The coastal town of Hermanus in South Africa is located directly along the famous Garden Route (between Mossel Bay and Cape Town) and boasts a stunningly beautiful location right on the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. This charming town is especially known for its spectacular whale watching. From June to November, you have the opportunity to observe the gigantic Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales in Walker Bay from land.
Of course, you can also hop on one of the excursion boats and marvel at the whales from the sea. But even outside of whale season, a trip to Hermanus is worthwhile. A variety of excursion destinations, beautiful beaches, charming markets, and much more await you. In the following article, we reveal the most beautiful sights and highlights in Hermanus. Enjoy browsing!
- General information about the town of Hermanus
- Hermanus sights
- Cafés & restaurants
- Excursions around Hermanus
- Hotel tips for Hermanus
- Hermanus in South Africa – Our conclusion
- Short FAQ & travel tips
General information about the town of Hermanus
You can easily reach Hermanus via the N2 national road. From Cape Town, it’s about 100 km east before you turn south onto the R43 just after the Houwhoek Pass. Then it’s only another 35 km along the coast until you reach Hermanus. If you’re coming from the east on the N2, turn onto the R326 behind Riviersonderend and continue via Stanford to Hermanus.
The town is not only known for its fantastic whale watching, but also for its first-class wine, mild and pleasant climate, stunning beaches, and scenic surroundings. If you’re traveling along the Garden Route, you should plan at least 2 days for the coastal town of Hermanus, even outside of whale season.
Hermanus Sights
The popular coastal town of Hermanus, picturesquely nestled between imposing mountains and the deep blue sea, has established itself worldwide as a leading destination for whale watching. But despite all the hustle and bustle, Hermanus has never lost its charming character. In the following chapter, we present our favorite sights in Hermanus.
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1. Hermanus – Whale Capital of the Country
Hermanus is known for the observation of Southern Right Whales that flock to Walker Bay. This annual spectacle attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. From organized whale-watching boat tours to quiet vantage points along the 10-kilometer Cliff Path Trail, you’ll have numerous opportunities to experience the whales up close. The best months for whale watching are between July and November, with the peak of the season being in September.
Hermanus is even called the “Whale Capital, because every year from June/July, southern right and humpback whales arrive from the Antarctic to mate and give birth. They usually stay until November. We were told that pregnant whale mothers even bring a midwife with them to carry the babies to the surface so they can take their first breaths. Isn’t that wonderful? The whales come into the bay and can be admired from many different vantage points on the cliffs. Sometimes they even come within 50 meters of the shore.
Book Whale Tours
In Hermanus, you can watch whales from land. While strolling through the charming town center, we happened upon the Gecko Bar. The restaurant offered a fantastic view of the ocean. There were also binoculars hanging at the table, which we were allowed to use. We were even lucky enough to see a whale in the bay. Update: Unfortunately, there are no longer any binoculars in the Gecko Bar. We generally recommend bringing your own binoculars for your trip anyway. Click here for our favorite pair of binoculars.
Would you rather take a guided whale-watching tour in Hermanus? GetYourGuide* offers various options for experiencing the giants of the sea up close. How about a 2-hour boat tour from Hermanus, for example? On this whale-watching adventure, you can climb to the upper deck of the boats and enjoy unobstructed views, weather permitting. Dolphins and seals can also be spotted during these tours. October is said to be the best time to see whales. Up to 150 whales can be found frolicking in the bay at that time.
2. The beautiful Cliff Path Trail
Another top attraction in Hermanus is the picturesque Cliff Path Trail. This approximately 10-km-long path runs directly along the coastal cliffs and winds through beautiful natural surroundings. It stretches from New Harbour to Grotto Beach and leads along the spectacular Walker Bay. During whale season (June to November), numerous viewpoints and platforms along the trail offer opportunities to observe the majestic whales in the bay.
Apart from whale watching, the Cliff Path Trail offers breathtaking views of the coastal landscape and the ocean. You’ll surely be as captivated by the rugged beauty of the cliffs, coves, and beaches as we were and still are. There are also several picnic areas along the way, perfect for a relaxing break with ocean views. The entire trail is well signposted and easily accessible. Much of the trail is paved or sealed, making it a very pleasant hike.
The entire trail takes around 90 to 120 minutes, depending on your pace. At the end is Dutchies Restaurant on the beautiful Grotto Beach. You can then take a taxi, hitchhike, or hike the same way back to Hermanus town center. During our first visit, we simply hitchhiked back to the center. An elderly lady with her five dogs gave us a ride. It was a pretty cool experience being among all the dogs.
3. Grotto Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in the region is certainly the approximately 18 km long Grotto Beach, which is located east of the town center and extends as far as De Kelders. It has also been awarded the Blue Flag. Here you can not only take long walks but also swim, sunbathe, and relax. On the beach is the Dutchies Restaurant with a Summer Lounge, where you can also rent sun loungers and parasols. Restrooms and parking are also available.
4. Fernkloof Nature Reserve
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve stretches across the foothills of the Fernkloof Mountains and surrounds the town of Hermanus. It is located approximately 120 kilometers east of Cape Town and is therefore easily accessible by car. The reserve is known for its exceptional biodiversity, particularly in terms of flora. Thousands of different plant species await you, including many endemic and rare species, as well as impressive fynbos vegetation, which is typical of the region.
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers an extensive network of hiking trails of varying difficulty. The trails lead you through lush forests, imposing mountain ranges, and diverse fynbos areas. There are various circular trails of varying lengths, so you can explore nature at your own pace.
Visitor Information Fernkloof Nature Reserve
- How to get there: 5-10 minutes by car north of Hermanus
- Visitor Center with parking and toilets on site
- Opening hours summer: 6am-7pm
- Opening hours winter: 7am-7pm
- Admission: free, but donations are welcome
- Recommended walks:
- Blue Route = 2km | 30min
- Green Route = 3.5km | 60min
- Red Route = 3.5km | 60min
- Orange Route = 13.5km | 4-5h
5. Hermanus Art Walk
Hermanus also has a vibrant art scene. In the town’s over 18 art galleries, you can admire the works of local artists, from paintings and sculptures to crafts and photography. The Hermanus Old Harbour Museum also offers historical insights into the town’s past. Here you can see numerous relics from the days of whalers and other fishermen.
The First Fridays Art Walk in Hermanus is part of a worldwide initiative to make art and art galleries more accessible to the public. On the first Friday of every month, the art galleries in downtown Hermanus are open until 8 p.m. Stroll through town, discover the numerous treasures, and enjoy a glass of wine or two. Download the following map: First Fridays Art Walk in Hermanus (you can also find them in the local galleries).
6. Markets in Hermanus
The Hermanus Country Market takes place in Hermanus every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here you can find a variety of organic produce, vegetables, fruit, spices, spreads, homemade products, wines, and much more. Live music and children’s programs are also provided. The Fisherman’s Village Craft Market also takes place daily from 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. At the stalls, you can primarily purchase creative, handmade products. The Onrus Craft Market also takes place in Hermanus’s De Wet Hall on the first Saturday of every month.
Cafés & Restaurants
In Hermanus, you can not only experience a lot, but also eat incredibly well. We have listed a few cafes and restaurants for you to try during your trip.
Day Trip Destinations around Hermanus
There’s also a lot to experience around Hermanus, which is why we highly recommend a stay. As already mentioned, a hike in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve might be of interest to you. Alternatively, we have a few more tips for you:
1. Clarence Drive (R44)
If you’re traveling from Cape Town, we recommend the route via the R44 from Gordon’s Bay towards Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay. This panoramic road is definitely one of the most scenic in the country. It takes you past the beautiful Hottentots Hollands Mountains and the ocean. If you’re there at the right time, with a bit of luck, you might even spot whales in False Bay. Along the way, you’ll pass some viewpoints that couldn’t be more beautiful. The view of Kogel Bay Beach is highly recommended.
2. Penguins in Betty’s Bay
Approximately 50 km from Hermanus, the small, tranquil town of Betty’s Bay is located directly on the sea. Here, in the Stony Point Nature Reserve, you can marvel at a large colony of penguins. You can walk along the cliffs on wooden walkways and observe and photograph the small African penguins from a safe distance. You can also see the penguins outside the reserve, directly on the beach near the parking lot. There, too, they waddle around and sometimes like to hide under a car.
Visitor Information Betty’s Bay
- Parking: Free in front of the reserve
- Opening hours: Daily from 8am to 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm)
- Entrance fees: 30 Rand Adults | 20 Rand children (Wild Card not accepted)
- Brochure: more information here
3. De Kelders
Right next to Hermanus is the town of De Kelders, which is also an excellent place for whale watching. From the holiday homes, you have a magnificent view of Walker Bay, and with a little luck, you can even spot whales in the sea while enjoying your first morning coffee on the terrace or balcony. You should bring a pair of high-performance binoculars with you. During the day, treat yourself to a good coffee on the balcony of the “Coffee On The Rocks” café and enjoy the view of the sea.
4. Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Right next door is the beautiful Walker Bay Nature Reserve, which we explored on our last trip. The reserve encompasses five coastal areas between Hermanus and Die Dam near Struisbaai. The walk to Klipgat Cave and the adjacent dream beaches is highly recommended. The scenery is breathtaking! For us, this reserve is one of the most beautiful in the entire country.
Visitor Information Walker Bay Nature Reserve
- Address: 4 Normandie St, De Kelders, 7220 South Africa
- Opening hours: daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Entrance fees: 60 Rand adults | 40 Rand children
- Brochure: more information can be found here
5. African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
On our way to Hermanus, we stopped at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. At this facility, injured and sick penguins and other waterfowl are treated and then returned to the sea. We were told there that penguins are usually injured by fishing nets or shark attacks.
They do such important work and save these animals, which are already threatened with extinction. The information center is highly recommended, and you can also order delicious cheesecake and coffee there while watching the penguins through tinted windows.
Visitor Information African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
- Address: Van Dyks Bay, 7220 South Africa
- Opening hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Admission prices: free; However, donations are welcome
Hotel tips for Hermanus
During our first trip together in 2016, we stayed at the Hermanus Backpackers*. This hostel is well located for the city center, the beaches, and the Cliff Path Trail. These days, we no longer stay in hostels, preferring nice hotels or guesthouses. Most recently, we stayed in a lovely studio at The Potting Shed Guest House*. You’ll generally find a great selection of accommodations in Hermanus. We have picked out a few gems for you.
Great hotels and B&B’s in Hermanus
- Cliff Cottage Hermanus*
- Misty Waves Boutique Hotel*
- Oude Schuur Boutique Guesthouse*
- The Whale on Main B&B*
- Villa Venusta Luxury Guesthouse*
- Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel & Spa*
Hermanus in South Africa – Our Conclusion
We really like the small coastal town, especially the relaxed holiday atmosphere. We were there during whale season and even saw whales in the bay from land. It was a unique experience. We were last there out of season at the end of January and can highly recommend this time of year as well. There was very little going on there and the weather was fantastic. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet! For us, Hermanus is definitely a must on any trip along the Garden Route and around Cape Town.
Small FAQ & Travel Tips
How long does it take to get there from Cape Town? Is Hermanus safe? How many days should you stay in Hermanus? When is the best time to visit Hermanus?