This lovely town, on the
coastal area of the Overberg, is most well known for its awesome land based
whale watching. Most of Hermanus’ shoreline is rocky cliff, quite
high above Walker Bay so it offers fantastic viewpoints from which to observe
the huge southern right whales as they come into the bay to mate, calve
and just hang out in the (relatively) warm water. (It’s warmer than Antarctica.)
A whale crier blows a horn made from kelp and informs locals and tourists
alike where the whales are to be found at any given time. The whales usually
arrive in late winter – towards the end of June or beginning of July –
and stay until autumn, with the last stragglers heading back down south
in November, or even December. The town holds a whale festival every year
from the end of September to the beginning of October.
There
is a lovely path, most of which is wheelchair-friendly, along the cliff
top. As well as the lovely sea views and sightings of whales, there are
many pretty and fragrant flowers. It is a wonderful path and it’s generally
safe but use your common sense and don’t walk alone on it when there are
hardly any other people about. There is also a boat based whale watching
operator based in the New Harbour.
Other attractions in this
lovely town include a wine tasting cellar, a museum, in which you can see
many exhibits pertaining to whaling and fishing, and a golf course.
The nearby Hermanus Lagoon
is a great place to sail or paddle, and the paragliding is excellent. The
diving is great and Hermanus is a popular beach destination, even though
there is only one beach. For nature lovers a visit to the Fernkloof Nature
Reserve is a great way to get up close to the dainty montane coastal fynbos
which attracts scores of jewel bright sunbirds and elegant sugarbirds which
flit about the proteas. There are loads of marked trails for strolls or
long walks taking in the extensive views of Walker Bay.
Hermanus is just bursting
at the seams with good restaurants, lovely guest houses and characterful
hotels.
16
Reasons Guest House, HERMANUS We
are centrally located, only a five minute walk to the Village, restaurants,
craft market and cliff paths for whale-watching. Enjoy a full farmhouse
breakfast to start your day. Secure parking on site for all vehicles.
All suites have separate entrances and overlook the pool and garden. Facilities
in the suites include: D-SAT TV, phones, safes, hairdryers, fans, heaters,
tea and coffee making facilities with complimentary shortbread, fridges
and full en-suite bathrooms.
Abalone
Guest Lodge, Guest House, HERMANUS An unusually artistic and
unique guest house situated midway between the town centre and the beautiful
white beaches of Hermanus. Abalone Lodge is easily accessible from
the Main Rd, and thanks to the well-known scenic cliff path to the front,
is a unique whale-watching spot. All our rooms are en-suite with
panoramic sea and mountain views. Each room is individually appointed with
original South African art and decor. All our rooms have private balconies
or patios. Most Rooms are twin bedded. Room 1 and Six can be made
up into King size beds on request. All rooms are en-suite and have Satellite
TV's, telephones, email and fax, under floor heating, personalised linen,
heated towel rails, tea coffee facilities.
Cliff
Cottage B&B, HERMANUS Come and relax at Cliff
Cottage, just across the road from the famous Hermanus cliff paths and
some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. We offer spacious
Cape Dutch en-suite double or twin bedrooms and family suites, with garden
entrances, satellite TV, off-street parking, mountain views, and scrumptious
home-cooked or continental breakfasts. You can take a scenic walk
along the cliff paths to the village shops, bars, restaurants and craft
market. The magnificent Grotto beach, Fernkloof Nature reserve, premier
27-hole Golf Course and the Hemel-en-Arde Valley vineyards are all just
a short drive away.
Etoile
Guest House, Voelklip, HERMANUS Etoile
is a stylish and upmarket guest house with a unique interior and gracious
flow between interior and exterior spaces - a true haven of relaxation.
Etoile is a stone's throw away from the sea with its sandy beaches, and
the nature reserve with its majestic mountains provides a perfect backdrop
to the guest house. A sea view is guaranteed from all five our bedrooms.
Start your morning with a brisk walk all along our famous cliff path -
a heavenly walk; watch the whales frolick in the bay from the comfort of
your room, the cliff path or nearby rocks; enjoy the sunset on the beach;
wet your feet in the rock pools or seach for some unusual shells in the
sandy beaches.
Harbour
Vue Guest House, HERMANUS Overlooking the bay and
the new harbour in Hermanus, Harbour Vue Guest House offers superb 4 star
luxury accommodation for business or leisure. The suites are tastefully
and individually decorated with high quality finishes, each with en-suite
bathrooms. Views are simply spectacular. Relax on the balcony while sipping
a sundowner ... life doesn't get better than this. Breakfasts are
a delicious affair. You'll be spoilt for choice in the sea-facing dining
room with the glass panel’s wide open to allow the sounds of the ocean
to roll in. Set on a sea facing property just 50 m from the famous
cliff paths of Hermanus, Harbor Vue offers a perfect base from which to
explore the diversities including the famous Southern Right Whales which
this fascinating seaside town offers.
Milkwood
Lodge, Guest Lodge, HERMANUS Within walking distance
of the popular Voëlklip and Grotto beaches and only 6 minutes from
the village centre, spacious en suite double or twin bedrooms and a self-catering
cottage with magnificent sea or mountain views. Spacious en suite
double or twin bedrooms, with sea or mountain views, private entrances
and patios ensuring comfort and privacy. Gracious sitting room, full
breakfast and hospitality bar. Complimentary tea or coffee at any
time. Swimming pool and spacious gardens.
Mitchell
Street Village Guest House, HERMANUS Mitchell
Street Village Guest House is a luxury guesthouse which offers exceptional,
value for money accommodation in Hermanus, and is only 1 hour and 15 minutes
drive from Cape Town. Immerse yourself in the unique accommodation of our
country house bed and breakfast retreat and relax in the beautiful Walker
Bay surrounds. Hermanus, nestled on the sea cliffs in the Western
Cape, is world famous for its land based whale watching. Its natural beauty
will leave you wanting to come back for more. Our 27 hole golf course is
a stone's throw away from the guest house, and the numerous cliff path
walks and nature reserve trails are sure to impress even the most well
travelled.
Onrus
Bed & Breakfast, Onrus near HERMANUS Situated between the mountain
and the ocean, in the Walker Bay region, lays Onrus, a small tranquil village.
It is only 8 km from the centre of Hermanus, the heart of the Whale Route.
Onrus B&B is situated on part of the land where the old Onrus Hotel
was built in 1911. The braai-area of the Hotel still remains and
is now part of the braai area of Onrus B&B where guests can have a
real South-African braai under the milkwood trees while breathing in the
fresh aroma of the sea. Hermanus offers the world's best place to
view whales. It's an unforgettable and absolutely spectacular experience
to see the biggest mammals in the world from so nearby. The town
of Hermanus offers a wide range of activities to visitors which including
boat rides shark viewing and shark cage diving for the more adventurous
visitors, fishing, surfing, swimming and many more.
Pebble
Beach Guest House, HERMANUS Pebble
Beach Guest House is a Luxury Guest House overlooking the 25th green of
Hermanus Golf Course, with the Fernkloof Nature Reserve leading off from
our back garden. The north facing pool area bathed in sunshine. Seven
beautifully appointed rooms with en-suite bathrooms and wrap-around verandahs.
Five star attention to detail.Two wonderful golf-courses, Hermanus on our
doorstep and Arabella just 20 minutes away. Or walk the beautiful Fernkloof
Nature Reserve which starts at our back garden. Whale watching is the speciality
in Hermanus and it's just a two minute drive to the cliff paths.
Harbour
House Hotel, HERMANUS With
its sophisticated ultra modern decor Harbour House Hotel has set new standards
in accommodation for Visitors in Hermanus. The exquisitely designed
and furnished rooms in the Hotel feature original artwork. Each Room has
a small kitchenette to enable Guests to enjoy light meals in the comfort
of their rooms should they so desire. With Whale viewing from Hotel
balconies, the Hotel enjoys the most prominent of positions in the centre
of the old town. Plentiful off-street Parking (a nominal daily fee is charged)
frees Guests to explore the town centre on foot, with a multitude of Restaurants,
Shops and Bars surrounding the Hotel. The Hotel is wi-fi enabled
and Guests can enjoy the use of a Work Station at Reception.
Misty
Waves Boutique Hotel, HERMANUS Hermanus
Misty Waves offers the best of Hermanus! Absolutely stunning sea views
from your luxurious bedroom. You can lie in bed and watch the whales. Suites
with lounge area and private veranda have spa baths and some with four
poster beds. Only ONE minute walk to Village Centre, craft markets
and restaurants! NO NEED TO DRIVE ANYWHERE! We even offer a chauffeur
service to golf clubs! Metres from famous Cliff Paths for the best
land based whale watching in the world. Linger in the lounge area
with fireplace. Sumptuous breakfasts in adorable dining area! Romantic
inhouse Dinners by Candlelight with a view on the entire Walker Bay!
The
Marine Hermanus, Luxury Hotel, HERMANUS Walter
McFarlane, who had moved to Hermanus from nearby Elgin in the 1880's, built
the Marine Hotel in 1902. The hotel started off quite modestly with
a mere 21 rooms and over the years the hotel has seen numerous extensions
and changes of ownership. Following the purchase of the Marine by David
Rawdon in the early 1980's and four years of painstaking renovation, thirteen
years of successful management ensued. However a new custodian was required
to take this grand old lady into the new millennium. Liz McGrath
became the new owner of the Marine Hotel in March 1998 and so began the
complete makeover of this historic hotel.
Windsor
Hotel Hermanus, HERMANUS If
you're looking for Hermanus accommodation, you won't find a location as
picturesque as this. The Windsor Hotel is situated on a cliff edge with
spectacular panoramic views of the Indian Ocean below, visible from almost
all its rooms. This Hermanus hotel is perfect for a relaxing seaside holiday
break, and the frolicking whales in the Indian Ocean will add to your enjoyment!
Windsor Hotel has a three star rating and was built in 1896 - making it
the oldest accommodation in Hermanus! Of all the Hermanus hotels to be
built since then, the Windsor has remained a popular holiday option. Hermanus
offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. This is
because its waters are the breeding ground and nursery of the famous Southern
Right whale. September's whale breeding season sets the scene for the vibey
and popular Hermanus whale festival.
31
Tobago Bay, Self-Catering Holiday Rental Apartment, HERMANUS 31
Tobago Bay Hermanus is a beautiful self catering Seafront Apartment.
It is a One bedroom self catering apartment featuring Bathroom en suite.
Spacious open plan living areas leading to patio with stunning sea views.
All mod cons including T.V., Music center, microwave, gas barbeque etc.
You have access to sea via broadwalk. The apartment is three minutes to
town center by car. Enjoy using the Communal pool with squash courts,
Communal laundry facilities. Shade parking within security complex.
Canterbury
Lodge, Luxury Self-Catering Villa, HERMANUS Canterbury
Lodge is situated in the picturesque town of Hermanus, on the Western Cape
coast. This cozy holiday retreat is the perfect place in which to unwind
and enjoy a stress free getaway. Take a dip in the swimming pool or relax
in the shade of the patio. Dine indoors or barbecue out in the garden.
The choice is yours. Because the whole house is available for rent as a
single unit, you and your family will be able to come and go as you please.
Here, optimal privacy and freedom of movement are yours. Mere minutes
away from beaches, shops, restaurants, pubs and bars, Canterbury Lodge
offers the best in convenience and accessibility. The front door is a short
walk away from the magnificent seaside cliff path with its panoramic views
of the both the ocean and the surrounding mountains.
H
& A Guest Houses, Self-Catering Guest Houses, HERMANUS Situated
in the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde valley, the H & A Guest Houses offers
accommodation in 2 new architecturally designed double-storey houses within
this beautiful security estate. The houses each sleep 6 people comfortably,
have 3 bedrooms (main en-suite), 2 bathrooms Tastefully furnished
with all the mod cons necessary to make your holiday as enjoyable and hassle
free as possible and a large enclosed patio ideal for al-fresco
dining during the long warm summer months. Surrounded by magnificent mountains
and breathtaking views, the estate is less than 3 km outside of Hermanus
which offers a wide range of restaurants, wine estates as well as one of
the best land based whale watching sites in the world.
Milkwood
Lodge, Guest Lodge, HERMANUS Within walking distance
of the popular Voëlklip and Grotto beaches and only 6 minutes from
the village centre, spacious en suite double or twin bedrooms and a self-catering
cottage with magnificent sea or mountain views. Spacious en suite
double or twin bedrooms, with sea or mountain views, private entrances
and patios ensuring comfort and privacy. Gracious sitting room, full
breakfast and hospitality bar. Complimentary tea or coffee at any
time. Swimming pool and spacious gardens.
