Hermanus is a little town in the Overberg region which is in the Western Cape, (The southern part of South Africa) with a population of around 47 000 people as per the 2011 Census – Hermanus South Africa’s most loved Town
Why is Hermanus so Popular?
Hermanus is considered to be the best town in the world for whale watching. The Southern right whales and the Humpback visit the warm waters of Hermanus for about 6 months of the year (Early June to Early December). The best times to see the whales is around September to November.
Hermanus have some of the best wine farms in South Africa including the Hamilton Russel wine estate that was a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Hermanus have more than 70 restuarants and coffee shops with some of the finest views in South Africa. You can watch whales while grabbing lunch at many restuarants or coffe shop and enjoy scenic mountain and ocean views.
Hermanus is worth visiting for the art, mountain trails, museums and it’s rich history. Although Hermanus get visitors from all over the world the majority of the tourist includes the Dutch, Germans and Americans.
There are many walking paths alongside the ocean and mountains but he main attraction for Hermanus and surroundings are whale watching, shark cage diving and wine tasting.
Hermanus has three of the best and well maintaned beaches in the Western Cape named Onrus Beach, Grotto Beach and Voelkip beach. The beaches has reatuarants and there are Ice Cream vendors and Onrus Beach is aso a very popular fishing spot. We will link the best fishing spots in Hermanus at the end of this article.
Hermanus has many antique shops. Antique lovers can visit Romantiques and Chilli Pepper Lifestyle that is situated in the heart of the village. You will find jewelery stores and art shops all over town and an African Market next to Victoria Square.
15 Things to do in Hermanus all year round
- Whale Watching
- Shark Cage Diving
- Cycling and MTB
- Scenic Hiking Routes
- Boat Cruises
- Fishig Trips
- Old Harbour Museum and Photo Museum
- Zip Lining
- Wine and Beer Tasting
- Horse Riding
- Quad Biking
- Take a trip to Rotary Drive
- Go to the Beach
- Tour to the Abalone Farm
- Day trip to Cape Agulus (Most Southern Tip of Africa)
Geographical Information about Hermanus
Hermanus is situated in the south of South Africa and are also very close to the most Southern tip of Africa which is pinned at Cape Agulhas only 127,3 km via R316 and R319 which is about an hour and a half drive.
Hermanus Climate and Rainfall
Hermanus has an land area of around 17,03 km² and has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen). It receives roughly 520 mm of rain per annum, the majority of which falls during the winter months of June to August in the form of frontal precipitation.
Average midday temperatures range from 25 °C in February to 16 °C in July.In Hermanus, the summers are warm, dry, and mostly clear; the winters are cool and partly cloudy; and it is windy allyear round
Hermanus falls under the Overstrand municipaity and do have a postal or zip code which is 7200 and the area code is 028.
When and How was Hermanus Founded
Hermanus was founded by Hermanus Pieters who in the ealry 1800’s was looking for graze for his cattle. He found the spring with green fodder and resided in Fisherhaven just 10km outside of Hermanus before builing a house close to Fick’s Pool. The house was broke down around
Hermanus Pieters, an itinerant teacher of Caledon farmers’ children, was the first permanent resident in Hermanus. Having come across a fresh spring and greener pastures he settled on the shore of this enchanting bay. The news of good summer grazing spread to the surrounding areas and soon farmers from neighbouring districts would come in the summer months, bringing their livestock to benefit from the fresh grazing and carting their families along to enjoy the sea.
The spring came to be known as Hermanuspietersfontein but was shortened to Hermanus when municipal status was given to the town in 1904. The bay was named after a Royal Naval officer called Walker. The farmers may have discovered Hermanus, but it was the fishermen who settled here. With an abundance of fish, the village attracted more and more families. By the early 1900s word of the excellent fishing, outstanding beauty and “healing” air had spread across the world.
Interesting places to Visit in Hermanus
De Wet’s Photo Museum in Hermanus
The De Wet’s Huis cottage at the Fishermen’s Village houses a photographic exhibition of old Hermanus dating as far back as the beginning of the last century and includes many photos printed from glass negatives taken by the famous photographer T D Ravenscroft.
Many of the photographs on display at the photographic museum were printed from glass negatives and were taken by the acclaimed TD Ravenscroft. Some photographs date back as far as 1875, and include the fashion, architecture and lifestyle of the folk of times past. The people have passed away and many of the buildings have been destroyed, but the photos have immortalised them as precious memories.
Visit the Abalone Farm
Near the New Harbour is the Abagold abalone farm where you can put on gumboots to tour the facility on Mondays to Thursdays 11:00 and 15:00 and Fridays at 11:00. A guide takes you around the farm where abalone is cultured to fulfill the huge demand for this species without putting pressure on wild stocks. Learn about its life-cycle and the threats from poaching, see the hatchery, discover how the abalone are fed, sorted and cleaned for export. You can also have a tasting or visit the shop in the shed, which sells canned abalone, abalone shells, abalone pearls and jewellery.
The African Market at Victorian Sqaure
The Curio & Craft Daily Market at the Old Harbour Market Square is worth looking at when you visit the museums (see point 2). The individually run stalls are open every day, selling a variety of arts and crafts such as sculptures, wood carvings, paintings, beaded objects and jewellery. You’ll also find a good mix of clothes and, of course, souvenirs of Hermanus. Browse the stalls and support this effort, then grab a cuppa at one of the coffee shops nearby.
Hermanus Country Market
Hermanus Country Market is open Every Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00
Hermanus Country Market is very cozy and the feel is that you might be at a farm stall with trees and aromas of fresh food being prepared on site. The floors are laid out with wooden shavings and and there is many wooden seats that complement the market atmosphere. Bands playing soft music in the background where you can enjoy a handcraft beer or a glass of local wine complemented with many cheese and bakery stalls.
The food stores around the market provide fresh meals that is prepared on site and there is some sweet and dessert and brewed coffee stalls to round of a perfect brunch.
See The Wild Horses in Fisherhaven
Residents take great pride of their Wild Horses in Fisherhaven
Fisherhaven is only 10 minutes away from Hermanus that is also well know for whale watching.
There are mainly two families of horses that roams in Fisherhaven only 10 minutes drive from Hermanus in the Western Cape. They are to be seen from the Rooisand Nature reserve close to Kleinmond up to Fisherhaven where they roam between the streets and homes of local residents. These are the only horses in South Africa known to live in the Wetlands. On hot summer days it won’t be a surprise to see them playing or relaxing in the salty waters of Fisherhaven lagoon.
These horses are unique and that they are the last descendants from the horses that was brought to South Africa during the Anglo Boer war in 1899 to 1902. During this period the British Empire shipped 360 000 horses to South Africa.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Ever since it was proclaimed a reserve in 1957 the Fernkloof Nature Reserve has become a firm favourite for walks, hikes and bikes. The 60 kilometers (around 37 miles) of walkways and trails that zigzag through the reserve can take you to the picturesque Lemoenskop outlook point, the Three Dams, Galpin Hut, the waterfalls and several other beautiful and photo inspiring locations. These paths are lovingly maintained by the FNR (Fernkloof Nature Reserve) Committee, which consists of the local municipality, the Fernkloof Advisory Board and the Hermanus Botanical Society (BotSoc).
Over the last couple of years more areas have been added to the Reserve, including the Cliff Path Nature Area, the Mossel River Valley, parts of Klein River Lagoon and the mouth of Vogelgat River. Due to these inclusions Fernkloof Nature Reserve now boasts an uninterrupted reserve area of coast to mountain. The Cliff Path that’s now included wraps itself around the coastline of Hermanus and is perfect for land-based Whale Watching in season.
Nature Walks & Trails
Certain parts of the Hermanus Cliff Path are wheelchair-friendly, including the stretch in front of the Village Square Shopping Centre that stretches from the Marine Hotel to the Village Square. It offers scenic views over Walker Bay and superb whale watching in season. (June to November).
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking is fast becoming one of the most popular sports in South Africa. A variety of routes are available in Hermanus offering spectacular scenery for those who prefer spending an afternoon enjoying fresh mountain air. If you can’t bring your own equipment, local bike shops rent out whatever you require. Fernkloof Nature Reserve offers a 17km circular trail which is signposted and may be joined at any point within the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Mountain Biking offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Hermanus and incredible scenery, off the beaten track.
Take a drive to Rotary Way
About 2km west of town is the starting point of a wonderful mountain drive that brings you to viewpoints overlooking the town and the sea. You can see all the way from the New Harbour to the Klein River estuary and beyond. If you’re short on time, you can climb to the top of Hoy’s Koppie in town for a nice view, but since you look down on the koppie from Rotary Way, you can imagine how much more worthwhile it is to drive up here.
Horse Riding
@The Ranch Horse Riding in Hermanus is situadted in the Hemel and Aarde Valley about 10 km outside Hermanus. We use scenic routes on the Spookfontein farm overlooking the Hemel and Aarde Valley that is well known for producing some of the finest wines in the word.
@The Ranch offer the following
- Horse riding lessons
- Pony rides and lessons from the age of 3 years
- Day Camps for kids on their holiday break
- Birthday parties on the farm
- Schools and corporate
- Picnic with the horses
Emergency Numbers in Hermanus
Police Emergency – 10111
Ambulance and Fire Brigade – 101777
All Emergencies – 112 (Mobile Phones)
Crime Stop – 086 001 0111
Provincial Hospital – Hermanus (028 313 1166)
Sea Rescue – NSRI Emergency Contact Number (National) 028 312 3180 or 112
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