Overview

The quaint coastal town of Hermanus is nestled on the southern coast of the Western Cape in South Africa. This charming town meanders along the western coast of enchanting Walker Bay between the majestic sea cliffs and the foothills of the Olifantsber Mountains. It is known for Southern Right Whale Watching and is particularly famous as the “best land-based whale watching destination in the world”. Also known as the Whale Watching Capital of the World, the seaside town is perfectly positioned on the windswept coast of Walker Bay, the perfect point for seeing the migratory whales that travel to these sheltered waters to breed and calve. 

Beautiful Hermanus boasts breathtaking scenery with its rugged coastline, embraced by majestic mountains and surrounded by verdant vineyards. The quaint fisherman’s village has a rich fishing history which can be seen in the Old Harbour Museum with its impressive whale skeleton exhibit. There are plenty of activities to choose from in Hermanus whether it be boating, fishing, hiking, or horseback riding the possibilities are endless. Hermanus is home to a list of never-ending unique attractions to keep visitors entertained; go cage diving with great white sharks, go paragliding, whale watching, kayaking, or take a sunset cruise on the spectacular waters. 

Hermanus is also referred to as the “Riviera of the South” with its attractive beaches, astonishing setting, quaint seaside cottages, and untouched natural beauty. The sun, sea, and sand found on Hermanus’s Blue Flag status beaches draw in holidaygoers and sun seekers. The small town offers a myriad of year-round activities so there is always something to do. 

Things to see and do

Go Whale Watching!! Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, is one of the best destinations in the world to see these magnificent majestic mammals up close. The Southern Right Whales migrate to these protected waters to calve and mate from July to November and can be done from the beach, the famous cliff path, by boat, or from the air on a scenic flight. Hermanus has had the only whale crier in the world who sounds his kelp horn to announce where whales have been sighted. 

Attend the annual b>Hermanus Whale Festival held at the end of September to celebrate the calving and mating season. Every year the seasons are celebrated with this fun festival for residents and visitors welcoming the migration of Southern Right Whales and other marine wildlife with ocean-themed activities, live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, and educational exhibits on marine life and conservation. Listen for the town's Whale Crier who stands watch on the waterfront blowing the dry kelp horn when a whale surfaces. 

Explore the Old Harbour Museum which houses several exhibitions explaining the local whaling industry as well as the De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum with a fantastic exhibition of photographic documentation of the history and development of the town. The fascinating museum also houses a skeleton of a whale, and The Whale House holds daily audio-visual presentations and slide shows explaining the life cycle of the Southern Right Whales. 

Take a Marine Big 5 Boat Trip! Africa’s epic Marine Big 5 includes African penguins, great white sharks, and pods of dolphins which can be seen from this fantastic guided boat tour with the friendly, experienced crew. Visit Dyer Island for the rewarding experience of the Geyser Rock which is home to around 60,000 Cape Fur Seals. 

Join a wine safari or wine tour of the dreamy Hemel-en-Aarde Valley wine estates. Hemel-en-Aarde or Heaven on Earth is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most exciting wine areas due to its high altitude and clay-rich soil. Wine lovers can take a unique hop-on hop-off safari-style tour and visit different cellar doors, wine estates, and boutique wineries to sample delicious award-winning wines, and food as well as take in the epic views. 

Walker Bay is popular for many things when visiting Hermanus. Visitors can head out on the calm waters of the bay on a kayaking adventure and explore the stunning coast. Gliding over the blissful marine reserve allows kayakers to catch sightings of Cape Fur seals, penguins, cormorants, and other sea birds, and marine mammals. 

Take a scenic flight over Walker Bay where you will be able to spot the spectacular marine life below and the famed Hermanus whales in their natural habitat. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes passengers to the sky from Hermanus to Standford over the dramatic Kleinrivier Mountains. 

There is a wide array of beautiful coastal beach walks and cliff-side walks along Walker Bay for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. Between Hermanus’s New Harbour in the west and Piet-se-Bos in the east, there is a 7.5-mile coastal path along the clifftops boasting undisturbed views over the ocean and any marine life passing through. There are viewing benches spaced strategically along the coast. 

Visit Fernkloof Nature Reserve which spreads across the Kleinrivier Mountains. There are 37 miles of verdant trails where visitors can walk among rare heather-like fynbos vegetation and look around for wildlife like rock hyraxes, mongoose, baboons, and Cape grysbok. 

Hermanus Lagoon also known as the Klein River is located just outside Hermanus, it is 6.21 miles in length and surrounded by the beautiful majestic Klein River Mountains, and the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. The entrance is found at Grotto Beach in Voelklip and the area is home to over 130 bird species, including rare coastal breeds like the impressive fish eagle.

Shopping

There are some great markets in Hermanus worth exploring. The markets are a great place to shop for local food with an amazing array of fresh organic produce, homemade delicacies, artisan bread, probiotic yogurts, handmade cheeses, smoked fish, happy hen eggs, wheat-free bakes, arts and crafts, as well as live music. The Hermanus Market is held at the Hermanus Cricket Club every Saturday from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. 

The streets in downtown Hermanus are brimming with markets and boutique stores, it's a good place for a stroll and to do some window shopping. 

Beaches

There are several beautiful beaches to check out when visiting the charming seaside town of Hermanus nestled along South Africa’s coast. Spend a day on the tranquil stretches of golden white sands, the town’s natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere can be found at one of the many beaches. 

Grotto Beach is Hermanu’s largest beach and holds the acclamation as a Blue Flag Beach. Grotto boasts a spacious stretch of family-friendly sands and is known for its clean, calm waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other activities. There is a park here for kids, beach games, and picnic areas. There are lifeguards on duty and dogs are welcome on leashes.

Kammabaai Beach is another Blue Flag Beach near Hermanus it is also known as “Nanny’s Beach”. This family-friendly beach is very safe for swimming and features several rock tidepools for exploration where marine life can be seen. It is also a good beach for surfing with gentle waves. It is linked to Voelklip and Grotto Beach by a cliff park. 

Voelklip Beach is another Blue Flag beach in the area surrounded by verdant hills, it is a surfer's paradise and a peaceful beach with a long stretch of sand. During peak season this beach is buzzing with activity and is close to amenities. 

Macassar Beach is a quiet retreat located on the eastern slopes of False Bay. It is the perfect setting for a peaceful beach day with pristine sand and a protected environment for swimming and surfing. 

Dining

Hermanus is home to a great variety of dining options. The seaside resort town features some well-known franchises, cozy restaurants, and rustic eateries, and is not short on seafood restaurants due to its location on the harbor. Hermanus restaurants also focus on farm-to-table dining showcasing the country’s bountiful produce. Food lovers can find everything from sushi to steak, quaint coffee shops, and five-star restaurants, there is something for every appetite. The seafront area in the heart of town is where a great collection of gourmet restaurants, outdoor cafes, pubs, and coffee shops are. These locations allow diners to take in the seaside views along the promenade. Flavors in town range from authentic South African cuisine to Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options. 

Seafood is a specialty in Hermanus with many restaurants offering a line fish of the day, a fresh catch of the day, fresh mussels, calamari, and prawns. The restaurants in town also offer a variety of food and daily specials many are known for their incredible views and outstanding service. There are some excellent steak houses found between Hermanus town and Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Hemel-en-Aarde also offers some great options during the day with opportunities for food and wine pairings, picnics, and exquisite lunches hosted on various wine farms. Hotels in Hermanus offer their guests some classical dining experience with outstanding menus and extensive wine lists, wine is renowned in this area as well as the views. There are two Saturday morning food markets, one is the Hermanus Country Market where visitors can stock up on delicious homemade eats and gourmet treats, preserves, fresh produce cakes, and local wines. 

Nightlife

Hermanus surprisingly offers a buzzing nightlife with many options including bars, cocktail lounges, nightclubs, and tapas bars. In the heart of downtown is where many of the nightlife scenes can be found with clubs, pubs, and places to enjoy a tropical cocktail with island-inspired decor. The seaside town offers beachfront wine bars and trendy restaurants to grab a drink and watch the sunset. There are some upmarket nightlife establishments where partygoers can expect luxury bars, warm indoor and scenic outdoor settings, and an incredibly friendly atmosphere. Local pubs always offer a fun atmosphere with a chance to meet the townsfolk and sip on a local beer or wine, there are many hidden gems like this in Hermanus. There are opportunities to listen to live music, go dancing, or simply relax for a drink at the end of a busy day of whale watching.