was that during a recent SACAA audit an unaddressed finding relating to the condition of the runway and taxiway had been escalated to the highest level.
As a result, CemAir terminated all flights into Plettenberg Bay from both Johannesburg and Cape Town with immediate effect up to and including the end of November 2024. This was the anticipated period for the runway work to be scoped, planned and completed.
On 03 July 2024 a further communication was received indicating that Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ) would not be closed as the SACAA had accepted a phased action plan and would assess progress of the plan on 31 July 2024.
Despite this, on the 07 July 2024, the Bitou Municipality, which owns Plettenberg Bay Aerodrome (PBZ), issued a contradictory media statement advising that after careful consideration they had decided to close the Airport from 31 July 2024. Subsequently this was again amended on 09 July 2024 to state that a plan was in progress and airport interruptions were still to be advised. No airport closure dates have been confirmed. We'll keep you posted!

 online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

George: Gwaing River and the Gwaing River mouth temporarily closed for any water activities until further notice! [update #3]

update (22 March 2024): The George Municipality has announced that the Gwaing River and River Mouth has been reopened for swimming and water activities after water quality tests indicate that the river’s water quality meets requirements. This follows a sewer spill caused by damage to a sewer pipeline by a service provider on 12 March 2024. The damaged pipeline was repaired on the same day and the river was closed as a precautionary measure.

update (15 March 2024): The George Municipality has informed the public, that the Gwaing River and River Mouth remain closed following a sewer spill into the river that was caused by a damaged pipeline earlier this week. The damaged pipeline and electrical lines that were damaged by a service provider were subsequently repaired and are operational.
However, as a precautionary measure, the George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Department is currently conducting water quality tests over the next few weeks until it can be confirmed that the river`s water quality meets the minimum requirements. 

update (13 March 2024): The George Municipality has informed the public that repairs to the Proefplaas Sewer Pump Station Pressure Main Pipeline, which was damaged on 12 March 2024 by a service provider working on overhead electrical lines, have been completed and the pumps are once again operational.
The damage caused a sewer spill into the Gwaing River catchment area and currently the Gwaing River and River mouth remain closed for swimming and water activities as a precautionary measure. We'll keep you posted!

The George Municipality has announced that the Gwaing River and the Gwaing River mouth near Herolds Bay is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, for swimming and any water activities until further notice. This is due to damage to the Proefplaas Sewer Pump Station Pressure Main Pipeline by a service provider working on overhead electrical lines, which has caused a sewer spill into the Gwaing River catchment area.
Civil Engineering Services has a service provider on site trying to contain the spill and remedial measures are being applied in order to re-commission the sewer pump station. All protocols are being followed and the Department of Water and Sanitation, as well as the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) have been notified. We'll keep you posted! 

Garden Route National Park: Road maintenance on the main access road to the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that there will be road maintenance conducted on the main access road to the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park. The road maintenance work will start on 01 February 2024 and is expected to be completed on 06 May 2024.
Garden Route National Park encompasses the Tsitsikamma, Wilderness and Knysna sections, a variety of mountain catchments, indigenous forests and fynbos areas, all valued for their diverse natural and cultural heritage. The Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park covers an 80 kilometreslong stretch of coastline with Nature's Valley is at the western end of the park. The main accommodation is the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, location at Storms River Mouth.

Garden Route National Park: Opening of a temporary restaurant structure at Tsitsikamma section!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it has opened a temporary restaurant structure at Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park after the previous structure was washed out by a storm surge on 16 September 2023. According to SANParks, the temporary restaurant boasts a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, offering visitors a unique blend of delectable cuisine. The permanent restaurant building structure is scheduled to be completed mid-2024. We'll keep you posted!

George (Western Cape): George Airport (GRJ) is currently experiencing technical disruptions due to power cuts! [update]

update (13 August 2023): According to ACSA, George Airport (GRJ) in George is fully operational again.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced that George Airport (GRJ) in George in South Africa's Western Cape is currently experiencing technical disruptions due to unforeseen power related challenges. These disruptions have impacted the airport's IT systems, including check-in services, parking operations and flight information displays. Work is underway to restore full functionality to the airport's systems. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Western Cape: All beaches in the George area set to reopen!

The George Municipality just announced that all beaches in the George area in the Western Cape, including Gwaing Beach, Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, Wilderness, and Leentjiesklip, will be open to the public again starting Friday, 22 September 2023. The beaches were closed due to the high spring tides that hit the coastal areas of George over the past weekend. According to the Municipality, heavy construction vehicles are still moving around the beaches and certain beach infrastructure such as benches and walkways have been removed. Due to the absence of lifeguards and debris in the water, swimming is currently not advisable.

Garden Route National Park: Storm Surge in Tsitsikamma! [update #2]

update (19 September 2023): South African National Parks (SANParks) has released an update on the storm surge and high spring tide in Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park:

• Nature’s Valley Rest Camp in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is now open to the public.
• Storms River Mouth Rest Camp remains open to the public. Accommodation facilities have not been affected by the storm surge and accommodation is still available for visitors who would like to overnight in the National Park. All the hiking trails are now open and accessible to the public including the Otter trail, Waterfall hiking trail and Mouth trail (Suspension bridge).
• The restaurant is closed until further notice. SANParks management is working on strategies for reconstructing temporary dining facility. In the meantime, SANParks is advising visitors to bring their own lunch. The Park shop remains open and operational to offer a convenient selection of drinks, snacks and cooking essentials, ensuring visitors have easy access to refreshments and supplies during their stay at the Camp.
• The Park telephone lines are now fully restored and operational. 

update (18 September 2023): South African National Parks (SANParks) has released an update (17 September 2023) on the storm surge and high spring tide in Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, which mainly occurred on 16 September 2023.

• the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp remains open to the public
• the temporary restaurant structure within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park has sustained severe damage and has been washed out by the storm surge. The restaurant remains closed. The Park shop is open and operational at this stage.
• All guests on the Otter Trail have been successfully evacuated through designated escape routes, ensuring their safety throughout the storm surge.
• The Waterfall hiking trail and the Mouth trails (Suspension bridge) have been temporarily closed. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our visitors
• Nature's Valley Camp remains temporarily closed due to flooding experienced last night. Park management is actively addressing the situation and conducting necessary assessments. The camp will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
• The Wilderness and Knysna sections of the Garden Route National Park are also affected by the storm surge and high spring tide with minimal damage to infrastructure. The sections are accessible to the public and remain on high alert. Park management is currently assessing the damage.
• No injuries are currently reported in the Garden Route National Park. Members of the public are urged to exercise caution when visiting this area and also check South African Weather Service for weather alerts and warnings.
• As a result of the ongoing storm surge, park communications remain offline. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that a storm surge is currently happening around the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park due to adverse weather conditions in the region. The management of the National Park and local authorities are assessing the situation as far as safety is concerned. All visitors and staff have been evacuated at this point to a safe area. The safety and well-being of all individuals within the Tsitsikamma section is of utmost importance. The management of the National Park is working diligently with local authorities to ensure the situation is managed effectively and that visitors are kept safe during this storm surge.
Visitors planning to visit the area are urged to exercise caution. SANParks communications in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is currently down due to the storm surge. We'll keep you posted!

Plettenberg Bay named South Africa’s third Whale Heritage Site!

The World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) has announced in May 2023 that Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape has been awarded Whale Heritage Site status. The town on South Africa's Garden Route joins The Bluff in Durban and Algoa Bay, a maritime bay in the Eastern Cape, as the third Whale Heritage Site in South Africa, and one of only seven fully accredited Whale Heritage Sites worldwide.
The Whale Heritage Site programme is an initiative created by the WCA and supported by World Animal Protection, which recognises destinations around the world where coastal communities work together to protect, respect and celebrate cetaceans and their habitats.

Plettenberg Bay, situated between the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area and the Robberg Marine Protected Area, supports a wide diversity of ocean wildlife, including iconic species like Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales, Bryde’s Whales, Killer Whales (Orcas) and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. The area is well known for its terrestrial and marine diversity surrounded by the Tsitsikamma Mountains, Indian Ocean coastline, indigenous forests and endemic fynbos vegetation.

Mossel Bay: The St Blaize Hiking Trail has been reopened!

The Mossel Bay Municipality has announced that following repair work done to a section of the popular St Blaize Hiking Trail at the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse and cave, the trail has been declared save for use and has been reopened. Hikers can thus once again access the trail undeterred from the lighthouse and cave at The Point in Mossel Bay.

The St Blaize Hiking Trail is a popular 13.5 km hike between Mossel Bay and Dana Bay that follows the 30 meter contour along the cliffs westwards from the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse. The hike takes about six hours to complete and is moderately challenging. The St. Blaize Trail begins at the cave below the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, and ends at Dana Bay (you can walk it in either direction), and is marked with the sign of the Oystercatcher. Parking is available at both the St. Blaize Cave in Mossel Bay and in Dana Bay.

South Africa: CemAir to launch flights between George <> Durban!

South African regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will introduce scheduled non-stop flights between George Airport (GRJ) in George (Western Cape) and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). Effective 22 June 2023, CemAir will operate two weekly direct return flights on Mondays and Thursdays. Flights depart George at 13:10 and arrive in Durban at 15:20, while the return flights depart Durban at 15:50 and arrive in George at 18:00.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Mossel Bay Municipality: Whale carcass washes ashore at Hersham Beach! [update]

update (07 February 2023): The beach area between Great Brak River and Hersham has been opened to the public, for walking since 14:00 on 06 February 2023 following the successful disposal of a whale carcass. The beach will remain closed for swimming until today (07 February 2023).

The Mossel Bay Municipality has informed the public to refrain from walking on Hersham Beach between Great Brak River and Hersham whilst the Municipality’s environmental team is busy removing a whale carcass. The whale washed ashore this morning (06 February 2023) around 06:00. Hersham Beach is closed since it is very oily due to the decomposition process of the whale. The oily residue will leave a long-lasting smelly residue on feet, shoes or anything it touches. The site where the whale carcass is being removed is cordoned off. The removal commenced at 08:30 this morning. The public will be informed once the beach reopens. We'll keep you posted!

Garden Route: Mossel Bay obtained a beach wheelchair to allow persons with disabilities to enjoy the beach!

The Mossel Bay Municipality obtained a special beach mat and wheelchair to allow persons with disabilities to enjoy Mossel Bay's beaches. The new equipment is currently only used at Santos Beach, but will be available at Mossel Bay's other four (De Bakke, Hartenbos, Klein Brak & Glentana beaches) Blue Flag beaches early in the new year. This is due to the heavier traffic during the ongoing holiday season, which is notably delaying the transport of the special beach mat and wheelchair between beaches.

Garden Route: Several beaches in Mossel Bay closed due to possible oil spill! [update #4]

update (02 December 2022): According to a posting by the Mossel Bay Municipality on facebook, most beaches in and around Mossel Bay will be cleaned by the end of this weekend, dependent on the 3.5m swells expected last night (01 December 2022).

update (01 December 2022): The Mossel Bay Municipality has released an update on the beach clean-up. The current status according to the colour or flag system (Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated) is as follows:

Blue Flag beaches:

• Santos - Green
• De Bakke - Green
• Hartenbos Platform - Green
• Klein Brak - Green  
• Glentana - Green

Rest of the beaches moving from west to east (excluding the Blue Flag beaches):

• Kanon - Orange
• Fransmanshoek - Orange
• Vleesbaai - Orange
• Boggomsbaai - Orange
• Danabaai - Red
• Point - Green
• Diaz - Green
• Twee Kuilen - Orange
• Bayview - Orange
• Hartenbos Main - Orange
• Hartenbos rivermouth - Orange
• Reebok - Red
• Tergniet - Red
• Suiderkruis - Orange
• Herham - Orange
• Outeniquastrand - Orange

Clean-up teams working their way from Diaz to Hartenbos and from Glentana to Hartenbos.

update (01 December 2022):  Four out of the five Blue Flag beaches in Mossel Bay have been declared green since yesterday (30 November 2022). Queries regarding Dana Bay and Diaz Beach have been received. Environmental Management teams from the Mossel Bay Municipality confirmed last night that these beaches were still classified as orange (Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated). Clean-up activities will recommence at 08:00 today.

update (30 November 2022): The Mossel Bay Municipality has released an update on the beach closures in Mossel Bay due to contaminants resembling tarlike balls or oil pellets being found. A flag system has been put into place indicating the state of the beaches being green, orange and red. Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated. On 30 December 2022 the following areas have been declared green and open to the public:

• Point
• Santos
• De Bakke
• Hartenbos Platform
• Glentana

Mossel Bay boasts five Blue Flag beaches. Tomorrow, 01 December 2022 as the Blue Flag season starts, the flags will be hoisted at Santos, De Bakke, Hartenbos Platform and Glentana. Cleaning operations will continue. Washing stations have been supplied at beaches to assist beach goers in cleaning.  

The Mossel Bay Municipality announed on 29 November 2022 that several beaches along the Garden Route in Mossel Bay have been closed to the public. The Blue Flags will not be raised at any of the Blue Flag beaches in Mossel Bay until the beaches are safe againfor public use. The Municipality was being notified on 28 November 2022 of an oil or hydrocarbon substance sticking to beach-goers’ feet who were walking between Hartenbos and Bayview beaches. Additional reports of the hydrocarbon substance were also received regarding Santos beach, similar to that seen at Hartenbos beach. Another report was received from the Stranded Marine Animals Rescue Team (SMART) regarding an oil spill in Kanon. 

Clean-up teams have been deployed and are working to isolate the oil spill and clear beaches so they can be re-opened in time for the coming holidays. A ask team has been deployed to establish the source of the pollution and to assist with effective clean-up efforts.

The following beaches are closed till further noticed for public safety:

• Hartenbos
• Diaz
• Santos
• Kanon
• Danabaai
• Klein Brak
• Suiderkruis
• Souweisa

Glentana main beach is clear. Therefore, the Blue Flag will be raised on 01 December 2022 should it remain clear of any contaminants.

South Africa: Airlink to increase flights between Johannesburg <> George!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink will increase flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and George Airport (GRJ) in George. Effective 11 December 2021, the airline will operate daily return flights to the capital city of the Garden Route. The extra flights are in addition to the early morning and late afternoon services that Airlink introduced on the route at the start of November 2021. The airline operates its modern Embraer E-Jets on the route. Customers have a choice of comfortable window or aisle business class and economy seats (there are no “middle” seats on any Airlink aircraft). Airlink also offers flights between George and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Airlink to re-introduce flights between Johannesburg <> George!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to re-introduce scheduled flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and George Airport (GRJ) in George. Effective 01 November 2021, the airline will initially operate early morning and late afternoon flights on the route. Midday services on weekends will be added from 06 November 2021. The early morning service will not operate on certain days during the Christmas and New Year recess. From 31 January 2022, Airlink will serve the route with three daily flights (Mondays to Fridays), one flight on Saturdays and two on Sundays. Airlink also offers flights between George and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.
Flights to the Garden Route’s gateway city will be operated with Airlink's modern Embraer E-jet offering customers a choice of business class and economy seats.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Western Cape: CapeNature implements the amended Alert Level 1 regulations!

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that the picnic areas and hiking trails in its Nature Reserves will remain open during Alert Level 1, while access to the beaches in Robberg Nature Reserve and Goukamma Nature Reserve will temporarily close from today until further notice. The closure excludes access to fishermen, with a valid fishing permit.  This comes after South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced tighter level 1 lockdown restrictions nationwide on 14 December 2020.
In addition, picnic and day visitor facilities in CapeNature's reserves in the Western Cape  operate at a reduced carrying capacity from today. Beaches in Nature Reserves managed by CapeNature outside of the Garden Route have a strict opening time of 09:00 and closing time of 18:00.
CapeNature also implements ad hoc daily patrols and check points in partnership with local municipalities and law enforcement. All visitors entering a controlled CapeNature reserve entrance gate will be subjected to a screening process upon arrival.

Covid-19: South African National Parks to introduce stricter safety measures for Garden Route National Park during the festive season!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that stricter measures to curb infections with Covid-19 will be introduce for all three sections - Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness - of the Garden Route National Park during this festive season. According to Vuyiswa Thabethe, General Manager for the Garden Route region of SANParks, the following measures will apply effective 16 December 2020: 

• A quota system will be implemented at all entrance gates in the Garden Route National Park in Tsitsikamma, Wilderness and Knysna. 
• Popular areas like Island Lake, Tarentaal and the Half-collard Kingfisher Trail will have a quota system, restricting the number of people entering the facilities.
• The Wilderness Lagoon area (Touw River Mouth), closer to the Wilderness beach, will be closed completely from the 15th of December 2020 to the 15th of January 2021. 
• Other controlled access areas in Wilderness include those leading to Big trees like Krisjian se Nek, Dalene Matthee memorial and popular picnic spots. Visitors will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The Knysna estuary will remain open for water-based commercial tourism activities, recreational fishing and bait collecting (in allowed zones) as well as recreational water activities. 
• Knysna Estuary users are requested to comply with the required Covid-19 prevention protocols, including social distancing, regular sanitising and use of masks. 
• All permitted commercial operators on the Knysna estuary have signed COVID-19 declaration protocols to confirm they comply with all the necessary COVID-19 prevention protocols and hence provide a safe and enjoyable experience for guests.
• Knysna estuary users are requested to comply with the required vessel capacity, both in terms of safety regulations and in terms of COVID-19 prevention regulations to ensure recreational use of the estuary does not become one of the sources of infections.
• All hiking and cycling trails in Garden Route National Park remain open and will implement a quota system.
• Picnic areas in Garden Route National Park that do not have an entrance gate will remain closed.
• Vessel and boat permits, activity permits and other recreational permits are available at Park reception areas on Thesen Island office (Knysna), Ebb & Flow Rest Camp in Wilderness and de Vasselot camp in Natures Valley.
• Visitors are reminded to always be in possession of a valid permit to avoid a fine being issued.
• Fishing and bait collection permits can only be purchased from the South African Post Office (SAPO) during official operating hours. 
• Annual or Seasonal Vessel Permits can be bought from the Thesen Island office (Knysna) Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 and Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00, only.
• Cycling permits (annual, monthly, family and daily permits) can be obtained from the Garden of Eden, Harkerville Office or Diepwalle Office.