17 things to do in Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast

By Roxanne Reid
Hermanus, just a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, was once a sleepy little fishing village. Now it buzzes with life. Whether you’re after budget stays or something a bit fancy, there’s a spot for you. There’s loads to keep you busy too. We’re talking wine tasting, great food, art galleries, top-class whale-watching, scenic hikes, and long white beaches. Here are my top 17 things to do in Hermanus on South Africa’s Whale Coast.

​Hermanus is rich in natural beauty, tucked as it is between the mountains and the ocean at Walker Bay. With the Bot River Lagoon on one side and the Klein River Lagoon on the other, you’ll find views for days. The town’s been around since the early 1800s. Fun fact? It used to be a go-to spot for people with tuberculosis to rest and recover. By the 1920s, there were about 15 sanitoriums dotted around town and some of them later became hotels that still stand today.

Back in 2019, Overstrand Hermanus became Africa’s first ever UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. That means that food is a big deal here. To earn that badge, the town had to show that it puts creativity (and its creative community) front and centre when it comes to planning and growing in a safe, inclusive, and sustainable way. Want a taste? Dive into the the offerings at local restaurants (see point 3) and don’t miss the wine (see point 4).

1. Explore the Cliff Path

The well-engineered new section of the Cliff Path

​You’d be crazy to miss walking along at least part of the Cliff Path that meanders alongside the sea and the rocks for nearly 12km from the New Harbour to just beyond Grotto Beach. It’s also part of Fernkloof Nature Reserve (see point 2). For years, a bunch of property owners refused to allow the cliff path to continue in front of their properties, but a court case finally ruled against them. Since the new well-engineered section over the rocks opened near Roman Rock in mid-2025, you no longer have to skirt those properties by going on to the main road for a short section and rejoining the cliff path on the other side. It’s now one gloriously continuous, long path over the cliffs and rocks beside the ocean.

Walk the Cliff Path or relax on a bench to watch the waves crash on the rocks

Listen to the birds calling and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks, feel the spray shooting into the air, see southern right whales between June and November. One popular section is from the Old Harbour or Gearing’s Point towards the New Harbour. Simply turn around and walk back when you feel like it. View the public art at Gearing’s Point (see point 13 for more about art in Hermanus). Learn from the biodiversity info boards along the way about how the coastline formed, how plants help with disease control, medicines, water purification, and more. Enjoy the natural scenery in a town that’s growing so big, so fast.

Top tip: Parts of the path are wheelchair/pram friendly. You can find out which sections these are by looking for the map under the ‘featured’ tab on the Hermanus Cliff Path’s Facebook page. Dogs are welcome if they are on a leash.

2. Take a hike at Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Find a wealth of Cape fynbos, birds and views at Fernkloof Nature Reserve

The 18-square-kilometre Fernkloof Nature Reserve is the perfect place for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of town and enjoy a walk among fynbos in the mountains. You’ll find the reserve about 4km north-east of the town centre. The trails range in altitude from sea level to 824m. Enjoy the fresh air, blue skies and views of the sea and town, take time to appreciate birds like Cape sugarbird, orange-breasted sunbird, and Cape rock thrush, as well as the Cape fynbos; six of the seven endemic plant families of the Cape Floral Kingdom can be found here. Some 12% of the plants at Fernkloof are threatened or endangered to some degree. You may also spot animals like klipspringer, mongoose, baboon or dassie. And if you know your frog calls, listen for characters like the clicking stream frog or Cape rain frog. Enjoy a 60km network of trails; keep to the footpaths and don’t pick the flowers. There’s also a cycle trail.

Top tip: Download a pdf map of the trails here.

If you’re a plant enthusiast, don’t miss the Hermanus Botanical Society and Fernkloof Nature Reserve’s Fernkloof Flower Festival in September. Expect displays about the plants and birds of Fernkloof, a plant sale, and some fynbos-inspired workshops.

3. Eat at Hermanus restaurants

The stoep at Mogg's Country Cookhouse, Hermanus

My all-time favourite Hermanus restaurant over the past 20 years has been Mogg’s Country Cookhouse on a farm surrounded by mountains, vineyards and orchards up the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley road. It’s relaxed and friendly, there’s a garden and small playground for the kids to work off some energy, and the food is consistently good, using the freshest ingredients and luscious flavour combinations. There’s a blackboard menu. Don’t miss the yummy starters (I sometimes have two!) or the scrumptious lamb shank if that’s on the menu the day you visit. Note that Mogg’s is open only for lunch on Wednesdays to Sundays from 12:00. Read my post, Mogg’s Country Cookhouse: a winning recipe, to find out more about why we love it so much.

Pear Tree is another good place to try if you enjoy a sea view and the buzz of the Hermanus Waterfront. It offers anything from seafood to burgers, poké bowls to tacos. Other Hermanus restaurants with views out to sea include La Pentola at the Hermanus Waterfront and The Rock at the New Harbour.

Enjoy a drink or sit at a table for a meal to enjoy the view from Ficks

I especially enjoy the views from restaurants set right on the rocks, with a chance for whale spotting in season (see point 5). One of these is Bientang’s Cave, a restaurant in a cave near the Old Harbour. The name comes from the Khoi strandloper who used to live in the cave. It’s best known for its seafood, and you’ll definitely enjoy the setting. Ficks is a strong rival right along the rocks above Fick’s Pool, perfect for sundowners and snacks on a hot summer afternoon or evening. It gets hugely busy in the summer season. Another on-the-rocks eatery with an inspiring outlook over Walker Bay is Perlemoen at the Old Harbour on Marine Drive. As the name suggests, one of its seafood specialities is perlemoen (abalone), but it also serves calamari, prawns, mussels, hake & chips, seafood curry, and seafood pasta.

There are also many good restaurants in Stanford, about 24km east of Hermanus on the R43. Read about some Stanford restaurants and wineries here.

4. Enjoy Hermanus wine tasting

Hamilton Russell's tranquil wine tasting room overlooks a farm dam

If you’re a wine lover, you’re in for a treat because Hermanus is wine heaven. The area’s jam-packed with some of the best wineries in South Africa, so whether you’re into bold reds, crisp whites, or just love a good tasting room vibe, you’ll be very happy here.

Try Benguela Cove about 18km west of Hermanus if only for its gorgeous setting on the Bot River Lagoon, though its wines are good too. They offer a number of wine pairings, for instance with cheese, charcuterie, chocolate, or oysters. Or visit Hermanuspietersfontein for wines with wacky names like Kaalvoet Meisie, Kleinboet and Swartskaap.

Without doubt, my favourite stomping ground for Hermanus wine tasting is the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which has nearly 20 wineries. You’ll recognise the names of top-class producers like Bouchard Finlayson, Creation (whose food and wine pairings are fab), Hamilton Russell (with a restful thatched Cape Dutch building as their tasting room), and Newton Johnson, many of them with expansive views over the vineyards from their tasting rooms and some food offerings as well. Flagship wines here in the cool climate of the valley are chardonnay and pinot noir, although you’ll also find other cultivars like sauvignon blanc, viognier, grenache, syrah, and merlot.

While you’re in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, pop in at Spookfontein for its lovely position in the vineyards above the valley and the story of its name. Back in the 1800s, when the farm was established, the iron in the water of the fontein, or spring, interacted with the cool coastal breeze to create mist, which the locals thought was a spook, or ghost.

Ataraxia is another Hemel-en-Aarde producer. Although their wines are yummy, it’s worth a visit just to experience the tasting room in a small chapel – sometimes hired out for intimate weddings (when tasting won’t be possible). The name Ataraxia means a feeling of serenity and that’s what you get looking through the windows onto the vineyards.

Pro tip: Some wineries are open by appointment only; for others, check opening times on the Hemel en Aarde Wines website or their individual websites before you go.

5. Go whale-watching

Whale-watching is one of the most popular activities in Hermanus, especially between June and November (photo: Southern Right Charters)

Whale-watching is hands down the biggest crowd-puller in Hermanus during whale season (June to November). This is when the southern right whales roll in to mate, calve and raise their young before heading back to the Antarctic to feed. During peak season, keep your ears open for the famous whale crier of Hermanus, who blows a booming kelp horn to let everyone know when there’s a whale nearby. But don’t stress if you visit out of peak season; you’ve still got a shot at spotting humpbacks, Bryde’s whales, and dolphins that pop up all year round.

Hot tip: Good whale-watching hotspots in Hermanus include Gearing’s Point, the Old Harbour, and anywhere along the Cliff Path, where you can watch them breaching, tail slapping, spyhopping and lobtailing.

If you love the vibe of crowds, you’ll enjoy the Hermanus Whale Festival in late September/ early October each year. There’s usually a street parade, a fun run, fascinating nature talks, displays in the eco-marine tent, arts and crafts, music and kids’ activities.

Craving more than land-based whale-spotting? Join an exciting whale-watching boat trip from the New Harbour with Southern Right Charters. Dolphins, seals, and marine birds like gannets and skuas are a bonus. It’s best to book ahead; if bad weather leads to cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or get a refund.

6. Visit a museum
Don’t miss a visit to the museums in Hermanus. The Old Harbour (see the intro photo) is an open-air museum below the main square that depicts the history of the fishing and whaling industry around Hermanus. See some restored old fishing boats, the jetty and the tables where fish was gutted and cleaned.​

Find lots of fascinating info in the whale museum

Pop into the Whale Museum above the Old Harbour for fascinating displays about the different kinds of whales, like baleen and toothed whales. Discover how they see the world, use echolocation, and pull off those dramatic moves like breaching, spyhopping, and lobtailing. The real showstopper is the massive southern right whale skeleton hanging overhead, with displays that show its organs and bones. Fun fact: the whale’s flipper has the same bones as your arm and hand — humerus, radius, ulna, and phalanges.

Fall down a rabbit hole into the past in the photo museum

De Wet’s Photo Museum next to the whale museum displays a wealth of historical sepia photos in a cottage that was once a school house. Enjoy pictures of Hermanus when it was just a tiny fishing village, of the old harbour, holiday fashions and bathing in the old days, and early hotels like the Windsor Hotel, which was originally a sanatorium. Although you can wander around with a pamphlet that gives you more info about the photos, I find it frustrating because it’s not easy to match the info to the specific photo. It would be so much easier if each photo in the exhibition had its own info panel next to it.

7. Drive the Rotary Way

Enjoy sweeping views over Hermanus from Rotary Way

About 2km west of town, a mountain road begins to wind its way up to some superb viewpoints over the town and ocean. From up there, you can see everything from the New Harbour to the Klein River Estuary. Yes, you could climb up Hoy’s Koppie in town for a decent view, but once you’ve looked down on the koppie from Rotary Way, you’ll realise why the drive up here is so much better.

8. Go beer tasting

Beer tasting tray at The Brewery at the foot of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

If you’re approaching Hermanus from Cape Town, stop at Honingklip Brewery on the R43 to enjoy a tasting of Belgian-inspired beers. There are eight variants and the tasting line-up of four depends on what’s on tap that day. My favourite was the Blond; watch out for the Trippel at 9% alcohol. You can also buy beer by the bottle to take away, order a pizza or snack platter, or go adventuring along a mountain bike trail on the farm.

Closer to town, try The Brewery in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Order a tasting tray of five varieties from lager, light lager, pale ale and India pale ale to stout. Those who don’t love beer can order from the wine list or choose from a selection of spirits, non-alcoholic drinks and milkshakes. Hungry? Enjoy a meal, from salads, pizzas, sushi and burgers to pork belly and mussels.

Also be on the lookout at restaurants in Hermanus and surrounding towns like Stanford for craft beers from the Old Harbour Brewery, established in 2014. Or pop into the brewery at 11 Mimosa Street to taste some of their brews at their dinky little bar space out front.

9. Spend time at the beach

Enjoy the white sand at Grotto Beach

You can’t come to Hermanus and not spend some time on its long stretches of white sand. Two local favourites are Voelklip and Grotto Beach. Grotto has a lively vibe, especially near Dutchies restaurant (which is always buzzing on a hot day), but if you prefer peace and quiet, wander a bit further down the shore until you find a chill spot to enjoy the sand, sea, and serenity.

10. Go shopping
There are tons of shops in Hermanus, selling virtually anything you could possibly want. Here are two of my perennial favourites.

Hemingway's Bookshop - cross the threshold and enter another world

Hemingways Bookshop is a jewel in busy Hermanus, a place to retreat from the hurly-burly, smell the evocative aroma of old books and disappear into a different world. It has a great selection of good books, including Africana. Try not to get lost once you cross the threshold.

Find clued-up staff and a superb collection of good wines at The Wine Village

Visiting The Wine Village at the bottom of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley road is another of my favourite things to do in Hermanus. It has a superb selection of wines both from the region and further afield in South Africa. If you don’t have time to go to individual estates, this is the place to buy a few bottles to take home with you. There are usually a few bottles open for tasting and the staff is amazingly knowledgeable and helpful. There’s probably not a bottle in the place they haven’t tasted.

11. Poke around some Hermanus markets

The daily curio & craft market in Old Harbour Market Square

The Old Harbour Market is worth looking at when you visit the museums nearby (see point 6). 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.

There’s also the Hermanus Country Market from 9:00 till 13:00 on Saturday mornings. Pop in to experience the laid-back vibe and buy items like cheese, artisanal breads, pastries, craft beer, wine, gin, and good coffee. Find it at the Hermanus Cricket Club at the corner of Fairways Avenue and José Burman Drive. In December and January, there’s also a Summer Night Market here on Wednesdays from 17:00 to 21:00.

12. Tour an abalone farm

Learn how abalone is farmed and the threats that wild stocks face

Near the New Harbour is the Abagold abalone farm where you can put on gumboots for a 75min tour on Mondays to Fridays at 11:00. A guide takes you around the farm where abalone (perlemoen) 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 and how the abalone are fed, sorted and cleaned for export. You can also enjoy a tasting or visit the shop in the shed, which sells canned abalone, abalone shells, abalone pearls and other jewellery.

13. Explore the art route

The Art Alley in Warrington Lane is awash in galleries

​There are some 20 galleries and studios in Hermanus. Put on your walking shoes and take a stroll around the village, gallery-hopping along the way. Don’t miss the Art Alley in Warrington Lane, with its colourful ‘carpet’ painted on the bricks between galleries that show off everything from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and photography. Stop for a cup of coffee when you need a pick-me-up. There’s also a small sculpture park across the road from the Art Alley. Don’t miss the open-air sculptures above the old harbour at Gearing’s Point, which change from time to time.

My current favourite of the sculptures at Gearing's Point; artist Nanette Ranger

A monthly event worth noting is the Hermanus First Fridays Art Walk (every month except the winter months of June, July and August). Get a map at any of the Hermanus galleries and explore galleries and artist studios that stay open until 20:00. You may even get a glass of wine and small snacks. An annual Hermanus Fynarts festival takes place in June, chocablock with performances, talks, exhibitions, food and wine events, workshops and demonstrations.

14. Visit the South African National Space Agency

Learn about South African National Space Agency's work on a free tour

Why, you might ask, is the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) located off the beaten track in Hermanus? Well, the lack of a railway line means it doesn’t interfere with the magnetic measurements that are critical to its work. SANSA was created to strengthen co-operation in space-related activities while fostering research in space science. Its work includes monitoring space weather and Earth’s fluctuating electromagnetic field. If all this gets you excited, make sure you don’t miss the free hour-long tour on Wednesdays at 11:00. You can expect to learn a little about the Space Weather Centre, engineering and data in Africa and Antarctica, the importance of a magnetically clean environment, and the SANSA Science Centre’s outreach to local schools in the form of space and robotics clubs. SANSA is a National Key Point site so you’ll need to bring some form of ID with you for the free tour.

15. Take to the water in Walker Bay

The fun of sea kayaking in Walker Bay (photo: Walker Bay Adventures)

Had too much good food and wine in Hermanus – and who doesn’t overindulge here? A perfect way to work it off is to go sea kayaking from the Old Harbour with Walker Bay Adventures. Join a guide for a two-hour adventure to explore the coast and perhaps spot seals, dolphins or even whales while enjoying a different view of Hermanus town. Don’t worry if you’ve never kayaked before; your guide will brief you on techniques and safety before you hit the water.

Bring shorts and a T-shirt, windbreaker/fleece, towel, sunhat and sunscreen, as well as a change of clothes for afterwards. Note that if there’s too much wind or swell, the trip may be cancelled for your safety.

Walker Bay Adventures are also your go-to folks for other active water-based experiences like scuba diving (two-tank guided diving trip with a chance to see the kelp forests) and kite surfing. Book ahead.

16. Stay over in Hermanus accommodation

Sleep over in Hermanus for a few nights to make time for all the activities

There’s no question that a day in Hermanus isn’t nearly enough to explore it properly. You’ll definitely want to check out some Hermanus accommodation and stay over for a few days. Hermanus has something to suit everyone, whether you want to push out all the stops in a luxury seafront boutique hotel, go budget self-catering, enjoy a farm stay, or stay in a B&B or backpackers’ accommodation. Some of the wine farms also offer accommodation. There’s even camping in nearby Onrus or Stanford if that’s your thing. To explore some of the many options, have a look at Hermanus Tourism’s website or browse some choices on booking agents like Lekkeslaap.

17. Take a day trip

Cape Agulhas lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Africa

We’ve established that there’s tons to do in Hermanus, but the town is also is well-positioned for trips to other towns and villages nearby. If you feel like getting out into the surrounding countryside, head for one of these places either as a day trip or as a stopover on your way to or from Hermanus.

• Arniston – see Things to do at Arniston
• Bredasdorp with its ship museum
• Kleinmond – see Things to do in Kleinmond
• L’Agulhas – southernmost tip of the continent of Africa with its lighthouse
• Gansbaai – see Things to do in Gansbaai
• Greyton – see Things to do in Greyton
• Stanford – see Things to do in Stanford

​
Getting to Hermanus

Walk the Cliff Path for views of Hermanus and the sea crashing on the rocks

Hermanus is about 120km south-east of Cape Town via the N2, which will take you over Sir Lowry’s Pass. At Bot River, turn onto the R43 (exit 90), which will take you past Vermont and Onrus to Hermanus. If you’re approaching along the N2 from the Garden Route to the east, turn left towards Stanford on the R326 about 8km west of Riviersonderend. Once you come to the traffic circle at Stanford, turn right (third exit) onto the R43 and continue for about 25km to Hermanus.

Best time to visit Hermanus
​What is the best time to visit Hermanus? I can truthfully say that it is a year-round destination, so choosing your time has more to do with your preferences. Summers (November to February) are hot and sunny with blue skies and temperatures in the 20s or low 30s Celsius. There may be one or two days of rain during these months, although most of the rain falls in winter. December to February is the busiest season in Hermanus, with lots of local and overseas visitors.

Vineyards as far as the eye can see in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

The winter months of June to August are cooler, with lows of around 12-13 degrees Celsius and highs in the upper teens. Bear in mind when planning your activities that Hermanus is in a winter rainfall area, with some 70-95mm of rain likely to fall in any one of these months. This is the second busiest tourist season in Hermanus given that it’s peak time for whale-watching.

Although we often visit in the busy summer months, my preferred seasons are perhaps the more temperate spring (September/October) and autumn (April/May). I particularly like early September, when temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold, there’s less than 10% chance of rain, and a high chance of spotting whales in Walker Bay as well as lots of birds on your hikes. If you dislike crowds, try to avoid the weekends towards the end of September and early October when Hermanus hosts the Fernkloof Flower Festival (see point 2) and the much busier Whale Festival (see point 5).

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