If you are looking for things to do in Hermanus, you are in the right place. Hermanus is the perfect weekend getaway destination. In this article we will tell you five things that you can keep in mind when visiting this picturesque coastal town.
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Our List Of Things To Do In Hermanus
Hermanus is also known for its adventure activities like quad biking, trekking and sandboarding. The region is surrounded by wine estates. It is most famous for its marine life as one of the world’s best whale-watching locations. It is rivalled locally only by Mossel Bay for activities out on the sea.
Most people are not aware that South Africa has pockets of penguin colonies that visit its southern beaches. At Betty’s Bay, a few kilometers from Hermanus, the penguins are everywhere. You can cross paths with them resting among the vegetation or on the rocky outcrops.
Taking The Scenic Route
If you take the R44 to Hermanus, your weekend will start as soon as you leave the likes of Garden’s Bay behind. We can recommend this casual drive along the ocean if you have the time to spare.
And of course, you will need a place to stay. Hermanus has it all from plain to posh. You will certainly find something that fits your budget. To minimize the amount of driving that you need to do, try to find accommodation as close to Marine Drive as is possible.
Street Stalls and Markets
Hermanus has an abundance of street stalls and open air markets for the weekend traveler to explore. These are all situated around the main tourist region. These stalls offer more than just African art. You will enjoy strolling along the historic Hermanus promenade while moving from stall to stall.
Markets that you can check out are Hermanus Country Market, The Craft Market, and The Fernkloof Farmer’s Market.
Hemel & Aarde Valley
The Hemel & Aarde Valley is a wine lover’s paradise. Take the R320 turnoff and explore some of the best wine country and wines in there region. If you are not that much into the wine, the towering mountain will surely be something that you will enjoy. Many of these wine estates also prepare exceptional food for you to indulge in.
The spectacular views of nature to not end at the Hemel & Aarde Valley. From the north, the fynboss-adorned hills overlook the town, while from the south, the Atlantic ocean greets you with rocky shores and white sandy beaches to the east. It is even said that in Hermanus it is hard to take a bad landscape photo.
Food In Hermanus
While in Hermanus, you will make some of the hardest choices you have ever made. Unless you are a very picky eater, you will find more than one place whose foods you will want to try. From casual street food to elegantly prepared pieces of culinary art, Hermanus has it all. Be sure to check out local favourites like Betty Blue Bistro and Harbour Rock Seagrill and Sushi Bar.
Get in touch with Your Artistic Side
Hermanus has a thriving art scene and the town has, for many years, been renowned for it.
The town of Hermanus certainly has an artistic feeling about it. There are a few art galleries that you should check out, like Walker Bay Art Gallery, Roussouw Modern, and Art Thirst. You don’t have to look very far from them as they are all situated in and around the town’s tourist centre. Hermanus art galleries are also part of the worldwide First Fridays initiative which aims to bring art to the public. Every first Friday of the month, the galleries stay open until 8pm to integrate the art scene into the social scene and allow travelers and locals alike to enjoy the art on a Friday evening.
Whale Watching
No credible to do list of Hermanus would be complete without whale watching. The town is home to some of the best whale watching spots in the world. If you want to see these mammals in their splendor, you will have to visit during whale season which is from July to the end of November. In case, you are not sure where to find them, Hermanus has the world’s only whale crier who blowes a kelp horn to indicate where they have been sighted.
There are various places where you can sight whales, in some instances, even from your hotel room at hotels like X. If you really want to get up close and personal with these giants, you can book a boat based trip with one of the whale watching tour services like Southern Right Charters.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Fernkloof Nature Reserve is hosts one of the most rich and diverse floral kingdoms on the planet. The reserve covers 18 square kilometers of indigenous country in the Kleinriver Mountains of Hermanus. The natural beauty alone is worth the visit but there is also much to do. For active travelers, it has 60 kilometers of mountain trail that is ideal for hiking, along with a mountain biking trail.
You can walk along the famous 14 km long cliff path which offers some of the best views around, especially during the whale season. To help you find your way around, maps are available at the Visitor’s Centre and the Fernkloof Nursery. For the young ones, there is a 800m path from the Visitors centre to the waterfall, that follows a stream for a scenic stroll. Guided walks are available and can be booked in advance. For more information, you can visit the website.
Old Harbour Museum
If you want to gain some insight into the history of the village, the Old Harbour Museum is the ideal place to do so. While the museum is not large there are some exhibits on display that are remnant of the town’s whaling origins. You will see whaling implements and old photos that give you a window into the past.
Entry into the museum is an affordable R20 ($1.4) at the time of writing. The entry fee includes both the Whaling Museum and De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum
These are just some of the highlights that Hermanus has to offer. If you have visited Hermanus and think here is something others should know about, let us know in the comments below.