Introduction
Hermanus is a small town of 25,000 people on South Africa's southern coast of the Western Cape. A couple of hours drive from Cape Town, it's reputedly one of the best places to spot whales from the shore. The best time to catch a glimpse of these huge mammals is between June and November, when you can spot Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Bryde Whales and even Killer Whales.
Sights and Activities
Hermanus has the worlds only whale crier, Pasika Noboda, who walks the streets sounding his horn to alert people to whale sightings.
Whale watching can be undertaken with quite a few operators, one of which is Walker Bay Adventure Travel. They offer many more options though, among which are kitesurfing, fishing, horse riding, paragliding, microlighting, sea kayking, shark-cage diving and township tours.
Shark-cage diving can also be booked with Shark Cage Diver Brian McFarlane or Shark Diving Unlimited. Costs are mostly around 1400 Rand, excluding transport.
Trips to do yourself include a great hike, named the Cliff Path Walking Trail, a 10-kilometre long hik from the new harbour, 2 kilometres west from town, along the ocean to the mouth of the Klein River. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is particularly nice if you are interested in fynbos (fine bush) and there is a choice of 60 kilometres of hiking trails.
Events and Festivals
The town hosts a whale festival at the end of September when Southern Right Whales come into the bay to mate.
Getting There
By Car
Coming from Cape Town take the N2, and turn off at Caledon. Follow the R320 to the coast and the signs to the town. It's about a 1.5 hour drive.
By Bus
There are no regular buses to Cape Town, but shuttles are available to both Cape Town and Gansbaai. The Baz Bus stops about 50 kilometres from town, with hostels offering shuttles from there.
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baleens | 310 10th Street Voelklip, Hermanus | Hotel | 93 |
| Beaumonte Guesthouse | Alikreukelst. 15 Vermont Hermanus | Guesthouse | - |
| Hermanus Backpackers | 26 Flower Street Westcliff | Hostel | 88 |
| Milkwood Lodge | 152 Seventh Street Hermanus | Guesthouse | - |
| Misty Waves Hotel | 21 Marine Drive | Hotel | - |
| Zoete Inval Travellers Lodge | 23 Main Road HE | Hostel | - |
| AmaKhosi Guesthouse | Longstr. 17 | Guesthouse | - |
| Ocean Song | 1 Louis Trichardt Street Sandbaai | Guesthouse | - |
| Pelagus House | 31 Marine Drive Hermanus | Guesthouse | - |
| Nautilus Cottage | 11 Church Street Hermanus | Guesthouse | - |
| The Whalehouse Rock | 15 Fourie street Westcliff, Hermanus 7200 | GUESTHOUSE | - |
| Blue Gum Country Estate | R326 Road Stanford | Guesthouse | - |
| Sixteen Guest Lodge on Main | 16 Main Road | GUESTHOUSE | - |
| Whale Coast Lodge | 19 Flower street | Guesthouse | - |
Keep Connected
Phone
See also International Telephone Calls
Post
The SAPO (South African Post Office) is the nation's postal service. Post offices are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm from Monday to Friday, and 8:00am to noon on Saturdays. Domestic and international deliveries are reliable but can sometimes take up to several weeks. If you want to send something oversees of any value, try using one of the private mail services, like Postnet.
On Travellerspoint
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