Hermanus – Whale watching and Shark Cage diving

Hermanus is surrounded by nature in her greatest form. It stretches along a short strip of land between imposing mountains and a breathtaking coastline. Hermanus is a mere hour and a half drive from Cape Town. The town center is built around the historic old harbor which overlooks Walker Bay. While the Fernkloof Nature Reserve carpets the slopes of Hermanus’s mountain backdrop.

This small seaside village provides a mesmerizing array of experiences. Whales and Great White Sharks, the world’s most diverse floral kingdom, mountain hikes and unspoiled beaches, are just a few of the attractions.

Besides whale watching and Shark Cage Diving, Hermanus is well worth visiting for its wine and cuisine.

Things to do in and around Hermanus

There is no one activity to single out when it comes to the many things to do in and around Hermanus. From whale watching and shark cage diving in Walker Bay to zip lining and quad biking, playing golf at the awe-inspiring 27-hole Hermanus Golf Club, tasting Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and many more fine wines, comparing craft beers, appreciating gin, exploring our art galleries and attending the Hermanus First Friday Art Walk… Hermanus is where you can escape to nature and breathe the champagne air along our spectacular cliff paths.

Meet the world’s only Whale Crier as he alerts you to the whereabouts of the whales by blowing his kelp horn.

Admire the diverse floral fynbos kingdom while hiking or biking in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve or laze on one of our pristine Blue Flag beaches.

Whale Festival

Hermanus is transformed for a few days each September. Thousands of visitors arrive to enjoy the arts and the environs-experience that is the Whale Festival. This is to celebrate the arrival of the Southern Right Whales that come to Walker Bay to calve and mate.

The Festival offers a variety of Eco-environmental activities. A children’s festival, an arts ramble that takes visitors to the studios and galleries of local artists, and other live entertainment. There’s also plenty of action for the health-conscious with five sporting events. Namely a triathlon, half-marathon, fun cycle ride and soccer day.

Hermanus Activities

If you like the outdoors, then you will love Hermanus! Some of the activities are:

Whale Watching

Every year Southern Right Whales migrate from their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer climates. They reach South Africa around June each year. The coastal waters teem with the giant animals. Mating, calving and rearing their young. Giving whale watchers spectacular displays of raw power and elegant water acrobatics. This has earned Hermanus the title of the best destination in the world for land-based whale watching. They can be seen from the rocks, cliff path, and vantage points along the coastal roads. At some establishments, visitors can enjoy a view of the whales from the veranda or even from their beds! The whales usually depart around November.

The Bryde’s and humpback whales also migrate through Walker Bay. This is usually between May and December.

Hermanus Whale watching — Whale watching

Shark Cage Diving

About 40 minutes from Hermanus is Gansbaai where shark cage diving is popular with visitors. Close to the southernmost tip of Africa, 5 miles (8km) out to sea, lies Shark Alley. This is a favorite hunting ground of the omnipotent Great White Shark. Shark Alley is a channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Fernkloof Nature Reserve covers 18 square kilometers in the Kleinrivier Mountains in Hermanus and ranges in altitude from sea level to 824m.

The name of the principal vegetation type of this region is fynbos. This is the collective name for a myriad of evergreen shrub-like plants with small firm leaves, often rolled. But also includes woody plants with hard leathery leaves, usually broad, often rolled.

The Fernkloof Nature Reserve comprises 0.002% of the Cape Floral Kingdom but contains 18% of its plants in just 18 square kilometers. There is no other place on earth where so many different species can be seen growing in such close proximity.

The Reserve lies across almost the entire northern side of the town with a 60 km network of trails. These provide the opportunity for people of all fitness levels to enjoy some exercise and fresh air. The various trails offer magnificent and unequaled views of Walker Bay, the Hemel en Aarde Valley and Maanskynbaai.

Hermanus Wine Route

Enjoy this wine route for its views, hospitality, food and its glorious wines. Approaching Hermanus from Bot River’s side you won’t be able to miss Benguela Cove on your right. This is a winery that covers much more than wine. You can book a high tea experience, lunch, and appreciate art. Especially the Sculpture Garden, and have the kids play in the Splash Park or on the pirate golf course. Or you can go on a pontoon ride on the Bot River. Benguela Cove is a place for the whole family.

At the start of the Hemel-en-Aarde Road (R320) is the Hermanus Wine Village. Here you will find most of South Africa’s fine wines, brandies, gins and craft beers. In close proximity is Whalehaven that is known for its chocolate pairing. And Hermanuspietersfontein Wines. Continuing on the Hemel-en-Aarde Road you will find Bartho Eksteen Wines.

Next up is Southern Right, Hamilton Russell Vineyards and Bouchard Finlayson with art, hiking trails and delicious charcuterie platters on offer. Then comes La Vierge. The Chef is renowned as the region’s steak master. And the views from the veranda are enticing to linger with a glass of bubbly. Leaving La Vierge you can take a left onto the Karwyderskraal Road to visit Bosman Hermanus. There is food, coffee, shopping, hiking trails and wine. If you don’t catch anything you can still order lunch. A stone’s throw away is the family vineyards of Newton Johnson Vineyards and Restaurant.

Continue to Springfontein for a wine and food combination. Then find Ataraxia Wine Lounge with art on display against the majestic backdrop of the Babylonstoren mountain range. Creation is next and offers a memorable wine and food pairing experience by serving innovative food platters, art exhibitions and a fynbos garden. A stop a Domaine des Dieux will have you clinking a glass of South Africa’s best bubbly.

About 5 kilometers from Domaine des Dieux is the Onion Shed farm stall and Seven Springs tasting room. Here you can enjoy farm fresh produce and light meals with wine sipping right next door.

Hermanus Golf

Over the years the Hermanus Golf Course has become one of the most popular golf courses in South Africa. Reputed to be one of the finest and most beautiful 27 holes of golf. The course is in magnificent scenery with views of the sea and a backdrop of the mountains. Close enough to the coast to be termed a links course, but with a parklands feel to it. Wildlife and natural Cape flora are attractive features and the many trees provide for ideal golfing terrain.

Twenty minutes drive from Hermanus is the acclaimed Arabella Golf Estate. This course is frequently voted the number two golf course in South Africa and the top golf course in the Western Cape. The course is diverse with links, parklands and coastal aspects within it. Features of the course are its wide fairways with plenty of bunkers and water hazards, and well-kept “bend grass” greens.

The Arabella Golf Club has been the annual home to the Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament since 2003, hosting the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Samuel L Jackson, Ronan Keating, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Tim Clark, Lee Westwood and Sam Torrance.

Abalone Tours

Abalone, also known as Perlemoen, is a shellfish that not only provides a local delicacy that fetches high prices on the local and overseas markets but is also used to make exquisite mother-of-pearl jewellery.

Also known as “Walker Bay Gold” this shellfish has been an integral part of life in Hermanus for a number of years. Several Perlemoen Hatcheries have been established in an effort to ‘mine’ this valuable commodity without putting a strain on the marine environment.

Heart of abalone offers a unique experience and the tour can be topped off with a tasting of this delicacy and an opportunity to purchase abalone-inspired jewellery designed by Ralph Walton Designs using the rare abalone marble pearls

Beaches of Hermanus

Hermanus has a network of beaches and bays, one of which has an acclaimed Blue Flag status. Popular for swimming, surfing, and its array of tidal pools, Grotto Beach is the most well-known and adored beach in Hermanus. Other enchanting beaches include Kammabaai and Voëlklip, both of which are family-friendly. Adrenalin-based activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, and shark-cage diving hold great appeal for the die-hard adventurer.

Grotto Beach

Grotto beach is a pristine Blue Flag beach that stretches for kilometres making it ideal for long walks. Dutchies’ Restaurant, a play park, lots of parking and excellent ablution facilities make this a favourite beach amongst holidaymakers. It is a typical Southern Cape sandy beach with good waves and usually pleasantly warm water. The beach can be reached by driving through the town of Hermanus, and as one is leaving the town, the beach is signposted off the main street of Hermanus. Lifeguards are in attendance throughout the season.

Hawston Beach

Hawston beach is tucked away in the village of Hawston as one drives towards the town of Hermanus. It is a truly beautiful beach with views of the sweeping mountains along the Cape coastline and along the extensive dune system which stretches along the coast for some distance. Hawston beach has some of the safest swimming along the Western Cape coastline. Treat the sensitive dune systems with care and only walk along the designated boardwalk systems.

There are picnic areas and braai/barbecue facilities in the back beach area as well as an Abalone Restaurant adjacent to the beach.

It is very rustic, rural and worth a visit (especially to watch the sunset!). Interpretive signage allows one the option to learn more about the unique vegetation and natural resources of the area.

VoëlklipBeach

This is a small beach that also has excellent ablution facilities and is great for those who don’t like sand, as there are large stretches of lawns above the beach. Voëlkip beach is popular with surfers and sunbathers.

Langbaai

This is a long beach in a secluded cove at the foot of the cliffs. Langbaai is considered to be the ‘secret’ beach of Hermanus. There are quite a few steps to get to the beach, which can make things difficult for elderly people or those with small children.

Kammabaai

Also known as Nanny’s Beach, Kammabaai is a family favourite. It has the best waves for surfing, picnic spots and braai sites under the milkwoods, and great rocks to climb.

Sandbaai Beach

The Sandbaai beach is dotted with rock pools full of marine creatures and is particularly popular at low tide when swimming is safe. It is also popular for snorkelling. There are changing rooms and showers.

Onrus Beach

This is also a favourite for families because of the safe swimming the lagoon provides. Onrus beach is popular with local bodyboarders and surfers and there are shower facilities. The Milkwood Restaurant overlooks the beach and provides takeaways and light meals.

Brekvis Baai

This little spot in Vermont provides a perfect setting for picnicking. Flanked by high dunes, the beach is sheltered. A favourite place for the sunbather and popular for sand boarding.

Directions from Cape Town to Hermanus

Take the N2 from Cape Town towards George. (45km from Somerset West to Botriver) Pass over Sir Lowry`s Pass. Drive straight until you will pass Grabouw. You will then pass over the Houw Hoek Pass. As you come down this pass Botriver will be on your left-hand side and shortly after you will see a turn-off on the R43 to Hermanus on your left. – Take this off Ramp. Carry along straight along the R43 Hermanus 31km to Hermanus *You will pass the Kleinmond turn. Pass Fisherhaven, Hawston, Vermont, Onrus and the Sandbaai. After the Sandbaai / Hemel en Aarde traffic lights, you will pass through two more sets of lights to find yourself in the centre of Hermanus.

Directions from the Garden Route to Hermanus

Take the N2 heading towards Cape Town, until you pass through Riviersonderend (river without end). Approximately 8kms further you get a turn-off left to Rietpoel / Stanford / Hermanus on the R326. Drive through wheatfields and sheep farms, until you reach an intersection. Drive straight across the intersection and continue driving until you reach Stanford. Before entering Stanford take the turn right to Hermanus for 20kms.