10 best things to do in Hermanus
Looking at visiting whale town?Here are the 10 best things to do in Hermanus
Looking at the 10 best things to do in Hermanus? Explore with us as we take you on a journey into this stunning town. Situated about 90 minutes from Cape Town, Hermanus is the perfect mix of small town sophistication and a stunning natural playground.World-class shopping and dining experiences are never too far from beautiful scenery that includes harbours, the Overberg mountains, Southern Right Whales, indigenous Fynbos bush, the Fernkloof and Walker Bay Nature reserves and stunning white sand beaches.
Discover 10 of the best things to do in and around Hermanus.
1. Visit the country market
Open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, the market is a great place to visit. And it’ no wonder-the market has won the ‘best market in South Africa’ award several times. Come early, pick up some farm fresh veggies and artisan bread, enjoy coffee and breakfast, meet up with friends, share a bottle of wine, enjoy live music, shop for hand-made handcrafts or try the various craft beers on tap.
The market is kid, husband dog friendly. Just make sure your husband is on a leash. Situated by the Hermanus Cricket Club. Easy peasy to find. Just ask a local if you can’t find it-they will most likely be heading there themselves.
2. Take a stroll along the Cliff Path
A definite high roller in when it comes to the 10 best things to do in Hermanus. The infamous Cliff Path stretches for about 12km from the New Harbour until Grotto Beach. The path hugs the shoreline and offers some stunning views. During the whale watching season ( July until late November), the walk offers some spectacular whale spotting viewing spots.
The path is straight forward and easy to follow. Hiring a guide for the Cliff Path walk is a great option. You will learn a lot more about the Southern Right whales, the culture and history of Hermanus. And stress not!!!! You don’t have to complete the whole 14km. You can start and end wherever you fancy.
3. Go beyond the cellar on a Hermanus Wine Farm tour
The Overberg region of Hermanus is a bucket list destination for foodies, wine enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurists alike. And he climate is perfect for wine production. Hermanus is one of the coolest and most southerly wine growing regions in South Africa, with a distinct maritime influence to its Mediterranean climate.
The conditions are ideal for the production of fresh and well-balanced wines of high quality and finesse. With mixture of the ocean, mountains, valleys ‘champagne’ air, a wine farm tour is amongst the 10 best things to do in Hermanus. Enjoy a sociable and educational wine tour experience in the Hemel-en Aarde Valley. Our tours depart daily. We offer a hand-selected collection of Hermanus’ premium wine farms offering quality winery experiences based around world class wines, warm and knowledgeable hospitality and culinary excellence.
4. Take a hike in Hermanus
Hermanus is a hiking junkies utopia. Follow us down the rabbit hole as we explore some of the best hiking experiences in the area. Our routes include the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, The Kleinrivier Mountains, Walker Bay lagoon and the beach from DeKelders to Grotto.There is a selection of hiking tours to choose from.
The hiking options include a variety of options in the mountains, on the beach, indigenous forests and nature reserves. Whether you are a novice hiker looking for a 2 hour hike, or more seasoned slogger looking for a multi day hike, we have you covered. Our speciality is providing a Pack-Free walking experience allowing you to walk with as little as your water and camera. And at the end of each day, you’ll enjoy scrumptious food perfectly matched with local wines and the best hand-picked accommodation.
5. 4×4 Nature drive in Walker Bay and DeKelders
So you’re looking at the 10 best things to do in Hermanus? But you’ve seen the smelly, undernourished and physically broken hikers coming off the mountain before. You’re not one for the cold surfing conditions. You’ve seen the poor cyclists bent over as they grind their way up the Hemel-en Aarde Valley. And the wine farms may just seem a tad too hairy toity for you.
No ways. You want no part of such activities.But….you love adventure and trying something a tad different. Bring on the 4×4 Walker Bay and DeKelders tour. The only condition is that the tour is done the proper way. In an old school Landcover Defender. The experience will take you into some of the remote areas of the nature reserve.The highlight is a wine and cheese ( or beer and biltong) picnic on the beach. If you are feeling energetic, enjoy a 6km beach walk to conclude the tour.
6. Kogelberg Overnight Hike
Rated as one of the most scenic areas in the Overberg, the Kogelberg hike is a ‘must do’ on any avid hikers list of things to do. Situated just west of Kleinmond, and close to Betty’s Bay, Kogelberg is one of the best examples of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The beauty of its flowers, indigenous forests, high mountain peaks, steep kloofs, valleys and several tributaries of the pristine Palmiet River make the route an ideal hiking experience.
The highlight, besides the stunning scenery is the overnight accomodation in the eco lodge situated in the Cape Nature reserve of the Kogelberg. The hiking distances average about 14km a day. Hikers would need to have a moderate level of fitness. And don’t stress about the logistics. The guides handle everything from luggage transfers, meals, guiding and bookings.
7.Surfing lessons in Hermanus
Book a surfing lesson, and learn one of life’s most satisfying skills out on the water! A fun and active activity, surfing allows you to obtain the feeling of flying along the water along with seeing actual progress in your skills – designed for absolute beginners as well as the advanced, you’ll start out learning how to stand, how to read the waves, and the basics of surf survival before progressing your skills and becoming an adept wave-getter. The lessons are held at Voelklip Beach and include the board and wetsuits hire.
8. Whale Watching
Its what Hermanus is famous for!!!! The number one thing to do in Hermanus.Get up close and personal with The Southern Right whales that visit the bay every year between July and November. There are basically 2 ways to see the whales. Book onto a boat and see them in the open ocean.Or embark on a guided land based whale watching tour. Both options are equally rewarding offering different aspects, insights and angles to these majestic mammals.
9. Art gallery tours that will draw you in
Draw you in? LOL.We crack ourselves up. Explore the quaint streets and 22 art galleries of Hermanus. Mingle with respected gallerists and marvel at works of South African masters and up-and-coming talent. Turn the walk into a crawls as you enjoy a few ‘rest breaks’ in one of the many fine wine bars or restaurants along the way.
10. Kayaking that will float your boat
Enjoy a 1.5 hour ocean kayaking experience from the New Harbour along the coast, finishing at the Old Harbour. If you lucky, you may even see a whales and dolphins along the way.
But wait.. there’s more
There is so many other things to do in Hermanus. These activities range from:
- SCUBA diving,
- kiteboarding,
- fat biking,
- photography tours,
- helicopter flips,
- sunset cruises,
- fishing
- and golf.
Because Hermanus is so physically diverse, you can have lots of different adventures during your time here. And as there are so many unique things to do, it can be overwhelming to try and plan your trip. Even if you have no idea where to start, the good thing about Hermanus is you can’t go wrong! Culture and natural beauty thrive in all corners of the town.
