10 Reasons to choose Hermanus for your winter holiday!

Winter is upon us, and the days are getting shorter and colder. There is no better time to escape the winter blues than plan a family break in Hermanus. We have picked a selection of 10 winter sun holiday activities you can choose to relax and unwind away from the city buzz.

1.  Meet and greet a Southern Right Whale - The migrating Southern Right Whales visit our coastline annually from June - December.  Hermanus is world renowned for the best land-based whale watching in the world.  In fact, Hermanus has just been voted as the best place in the world to watch whales!  Follow the sound of the Whale Crier’s kelp horn who is a sure sign a whale has been spotted!   More info: Whale Watching in Hermanus

2. The characteristic plants of fynbos are proteas, colourful ericas, hardy Cape reeds and plants known as geotypes that survive harsh conditions underground as bulbs.

 The biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom is richer than anywhere else on earth and puts up its most colourful display in winter – Fernkloof Nature Reserve towers majestically over the town of Hermanus, influencing the weather patterns, creating shelter from the ferocious winds and lifting the spirits of daily hikers and solitude seekers. Fernkloof provides an opportunity to discover the 1474 species of fynbos that have thus far been collected and identified.

3. Shopping in Hermanus offers far more than just the hectic throng of the shops and market stalls. If you’re in search of something a little more refined, go beyond the crowds to find some of the best artisanal creations over time With a tradition of craftsmanship and heritage extending back over time, this shop  boasts a fantastic array of memorabilia, fine porcelain, toys, military uniforms & equipment, and vintage clothing.

4. Put on your walking boots! Hiking - Walking along the 12km Hermanus Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour hugging the coastline all the way to Grotto Beach. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve boasts 60 km mountain hiking trails. From easy to strenuous it remains a cherished adventure to be to walk through pristine fynbos, overlooking the spectacular Walker Bay, directly from the town’s doorstep.

5.  Shhhh... Don’t tell anyone, but we will let you in on our best-kept secret!  Hermanus has balmy winter days with no wind, perfect to sip a cappuccino at an outdoor café on the waterfront where you will be rewarded with awesome, infinite ocean views. Read a book or get familiar with some local stories at the Village Square, Waterfront Piazza in the heart of town.

6. SANSA (South African National Space Agency), the regional Space Weather Warning Centre in Hermanus aims to promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and is dedicated to outreach and public education. SANSA encourage learners to aspire to careers in STEM, and the public is welcome to tour their SANSA facilities and attend public lectures about SANSA’s work around the world. Activities within the SANSA Science Centre and the interactive mobile space laboratory

. Don’t forget to take the kids!

7.  Visit one of our 3 authentic museums in the centre of town:

• The Old Harbour Open Air Museum in Hermanus displays the fishing history of Hermanus. 
• The Whale House Museum has an extensive whale collection and larger than life murals with interesting information about the whales and dolphin species on the Cape whale coast.
• De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum has an extensive collection of black and white photos of the founders and legends that gave rise to the town of Hermanus. Get a unique glimpse of the town’s history.

8.  Wine tasting with award-winning wines from one of the four wine routes in the area. The Hermanus R320 Wine Route is situated in the breathtaking Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.  The Stanford Wine Route is on the R43 on the other side of town and the off the beaten track Elim and Agulhas Wine Routes boast with the most southerly vineyards in the country. Taste the sea in wines like Periwinkle, Soutbos and First Sighting! Decanter award-winning wines are available for tasting and sales at most wineries. Food & Wine pairing has never tasted this good.

9. Many a food-loving traveller will tell you that one of the best ways to get an authentic feel for a locale is to visit its central food markets. It’s always a feast for the senses that, for most, will lead to a feast on the table either at home or right there at the market. Follow the locals to find what they deem best and freshest, or follow your own intuition for whatever catches your fancy that day. to one of the several markets to choose from, such as the Hermanus Country Market and the Hermanuspietersfontein Food and Wine Market, which are a popular meeting place for locals on a Saturday morning.

10.  Hermanus offers hundreds of activities to choose from, including whale watching, shark cage diving, hiking, golfing, bird watching, fishing, abseiling, treetop tours, quad biking and horse riding. This town may be full of history and adventure, but the beautiful surroundings are also a magnet for contemporary art too. With a growing interest in emerging art, new galleries relish in the opportunity to showcase the rising stars of the art scene. Discover some of the most established and new artists that are nurturing their talent in Hermanus.

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