Hermanus is a beautiful coastal town in the Western Cape of South Africa and the drive from Cape Town to Hermanus just requires one and half hours. There are two different routes to reach Hermanus, we would suggest you to take the R44 coastal route for the mind blowing ocean views along the way. You can also drive via Sir Lowry’s Pass which passes through wineries and towns. Here are our list of best things to do in Hermanus inclusive comprehensive Hermanus Travel Guide and Hermanus Accommodation.
Hermanus is famous for whale watching and should be at the top of your to-do list when visiting
Cape Town and the Garden Route.
Best time to visit Hermanus : Things To Do In Hermanus
People from all over the world comes here to experience whale watching tours of the marine Southern Right Whales which can only be seen during the migratory period between July-November which is considered to be the summer and peak season for whale watching.
However not only this town is famous for whale watching and shark cage diving, but also for some of South Africa’s best wineries as well.
Hermanus Accommodation : Things To Do In Hermanus
Luxury : The Marine Hermanus
Mid Range: Baleens Hotel Hermanus
Budget stays: Cosy Pied a Terre
We usually prefer staying in budget stays most of the time, and definitely found this place to be one of the cosy and comfortable corner after long. Would definitely recommend this stay if you’re looking for stays in budget or even if you are a backpacker. Perfect to 2 person.
Best Things to do in Hermanus
- Go for Wine Tasting at Benguela Cove
- Go for Whale watching tour
- Go for Shark cage diving at Gansbaai
- Swim or chill at Grotto beach
- Sit and read a book on the benches at Sievers Point
- Take a scenic stroll at Hermanus Cliff Path
- Visit Gearing’s Point and try your luck watching the whales sitting on a bench
1. Wine Tasting at Benguela Cove : Things To Do In Hermanus
If you have missed the chance to visit Stellenbosch for wine tasting, you can definitely quench your thirst here. Most wineries are open to the public and offer wine tasting from 10am to 5pm everyday. We didn’t have the time to explore too many wineries but would definitely suggest this place to you all. Benguela Cove offers choices for wide range of food and wine with cheese board platters, which you can check in their website and there is no need for advance booking. We tried their Cold Meat Platter which costed 270R and wine tasting was for 90R.
2. Go for Whale Watching at Hermanus
Whale watching should definitely be in your list while at Hermanus. It’s one of the best ever thrilling experience with the Southern Right Whales we had, truly amazing! We booked it through Southern Right Charters and trust us they are definitely the best tour operator for Whale watching with excellent team and reviews.
Timings for departure: The boat departs at 09h00, 12h00 and 15h00 daily and you must arrive at the briefing centre prior half an hour before departure. Per person charges (1020R)
3. Go for Shark Cage Diving at Gansbaai
Gansbaai is just 45min ahead of Hermanus, while we went for whale watching with the last boat we couldn’t make it for the shark cage diving the same day. However we have been keeping track on their website from past one month about the possibilities of seeing the sharks, but to our hard luck, with the recent appearance of number of Orcas or Killer whales which feeds on white sharks might have scared them away to other locations. So we could not make it face to face with the Great White Sharks the other day too. We would definitely come back to Cape Town just to do the shark cage diving or if somewhere
better, bucket list not ticked!!
You can book your shark cage diving through MARINE DYNAMICS SHARK TOURS which charges 2550R per adult and 1450R per kid. So do let us know in the comment section below if you have already placed this in your to do list, and if already done how was the experience? Would love to hear from you guys!
4. Visit Grotto Beach
Beaches and neighbourhoods in Hermanus are extremely quite and peaceful. The beaches here are safe for swimming, we couldn’t jump into the water because it was extremely freezing. Moreover right outside the beach you would see a cosy cafeteria, so don’t miss out their coffee or hot chocolate in a sunny or gloomy day!
5. Visit Gearing’s Point
Gearing’s Point is usually a lookout point for fishermen coming into Old Harbour although a small section of Gearing’s Point which also offers the possible views for whale spotting if you are lucky enough, just by sitting on the benches along the rocky ridges.
6. Take a scenic stroll at Hermanus Cliff Path
The cliff path at Hermanus is one of the town’s beautiful cliffwalk. Its exceeds upto 12km hugging the coastline starting from the New Harbour and ends Piet-se-Bos, just beyond Grotto Beach. This place offers many benches to sit and relax where you can enjoy ocean views and also spot some whales, if lucky.
7. Sit and read a book on the benches at Sievers Point
Sievers point is easily accessible by foot or by road, which is also one of the popular whale watching point along Hermanus cliff path. This point is located on a raised rocky platform which makes its easier to spot the whales at times.
And yeah that’s all about it, things you can do in Hermanus. So guys hope you find this blog helpful planning yours, and if you have any queries please write it down in the comment section below. We would try to help with the best of our knowledge.
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