Top 7 Activities in Hermanus
Written by Daryll Williams
Hermanus is a lovely coastal town found in South Africa, about a 90-minute drive from Cape Town. The place has it all: it’s South Africa’s number 1 whale-watching destination (there’s even a festival dedicated to the event), it has the Blue Flag beaches, hiking and mountain-biking trails, 20+ art galleries, lovely restaurants, and some world-famous wine farms. What more do you need? 😍 Here’s our list of top activities in the Whale Route town Hermanus.
1. It’s a whale wonderland
Hermanus is widely considered the best place in the world to see whales from the shore. Put simply, whale watching in Hermanus is an incredible wildlife experience for 5 months of the year.
Hundreds of magnificent southern right whales migrate here from July to November. They join a resident collection of Bryde’s whales and humpback whales. You can see these giants breaching just 50 m from the shore, and you can’t miss them. Not only due to their enormous size, but Hermanus has its own whale caller who alerts everyone to every sighting.
2. Wander through the Winelands
South Africa is famous for its excellent wines and is now considered the 7th largest wine producer in the world! While visiting Hermanus, you’ll find yourself within easy access of more than 70 wineries, all located in spectacular mountainous and coastal sceneries. Enjoy a tour of the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley wine farms, including professional wine tasting sessions, and then relax with a delicious lunch at one of the wineries before heading back to the town.
3. Arts abound
Art lovers can enjoy the town’s artistic and bohemian vibe with plenty of art galleries and outdoor sculptures to check out. There are a number of galleries available to visit, including the Walker Bay Art Gallery, which displays 20th-century and contemporary South African art pieces, as well as the work of up and coming artists in South Africa. Or, you could just stroll around town and admire the various attractive sculpture pieces on display.
4. The beaches are bountiful
There are amazing beaches for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing on the Walker Bay coastline. Grotto Beach is the longest beach in Hermanus and is perfect for endless afternoon walks. This beautiful sandy beach with mountains as a background boasts Blue Flag status. It’s one of 45 beaches in South Africa receiving this high rating for water quality, services, and safety. Grotto is a fantastic beach for walking, playing, swimming, and sunbathing!
5. It’s a hiking haven
The Hermanus Cliff Path is a winding coastal trail that runs from New Harbour to Grotto Beach, offering astonishing views of Walker Bay and its whales along the way. Hikers will also love Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which has many different hiking trails. As part of the Cape Floristic Region, the reserve is a botanist’s paradise with more than 1.250 species of plants, including many different types of endemic fynbos. Keep an eye out for wildlife ranging from grey rhebok and Cape grysbok antelope to baboons and rock hyraxes.
6. Quality restaurants are rampant
Hermanus is no longer a sleepy little fisherman’s village; it is a wildly popular tourist destination with some fantastic culinary hot spots. Whether you want to go fine dining, eat great seafood with fantastic views of the ocean, or visit a spot located on the scenic landscapes of the Hemel en Aarde valley surrounded by vineyards and mountains, you can find it all.
7. Klipgat Cave is a knockout
Located just 3 km from the idyllic De Kelders fishing village is the cave which forms part of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. Apart from its limestone windows that offer magnificent ocean views, the cave is rich – both culturally and historically. It was also named a World Heritage Site in 1992 due to the excavation of stone tools and human bones that date back 70.000 years ago. You should brace yourself with a jacket for when the winds get overwhelming and remember to wear good hiking shoes to avoid sliding.
Visit the home of the whales
With its gorgeous scenery, fascinating sea life, and range of activities, Hermanus is a must-visit destination when experiencing the Western Cape. Ready to book your trip of a lifetime? Get in touch!
