Worst air pollution Plettenberg Bay, today and tomorrow

Today (16 July): Air quality in Plettenberg Bay is fair. AQI and NO2 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 20.6/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Plettenberg Bay is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 31.1/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.

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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

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Plettenberg Bay's air quality benefits from its exceptional Indian Ocean and Bitou River estuary coastal position on the Garden Route, with consistent Indian Ocean and Atlantic sea breezes providing reliable maritime ventilation along this popular South African holiday resort coast. Vehicle traffic on the N2 Garden Route highway is the primary local source, while the surrounding Tsitsikamma and Knysna forests provide outstanding clean-air buffering and generally excellent conditions throughout most of the year.

Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 20:00

AQI:

Fair

20.6/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

13.3/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

4.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

20.6/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

18.9/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

18.6/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

4.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

12.8/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00

AQI:

Fair

31.1/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

13.0/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

4.4/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Fair

31.1/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

16.9/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

17.9/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0.0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

4.6/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

12.6/100

Pollen forecast in Plettenberg Bay

View pollen forecast

Sports venues in Plettenberg Bay

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Plettenberg Bay right now?

On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Plettenberg Bay is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 20.6/100. Pollution peaks around 8:00 PM (NO2: 20.6/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Plettenberg Bay?

On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Plettenberg Bay will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at fair at 31.1/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (NO2: 31.1/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Plettenberg Bay?

At Plettenberg Bay, air quality rarely varies much across the seasons, since the Garden Route's consistent rainfall and onshore winds provide reliable ventilation in both winter and summer months alike. The only brief exceptions come on calm, windless days, when local traffic emissions can build up slightly before the usual breeze clears them away again.

Are air quality levels in Plettenberg Bay based on measurements or forecasts?

It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.

Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.

For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app