Nelson Bay Cave

Nelson Bay Cave, located in Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, is a renowned archaeological site that reveals the story of early human settlement along South Africa’s coast. Visitors can walk the scenic reserve trail to reach the cave, where informative displays explain its prehistoric significance. Excavations uncovered stone tools, ancient fire remains, and animal bones dating back 120,000 years, alongside Later Stone Age artefacts such as microliths and ostrich eggshell beads. Notably, these discoveries illustrate how early hunter gatherers adapted to coastal resources and developed symbolic practices.