Hermanus is located 150km from Cape Town and is known as the land-based whale watching capital of the world. It is a large tourist town that spreads along 12 km strip between the Klein River Mountains and Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and the rugged Walker Bay coastline, part of a large Marine Reserve.
Located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.Find Hermanus on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route. It is a region of great natural beauty affording incredible views and spectacular sunsets, particularly in winter.
Whale season is from July to November when the Southern Right whales come into the area to calve.Bryde’ss whales are seen in the bay all year round and Humpback Whales can be spotted in June and July. Whale Museum The annual Whale Festival is held over a weekend in September and combines whale watching from shore and sea with family fun, street parades, music, seafood and local produce. An interactive Eco – Marine Village Tent and Eco-Marine talks about whales, penguins, white sharks promotes the main focus of the festival which is education and conservation of all the marine life in Walker Bay.
The R320 is a scenic 40km route through the Hemel and Aarde Valley that links this coastal town to Caledon and boasts 16 wine estates, most offering tastings, pairings and meals. Guided wine tours are available to mitigate drinking and driving. So there are no worries about drinking and driving.
Grotto Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status and is great for swimming, exploring the rock pools or soaking up the sun. The beachside restaurant is a popular sunset spot.
There are many kilometres of cliff walks meandering above and down onto the beaches in parts, all affording spectacular views of the dramatic landscape. Guided cliff walks are offered and are very insightful. and old harbour
Hermanus has more than 15 art galleries and hosts the annual FynArts Festival in June. This festival runs over ten days and the extensive program covers music, food, wine, fine art, sculptures, ceramics and poetry. Visitors can attend a variety of workshops and demonstrations ranging from painting to cooking or wine tasting to photography. Performances include chamber and orchestral music, opera, jazz and theatre. An art gallery walk is mapped out and visitors can meet and chat to the artists. Massive art installations are displayed along the cliffs created by invited local sculptors. This art festival is a celebration of the top South African artists in all genres.
This tourist town has a multitude of restaurants, accommodations, natural attractions and activities for the whole family.
Hermanus is located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route
Open 7 Days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 120.7km
Where: N2
Contact: +27 (0)28 312 2629 | [email protected]
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.