Hermanus Info
About Hermanus
People from all over the globe visit Hermanus devotedly each and every year and once you have experienced this beautiful area wedged between mountain and sea with its unsurpassed scenic beauty you will understand why.
Even though Hermanus has grown rapidly during the past decade offering upmarket shops, fine restaurants and luxury Hermanus accommodation options, the town has retained its traditional village charm from a bygone era.
Our wish for you as our guest is that you will fall in love with Hermanus and return every year to your special hide-away and enjoy the peace and serenity of our beautiful village.
Why visit Hermanus
- Hermanus' most popular tourist attraction is without a doubt its fantastic whale watching opportunities. Hermanus offers the best location along the Cape Whale Coast Route to view these magnificent creatures close up.
- Home to no less than three Blue Flag Beaches being Grotto, Hawston & Kleinmond; guests can enjoy endless stretches of spectacular beaches and breathtaking scenery.
- The Hermanus cliff path is world renowned and visitors can stroll along the breathtaking cliff paths hugging 12km of coastline.
- For a golfing holiday Hermanus is ideal and keen golfers can enjoy 2 championship golf courses. Hermanus Beach Villa offers the ideal luxury bed & breakfast spot for a peaceful retreat after a long day on the green.
- Award-winning wine estates and fine wines can be enjoyed in the Hemel-en Aarde Valley. Hermanus is only a short drive away from Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl offering some of the finest wine estates in the world.
- Adrenalin activities such as shark cage diving in Kleinbaai, Gansbaai; just a short drive from Hermanus offers a life changing experience and attracts visitors from all over the world. Other popular activities include:
- Sea kayaking
- Whale & dolphin cruises
- Quad biking
- Beach horse riding
- Paragliding
- Scenic flights
- Mountain biking
- Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers 1800 ha of pristine natural beauty in the Klein Rivier Mountains above Hermanus overlooking Walker Bay ideal for nature walks and hikes. There is no other place on earth where so many different species can be seen growing in such close proximity.
- Hermanus offers an excellent variety in accommodation establishments from five star hotels, luxury guest houses, seafront bed & breakfast options as well as cosy cottages and self catering holiday homes. Hermanus Beach Villa offers one of the best luxury guest house locations in Hermanus as far as location, sea views and hospitality is concerned.
- Visitors to Hermanus are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine restaurants and culinary delights with fresh seafood, sushi and fine local wines readily available.
- Another major attraction to Hermanus is the fact that it is home to an amazing collection of art galleries and many well known South African artists are located throughout Hermanus.
Hermanus Whale Watching
Perhaps it's most extraordinary attraction is the superb whale watching in Hermanus, the heart of the Cape Whale Coast. Hermanus has been acknowledged by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the twelve best whale viewing locations in the world. The world's only whale crier has become a legend and is the most photographed icon in South Africa next to Nelson Mandela.
What makes the whale watching in Hermanus so phenomenal is the fact that the whales can be seen from as close as a few metres from the beach, shore or rocky cliffs.
The whales migrate from Antarctica in June, taking up to approximately 8 weeks to arrive in Walker Bay, Hermanus. Calving occurs in August and September and the males arrive in October for mating and this is also when the whale population is at its peak. The whale count is done from the air and is around 150 at the height of the season.
The legendary cliff path in Hermanus offers a 12 km long viewing platform promising some of the best whale watching on the planet. An hour long walk along the cliff path is a must not only for whale watching but also offers beautiful scenery and magnificent sunsets.
Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai
Gansbaai is situated only 2 hours from Cape Town and a mere 45km from Hermanus, approximately 30 minutes, providing the perfect base from where guests can enjoy first class shark cage diving and superb whale watching.
The Great White Shark is without a doubt the most feared creature on our planet. Its gigantic size, jet black eyes, razor sharp teeth and extendable jaws make this the ultimate predator. No diving experience is needed and divers as well as non-divers can enjoy a secure and unique shark diving experience. We only book and recommend licensed and reputable shark cage diving companies offering up close and personal shark cage diving!
You will be collected from Hermanus Beach Villa or you can drive to Kleinbaai where you will be treated to a delicious continental breakfast and discuss current sightings, indemnities, wet suits, equipment and how you will spend the next couple of hours diving and viewing these magnificent predators in their natural habitat. You will be briefed on all procedures.
Equipment
All the necessary diving and safety equipment will be provided for your shark cage diving experience in Hermanus. Please take suntan lotion, cap and sunglasses, a warm jersey/jacket and of course, a swimming suit and towel. If you know you are prone to motion sickness or even if you are unsure if you are, we advise you take medication before we depart so as not to spoil your shark cage adventure! And last but not least - don't forget your camera!!
Gansbaai
The Gansbaai area offers scenic beauty as well a variety of flora and fauna ... South Africa is famous for its Big Five yet Gansbaai boasts the Big Six and Seven represented by the Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale hence ideal for shark cage diving and world class whale watching opportunities. About five miles offshore, a small group of islands and reefs owe their international fame to the most wonderful and feared marine predator: The Great White Shark. Dyers Island is named after Samson Dyer, an American who came to the Cape in 1806, and who lived on Dyers Island where he collected guano.
Hermanus Hiking Trails
Apart from incredible whale watching opportunities which Hermanus is world famous for it is also rich in breathtaking scenery making Hermanus ideal for hikes and nature walks.
Visitors can choose the unique Hermanus Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff along the coastline to Grotto beach, approximately 12 km long. It is accessible from many points along the route and offers scenic views and fantastic close up whale watching in season. Hermanus Beach Villa is situated between Grotto beach and Voëlklip beach along the cliff path and offers luxury Hermanus accommodation for devoted nature lovers.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve provides well maintained trails overlooking Walker Bay offering visitors the opportunity to view the unique Cape Floral Kingdom’s many species up close. About 1500 different floral species have already been identified in this reserve. There are three self-guided trails of which one leads to Aasvoëlkop. At 824 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in the reserve and offers sweeping mountain and ocean views. Hermanus Beach Villa is situated only 2km from the reserve and offers the ideal luxury bed & breakfast spot in Hermanus.
Another option is to take a guided tour arranged by the reserve for a small fee suited to all ages and fitness levels and offers insight into the plants and animals of the area.
One of the newest attractions in the Hermanus area is a five day Whale Hiking Trail developed by Cape Nature. The trail starts in the De Hoop Nature Reserve near Bredasdorp and meanders through various reserve areas and along the coast, while providing comfortable overnight accommodation.
Hermanus Accommodation
The picturesque town of Hermanus with its many attractions and scenic beauty is ideal for a relaxing beach holiday, romantic honeymoon or a fun filled family holiday. Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to "where to stay" and Hermanus offers a vast range of luxury accommodation options from self-catering holiday homes to 5-star luxury hotels and exclusive beach villas.
Hermanus Beach Villa offers a unique location in the sense that you are within walking distance of all the most popular beaches. It offers luxury guest house accommodation at an affordable rate and includes a hearty South African breakfast and warm hospitality.
