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What to do in and around Hermanus.
Please bear in mind there are other activities we have not listed.
eg
Dune boarding - at Betty's Bay
Penguin colony - Stony point about 30 mins drive away
Kite surfing - off the main beach or on the lagoon
Fishing - surf fishing, off-shore and spear fishing.
4x4 trips - along the dunes, up the nearby mountain. If you have
your own vehicle even better as every 4x4 driver knows. Picnic on
the beach with maybe a fisherman for company.
Hermanus is regarded as the best place in the world for land based whale watching.
The whales from July to November laze about, play, mate, give birth or sleep just meters from the cliffs. This year they started arriving in the middle of May 2006 and are already lazing in front of the town.
The cliff paths extend for about 10 km's and offer unsurpassed opportunities for whale viewing, walking or just taking in the magnificent scenery.
There are several sandy beaches, some in protected alcoves and one that stretches for about 20 km's. The beaches in Hermanus are a sunworshipper's dream with soft white sands edged with rolling surf. They range from small protected coves to long expanses of sand perfect for walking, such as Grotto Beach,
which stretches all the way to the mouth of the KIeinrivier lagoon and De Plaat (renowned as one of the best fishing spots). There are excellent facilities including picnic/braai areas, changerooms and a beachside restaurant. Grotto Beach was awarded Blue Flag status in November 2002 for its state of pristine
cleanliness. Although the major beaches have life guards during peak seasons, it is still advisable never to swim alone in isolated places. The currents can be dangerous and the sea at high tide extremely strong.
You can go horse riding on the beach, take long walks or go bird watching. Fisherman often camp out on the beach overnight.
Surfers are always part of the scenery here with some big waves coming through at different times of the year.
Situated in the heart of the Cape Whale route, only 120 km's from Cape Town and about 100 km's from the international airport, Hermanus, with it's champagne air and mild climate was the place to stay in past years for natural convalescing, rejuvenation, healing and just relaxing.
During the war years it was extremely popular and housed many convalescing soldiers. Today it is extremely popular and is used by locals and tourists alike as a place to relax and enjoy life. This may be slightly misleading as some have found out, the pubs, bars and nightclubs close very late.
Hemel en Aarde Valley wine route
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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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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.
It is not the length that scares, it is the girth or
simply put the size of the mouth.
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.
Great White Shark cage diving at Gansbaai:
Daily shark diving/sighting tours (weather permitting)
are done off Gansbaai, a mere stone-throw away from the
most southern tip of the African Continent. Approx. 12km
offshore from Gansbaai (2hrs drive from Cape Town) there
are two islands situated next to each other.
Due to a number of geographical reasons - one being
the shallow and narrow channel that runs between these
two islands - Dyer Island has become known as one of
only two unique areas in the world, where the chances to
view the great white shark, rises exceptionally high.
Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape
Gannets, Cape Cormorants, Jackass penguins, whales and
dolphins are also likely to be sighted. The seals live
on the islands and are one of the main sources of food
for the sharks.
Gansbaai is little holiday and fishing village
situated a 160km from Cape Town. The area has several
attractions for the nature lover with whale watching
being the most popular. Accommodation may be taken in
any of the Bed & Breakfast establishments and the few
restaurants offer good quality food. The shark dives are
launched from the neighboring Kleinbaai. Hermanus is
about a 40 min drive away and is the better option for
accommodation and all amenities.
International travellers can fly into Cape Town
International Airport. From here car hire or transfers
can be arranged.
Shark viewing trips are offered by various operators.
You do not need to be an experienced diver and most
dives you have goggles and a snorkel. It is cold but a
wetsuit is supplied. For the record we know of no
incident where the cage divers were injured by sharks,
however we do not recommend free diving with them unless
you pay upfront. |
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 Aasvoëlkop. 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.
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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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