There are many options for a boat ride in Hermanus, it is a coastal town and one of the main attractions here is whale watching. You can find many tour operators and boat tours down by the harbor. 

Yes renting a car when traveling to and visiting Hermanus is the best option due to the distance to the nearest airport and the location. There is a lot to see and do in the region and having your own car is the best option. 

Yes, walking around Hermanus is possible due to its small compact, and easy to explore on foot. There is a 7.5-mile walk along the cliff paths which is spectacular especially during “whale season” as it offers the best land-based viewing point in the world.  

Hermanus is a great seaside town perfect for a bike ride, there are mountain biking trails, a cycling track, and guided cycling trips available. The Hermanus Cycle Track is an 8.3-mile trail in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, located just above the town. It is a moderately challenging trail popular for mountain biking, and birding, and its spectacular views. The Hermanus MTB Trail features four routes that start at Hemel-en-Aarde Village, the Green Route runs for 4.34 miles, and the Black Route runs for 40 miles. There are dedicated bicycle lanes and paths on South African roads. 

Hermanus is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

There are some great markets in Hermanus worth exploring. The markets are a great place to shop for local food with an amazing array of fresh organic produce, homemade delicacies, artisan bread, probiotic yogurts, handmade cheeses, smoked fish, happy hen eggs, wheat-free bakes, arts and crafts, as well as live music. Held at the Hermanus Cricket Club every Saturday from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. 

The streets in downtown Hermanus are brimming with markets and boutique stores, it’s a good place for a stroll and to do some window shopping. 

There are several beautiful beaches to check out when visiting the charming seaside town of Hermanus nestled along South Africa’s coast. Spend a day on the tranquil stretches of golden white sands, the town’s natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere can be found at one of the many beaches. 

Grotto Beach is Hermanus’s largest beach and holds the acclamation as a Blue Flag Beach. Grotto boasts a spacious stretch of family-friendly sands and is known for its clean, calm waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other activities. There is a park here for kids, beach games, and picnic areas. There are lifeguards on duty and dogs are welcome on leashes.

Kammabaai Beach is another Blue Flag Beach near Hermanus it is also known as ‘Nanny’s Beach’. This family-friendly beach is very safe for swimming and features several rock tidepools for exploration where marine life can be seen. It is also a good beach for surfing with gentle waves. It is linked to Voelklip and Grotto Beach by a cliff park. 

Voelklip Beach is another Blue Flag beach in the area surrounded by verdant hills, it is a surfer’s paradise and a peaceful beach with a long stretch of sand. During peak season this beach is buzzing with activity and is close to amenities. 

Macassar Beach is a quiet retreat located on the eastern slopes of False Bay. It is the perfect setting for a peaceful beach day with pristine sand and a protected environment for swimming and surfing. 

The official language spoken in Hermanus is Zulu, English is also commonly spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good English/South African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Hermanus features a mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cooler winters. The majority of rain falls during the winter months from June to August. Average midday temperatures range from 77 F in February to 60 F in July. The Seaside town of Hermanus can be visited every year there is something to see and do throughout the year with comfortable weather. If you are visiting Hermanus to see the famous whales then you will want to plan your trip between June and December with activity peaking in August and September. The winter months from June to August are the coldest time of year and on average these months see the most rain and temperatures ranging from 50-66 degrees F. The summer months run from November to January are the hottest with average temperatures from 59-77 degrees F. 

The currency of the Hermanus is the South African Rand (ZAR, or R), although US dollars are not widely accepted. You should either exchange your US dollars for South African Rand and be sure to keep cash on hand when arriving in South Africa. Cash is preferred, there are ATMs found at the airport and locations in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

Hermanus is home to a great variety of dining options. The seaside resort town features some well-known franchises, cozy restaurants, and rustic eateries, and is not short on seafood restaurants due to its location on the harbor. Hermanus restaurants also focus on farm-to-table dining showcasing the country’s bountiful produce. Food lovers can find everything from sushi to steak, quaint coffee shops, and five-star restaurants, there is something for every appetite. The seafront area in the heart of town is where a great collection of gourmet restaurants, outdoor cafes, pubs, and coffee shops are. These locations allow diners to take in the seaside views along the promenade. Flavors in town range from authentic South African cuisine to Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options. 

Seafood is a specialty in Hermanus with many restaurants offering a line fish of the day, a fresh catch of the day, fresh mussels, calamari, and prawns. The restaurants in town also offer a variety of food and daily specials many are known for their incredible views and outstanding service. There are some excellent steak houses found between Hermanus town and Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Hemel-en-Aarde also offers some great options during the day with opportunities for food and wine pairings, picnics, and exquisite lunches hosted on various wine farms. Hotels in Hermanus offer their guests some classical dining experience with outstanding menus and extensive wine lists, wine is renowned in this area as well as the views. There are two Saturday morning food markets, one is the Hermanus Country Market where visitors can stock up on delicious homemade eats and gourmet treats, preserves, fresh produce cakes, and local wines.

Hermanus is home to a great variety of dining options. The seaside resort town features some well-known franchises, cozy restaurants, and rustic eateries, and is not short on seafood restaurants due to its location on the harbor. Hermanus restaurants also focus on farm-to-table dining showcasing the country’s bountiful produce. Food lovers can find everything from sushi to steak, quaint coffee shops, and five-star restaurants, there is something for every appetite. The seafront area in the heart of town is where a great collection of gourmet restaurants, outdoor cafes, pubs, and coffee shops are. These locations allow diners to take in the seaside views along the promenade. Flavors in town range from authentic South African cuisine to Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian options. 

Seafood is a specialty in Hermanus with many restaurants offering a line fish of the day, a fresh catch of the day, fresh mussels, calamari, and prawns. The restaurants in town also offer a variety of food and daily specials many are known for their incredible views and outstanding service. There are some excellent steak houses found between Hermanus town and Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Hemel-en-Aarde also offers some great options during the day with opportunities for food and wine pairings, picnics, and exquisite lunches hosted on various wine farms. Hotels in Hermanus offer their guests some classical dining experience with outstanding menus and extensive wine lists, wine is renowned in this area as well as the views. There are two Saturday morning food markets, one is the Hermanus Country Market where visitors can stock up on delicious homemade eats and gourmet treats, preserves, fresh produce cakes, and local wines.

In case of an emergency dial 10111 for police, and 10177 for an ambulance. For all emergencies dial 112.

Hospital: Provincial Hospital tel. 028-312-1166