The scenic coastal town of Hermanus is known as the best place in the world for land-based whale watching
WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Fabulous Hermanus
Fabulous Hermanus
HIGHLIGHTS
Walking on the beautiful cliff path and watching Southern Right Whales breaching
Enjoy one of the many internationally renowned vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde
Visit Grotto Beach, Hermanus’ own magically beautiful beach, 21 km
Hermanus is situated in the unique and attractive area of Walker Bay which is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and miles of white beaches. Hermanus with its breathtaking nature and famous cliff paths is known as the best land-based whale whatching spot in the world. Just a few meters from land on the cliffs you can watch whales in the bay, which makes Hermanus the best place in the world to see these magnificent mammals. During the whale season, which runs from June to early December, you can experience Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale and Bryde’s Whale.
To the east of the town are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the 21 km long, Grotto Beach. The town offers a wide range of accommodation of various standards and price ranges. There are many nice restaurants and it is crowded with small fascinating shops, galleries and a number of markets, all within walking distance.
For those of you who are exceptionally active, there is a large offering: a jog along the cliff paths with a stunning view of the ocean, hiking in the mountains, golf at some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world: Hermanus Golf Club located in central Hermanus and the international championship course Arabella Golf Course located about 26 km from Hermanus at the lagoon next to Botriver. Go kayaking, try handgliding, discover the great white sharks from a cage or why not try a horseback riding tour on the beach along with wild horses. Take part in an organized fishing tour or join a boat tour and catch your own crayfish.
Fewer people have discovered the more genuine and less commercial wine district around Hermanus. Hermanus and the surrounding wine district is therefore less touristic and less exploited. Enjoy a fantastic wine tour in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde, the second southernmost wine district in South Africa. The variation of wines is large and the award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are world class.
For those interested in flora and fauna, the beautiful fynbos-vegetation, characterized by proteas, consist of many rare and endemic species. Hermanus and the surrounding areas is a paradise for bird watchers. Few other places offer fynbos, mountains, coasts, and rivers in such a close and easily accessible terrain, which brings the approximately 60 different species of birds to the area. People from all over the world come to look upon the specific species of birds, like the Blue Crane.
Destinations to visit in and around Hermanus
Betty’s Bay
Approximately 40 minutes from Hermanus you find Betty’s Bay with Stoney Point penguin reserve. Visit the lovely garden Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, which is set between mountain and sea in the heart of the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos. The Garden Estate is the natural part of the garden with several kilometres of nature trails providing scenic views of forests, mountains and coastline.
Gansbaai
Approximately 40 minutes drive from Hermanus lies the world-famous shark-town Gansbaai. Experience a close encounter with the great white shark from a cage.
SHARK CAGE DIVNING GUEST REVIEW
”I will give the shark cage divning top marks, and we saw several large sharks. The information at breakfast before the tour contributed to a serious impression of the company, and especially their staff, lots of staff that all contributed and assisted the guests wiht their equipment before the cage dive. Boat, equipment, shark cage 🙂 – all gave a very good impression and were in good condition. Wetsuits in all sizes, good cyclops etc. The children received assistans and felt safe, so they too could dive without problems. The meeting time was changed from nine to seven, but they informed both via text message and called to our accommodation, so we got the information in good time. A super day and guaranteed with memories that will stay for a long time. ”
— LARS ÖQUIST
Rooisand Nature Reserve
Rooisand Nature Reserve is located near Kleinmond, about 35 minutes by car from Hermanus. This is where you can experience a horseback ride in fantastic nature on the beach, among wild horses or take the opportunity to take some riding lessons. Book a 2.5 hour horseback ride on the beach or a longer ride (about 4 hours) that includes a picnic or breakfast / lunch at a restaurant.
Botriver
Many of South Africa’s highly respected wineries are located around the village of Botriver (20 minutes drive from Hermanus) and are well worth visiting. If you are lucky, you can get yourself a sip of wine straight from the barrel.
Stanford
The cultural heritage and wine experiences in Stanford is worth to explore. Stanford is an idyllic town (10 minutes drive from Hermanus) which was founded in 1785 and named one of Africa’s best-preserved cities. Enjoy a delicious organic lunch on one of the beautiful surronding farms. Combine this with wine tasting in South Africa’s most southern wine district where its becoming more commonly that winemakers choose to settle.
Cape Agulhas
Enjoy a journey to the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the two oceans – the Atlantic and Indian Oceans – meet. Stay overnight in the charming town of Arniston and take the opportunity to visit some of the most southern wineries.
Activities
South Africa has a lot to offer in terms of activities. Upplev Sydafrika have put together activities to do in regions or areas you will visiting during your trip. Contact us for more information.
Suggested travel that includes Hermanus
Proposed itinerary Unique Wine Tours
10-DAYS UNIQUE WINE TOUR IN WESTERN CAPE
A return trip with a start in the gastronomic capital town, Franschheok and the wine capital, Stellenbosch. A visit to vineyards in Botriver and then on to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus. End the trip in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. During the trip you will visit Upplev Sydafrika’s specially selected vineyards – some of South Africa’s finest!
Proposed itinerary Exploring Tours
12-DAYS EXPLORING TOUR IN WESTERN CAPE
A return trip with a start in charming fish village of Paternoster. Of to the gastronomic capital town, Franschhoek and the wine district around Stellenbosch. Then on to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus and end the trip in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town.
Hermanus history
At the beginning of the 1800s large parts of South Africa still remained undiscovered. The inhabited areas were mainly close to colonial fortifications …
READ MORE ABOUT HERMANUS HISTORY
Hermanus-pietersfontein
At the beginning of the 1800s large parts of South Africa still remained undiscovered. The inhabited areas were mainly close to colonial fortifications. Hermanus Pieters arrived in Cape Town in 1815 and worked his way westwards as a teacher and shepherd (his salary was often paid in sheep by the farmers) in the smaller farm settlements which were built along the outermost border areas. One warm summer he walked through the Hemel-en-Aarde valley (heaven and earth) where a colony had established itself earlier. The colony told Hermanus about the Olifantspad (the elephant path), which crossed the mountain and down towards the coast. Once Hermanus reached the coast, he was taken by the the area’s beauty, an intense greenery with a river leading down to the ocean below. He decided to settle down by a spring with access to both food and water for his sheep. During the following years Hermanus returned to this area after each winter to fish and feed his sheep. The area beside the spring was eventually given the name, Hermanuspietersfontein. The word spread about the great fishing and animal feed the place offered. Soon, more and more farmers travelled to the area during the winter.
It was the farmers who initially found Hermanuspietersfontein but it was actually the fishermen who eventually settle there. Walker Bay was rich in fish and shellfish and the first fishermen settled permanently in the area at the end of 1850s. The fishing industry grew and was for long the growing town’s main source of income. Word of the place’s excellent fresh and healthy air and the beautiful nature spread to other areas of the country. Many hotels and Sanatorium opened and summer guests as well as patients came from as far away as London to enjoy Hermanus’ “Champagne air”.
In 1904, Hemanuspietersfontein was given township privileges and at the same time the town’s name was shorted to Hermanus – for practical reasons and upon advice given by the town’s post office.
One of the most prominent contributors to Hermanus’ picturesque environment is Sir William Hoy. Originally Scottish, Hoy worked his way up to become head of South Africa’s railway company in the early 1900s. As a regular guest in Hermanus, he appreciated the quiet and still environment as well as the fishing – Sir Hoy was a devoted fishing enthusiast. The villagers were convinced that a railway track should be build to Hermanus to attract a higher number of visitors. This should also be made easier because of the Railway President’s love for the growing town. Sir William Hoy had an other view and despite that a decision was made to build rail tracks and a train station from Bot River to Hermanus, the whole process was stopped by Sir Hoy. He wanted to maintain the peace and calm around Hermanus and did not want the rail tracks to destroy the idyllic place. Thus, Hermanus has the world’s only railway station which has never seen a train. Sir William Hoy died in Hermanus during one of his fishing trips and is buried beside his wife on a little hill, Hoy’s Koppie, namned after him inside Hermanus.
Text: Henrik Schauman
You can travel to South Africa all year round, but we recommend going September to May
Healthcare is good in South Africa. Even so we suggest obtaining a sound travel insurance before departure
As a EU and UK citizen, you will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in South Africa
To ponder before travelling:
The so-called “peak season” in December / January is very popular indeed and requires booking of accommodation, safaris, activities and restaurants well in advance.