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The cool maritime climate and the right soil composition combine to make the Hemel-en-Aarde valley the ideal location for the fussy Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay vines. In this picturesque valley wine lovers can treat themselves to a unique wine tour among the southernmost vineyards in
Africa. Bouchard Finlayson has taken quality wine making into a new era. Just a stones throw from the sea with frost free, soft, beneficial weather and the most rugged vineyard soils, Peter Finlayson makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines of great complexity and finesse. The
estate is situated in the Hemel en Aarde valley 6km from the intersection of the R43 and R320 roads.
Open for tastings and sales from 10h00 to 17h00 during the week and from 09h30 to 12h30 on Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Public holidays.
The tasting room at Hamilton Russell Vineyards,the oldest winery in the valley, is open to the public daily. just follow the signs to the cellar.
Whalehaven Wines is situated only 150 metres from the intersection of the R43 and the R320 on the Caledon road. Visit this impressive winery and view the ocean, the mountains, the maturation and the production cellar while sampling the wines. Winemaker Storm Kreusch has produced six wines
comprising the Whalehaven range - Sauvignon Blanc; a fruity Beaujolais style blend aptly named Baleine Noir; Chardonnay; Pinot Noir; Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Visit Whalehaven for tasting and sales from 09:30 to 17:00 weekdays and between 10:30 and 13:00 on public holidays.
Cape Bay wines is also situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is open for tasting Mon - Fri 09:00-16:30 and Sat 09:00-12:30. Sumaridge, the Hemel en Aarde Valley's newest winery produces a range of premium quality wines exclusively from the farm's own vineyards. Visit the tasting
room on weekdays from 9 to 5, and enjoy spectacular views in a truly beautiful setting.
The tasting room of Bartho Eksteen, producer of some outstanding quality wines, is in the center of Hermanus. Open daily during business hours for tasting.
All the wines from the valley are available at the Wine Village. The Wine Village has the most comprehensive collection of internationally acclaimed white and red South African wines in the largest wine shop in South Africa. The elegant displays boast wines from more than 310 estates and
cellars. A selection of wine is opened daily for tasting
Beaumont Wines - Unique handcrafted wines in historic wine cellar. 25km from Hermanus, follow R43 to Bot River, take the N2 into Bot River. The farm is on the right opposite the hotel
Cage Diving with The Great White Shark.
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Bookings for Great White Shark diving and viewing trips South Africa was the first country to protect this super predator of the ocean. Seals are an important part of its diet and therefore Dyer Island is an important feeding ground for this endangered shark. It is one of the last places
where Great White Sharks still occur in large numbers.
The great white shark Carcharodon carcharias is a protected species in South Africa. Permits are required for operators of shark cage diving from Cape Nature Conservation and the Sea Fisheries Research Institute to operate in the channel between the two rocky reefs of Dyer and Geyser
Islands where the sharks are usually to be found.
It was near Dyer Island that a 6,2 metre monster was accidentally caught in a trawling net a number of years ago. Its jaws and accompanying photographs can be seen in a local fish shop in the Gans Bay harbour. It is not uncommon to see sharks of over 4 metres in the channel.
The best time to film or view white sharks is during our winter from May to September when these animals congregate near seal colonies in Dyer Island. Early morning is an excellent time to see shark on seal predation. It is not uncommon to see a white shark breaching, its massive body
clearing the water, sometimes with a seal in its mouth. The white shark relies on speed and surprise as, once the seal sees the shark, it can often out-manoeuvre it. Immediately after a successful hit the sky is filled with screeching seagulls, clamouring for the bits left by the
shark. Nothing goes to waste. Badly bitten seals are a common sight on the island, grim evidence of the seals that managed to escape.
Shark viewing trips are offered by various operators. |
Hermanus hiking trails
One of the unique attractions of Hermanus is the Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff all along the coastline to Grotto beach - just over 10 km long. It is accessible from many points all along the route. There are benches at strategic points which provide
a rest and a place to sit and watch the whales or enjoy the sea views. From the Blow Hole at the New Harbour to Kraal Rock in Eastcliff there is a protected marine reserve and no shellfish, bait or other creatures may be removed.
The trails in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve are well maintained and, following the contours as they do, are accessible even to those who might not otherwise put on boots to set off on an hour or two's walk. There are three self-guided trails of which one leads to Aasvoėlkop. At
824 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in the reserve and offers all-embracing views.
The Frans Senekal Nature reserve in Vermont offers a delightful walk from Vermont along the sea edge past Hoek van den Berg to Hawston harbour. The full walk takes about two hours. |
Diving
Perlemoen (abalone) and crayfish (rock lobster) abound in the waters off the Walker Bay coastline, but make sure you are in possession of a permit and observe the regulations before removing any of these marine delicacies. Local sports shops supply a useful measuring ring that can be used
for perlemoen, crayfish, alikreukel (giant periwinkle) and white mussels. The more adventurous can explore several wrecks along the coast.
Dive sites
Various reefs may be explored by scuba divers from the New Harbour, where a diving school offers training, charters and equipment for hire. Many of the reefs richest in marine life are only accessible by boat.
Reef depths vary from 9m to 40m. Diving areas such as those at the Old Harbour, Boiling Pot, Rietfontein, Table Top, New Harbour and Schulphoek, are accessible to all levels of divers. Shore entries are possible at several points including Rietfontein and Harderbaai, but the most convenient
is at the Old Harbour, part of the marine reserve. Be on the lookout for seals, which enjoy accompanying divers here. The wall varies in depth from 8m to 16m. The sand slopes downwards from 16m, where many gorgonian corals and gorgonshead starfishes can be seen. Boiling Pot forms part of the
marine reserve, and should be dived on a calm day from a boat. The reef varies from 8m to 23m. Abundant fish and algae are to be seen, and in the shallows a tremendous number of sea urchins. Beware of unretrieved fishing lines drifting around the reef.
Areas like Hakskeen and Table Top vary in depth from 6m to 40m. These are towering pinnacles and walls full of creatures to be admired. Table Top is regarded as one of the top 15 dive sites in southern Africa. Divers are advised to leave snagged crayfish nets well alone, as these encourage
growth of marine life by forming little 'ecosystems' around them. Schulphoek. From 12m to 30m. Undersea 'canyons' full of coral and other sea creatures make this a spectacular dive. Divers should take constant note of their depth as this can change very quickly. All dives in the Hermanus
area should be done using a torch. Thermoclines are plentiful in summer, so be aware and prepared. Marker buoys are a must, especially in the crayfish season, when boat traffic is exceptionally severe.
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