The small town of Hermanus is nestled in Walker Bay in the Overberg district of South Africa's Western Cape and is well known as the whale watching capital of the world.
It is one of the most vibrant holiday destinations in the country and is close enough to Cape Town to warrant a day trip
This gorgeous seaside town Hermanus has a proud history dating back to the early 1800s when a man by the name of Hermanus Pieters followed a path etched into the ground by a herd of elephants. Hermanus Pieters was a traveling teacher and Sheppard who growing tired of his locality made the decision to pack up and try somewhere new. He wandered south of Caledon along the elephant trail and ended up next to the sea where he discovered a fresh spring. Hermanus Pieters decided to set up camps here because of this spring and the fine grazing the land provided for his livestock. This beautiful setting became known as Hermanuspietersfontein (directly translated as Hermanus Pieters Fountain). READ MORE
Hermanus Pieters is credited with first “finding” Hermanus. He arrived in Cape Town in 1815, as a teacher and trekked eastwards with the first ox-wagons to Caledon, where farming was the major industry.
Top Activities and Adventures in Hermanus. Hermanus is teeming with fun-filled activities suited for families, groups and individuals, ranging from land to water to air activities.
Hermanus is also known as the best whale-watching spot in the world, around the corner at Gansbaai you will find shark cage diving and in the Cape Whale Coast area are many hiking trails through Nature reserves with fynbos and King Proteas. READ MORE
What's On Hermanus Activity and Adventure listings
Hermanus is a popular holiday town on the southern coast of the Western Cape. With a couple of nature reserves in and around the area, a nature lover paradise. Hermanus is also world-famous for having fantastic land and boat-based whale watching.
Shows and Events all year round that showcase all that Hermanus has to offer.
Here you will find a full list of events in Hermanus.
Visit one of our popular beaches
Onrus Beach · Grotto Beach · Kammabaai Beach · Langbaai Beach · Voelklip Beach · Hawston Beach
The Hermanus Whale Festival is annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to the coast of Hermanus and is also known as the only Eco-Marine festival in South Africa.
More info: Hermanus Whale Festival website
Location. Hermanus lies along Walker Bay on the south coast of the Western Cape. It is located about 115 km southeast of Cape Town and is connected to the Mother City by the R43 highway (or coastal R44 scenic route) and N2 motorway.
GPS: -34.4169,19.1818228,12
121.3km
Distance from Cape Town to Hermanus.
The driving distance between Cape Town and Hermanus is 121.3km and it would take you 1 Hours 31 minutes if you average 80 km/h (49 mph).
Hermanus is on the Atlantic Ocean and lies along Walker Bay on the south coast of the Western Cape.
Hermanus is considered a safe tourist destination and usually trouble-free, however petty crimes do exist.
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Well, typically the whale season in Hermanus is between June and December every year. Each year Southern Right whales migrate into the coastal waters of the Western Cape to calve and nurse their young. The animals, often mere meters from the shore, provide unsurpassed whale-watching opportunities between June and November. READ MORE
Hermanus is known as the land-based whale capital of the world... from the cliffs, a boat or from the air. One of the most popular locations in Hermanus for whale watching is Siever's Point. The Kwaaiwater lookout point is accessible by vehicle. The Voëlklip and Grotto beaches are perfect for whale spotting and watching, especially on the rocks above the sea. Whale Watching in Hermanus
It's because of this that the whales choose to make their way to Hermanus in the winter months when the sun is weaker and the waters cooler.
Southern Right Whales are the main species of whales visiting the shores of Hermanus although Bryde's whales are found in Walker Bay all year and Humpback Whales migrate offshore of the bay during June, July and sometimes as late as August. MORE INFO
Did you know that we have also had the Marine Big 5? Africa's oceans have been termed the Serengeti of the Seas, so prolific is the sea life that flourishes along our beautiful coastline. More than that, they can be enjoyed right here, in Cape Town.
So who is on the Marine Big 5 list?
Southern Right Whale, African Penguin, Dolphins Great White Sharks, and The South African Fur Seal.
Hermanus has a high concentration of Wine Farms, Wine Estate, and wine tasting
Wine Routes in and around Hermanus and the Cape Whale Coast.
The town of Hermanus developed around the Old Harbour that provided safety to the many fishing boats of the area in 1855, and is still a focal point of the town's activities. The Old Harbour was declared a museum in 1972, and was cleaned up and restored to its former glory
The Old Harbour Museum is located right in the tourist hub of Hermanus in the Western Cape.
Find and book Hermanus accommodation. Hotels, lodges, b&b, homestay, villas and apartments with wifi and free parking. Trusted local company with us - CLICK HERE
Images courtesy of
Martin Etsebeth
Old Harbour in Hermanus
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