While enjoying your stay at the Nantucket; take part in the many activities in the area or explore what nature has to offer.
Whale Watching:
Hermanus is known as the land based whale capital of the world… from the cliffs, a boat or from the air.
You can see whales frolicking from the winding coastline, observe from the benches along the cliff paths. The Southern Right Whales start arriving in Walker Bay from June and have usually left again by December. Peak Whale season, when sightings are virtually guaranteed on a daily basis, is during September and October. Calving season is in August and September and the Whale population peaks in Walker Bay during October.
Whale Crier on the Cliff Path; The only Whale Crier in the world is not only a major attraction but keeps visitors informed as to where the whales can be seen when he does his rounds every day. The sound of his kelp horn has become a characteristic of the charm of this seaside resort during the whale season. The Whale Crier of Hermanus blows his kelp horn, when whales have been sighted. Then everybody looks out onto the sea then. What makes Hermanus so special: The marine mammals come within a few metres of the cliffs and can be watched at close range. Only if the waters are calm though. When the sea is rough the whales stay far away from the coast. The sound of his kelp horn has become a characteristic of the charm of this seaside resort during the whale season.
Hiking in Nature Reserves:
Cliff Path The Hermanus Cliff Path offers the best land-based whale watching in the world during whale season (July to November). This nature lover’s paradise is a beautiful path that stretches approximately 11km, hugging the coastline of Hermanus. Nature enthusiasts and avid walkers can enjoy a guided Cliff Path walk that ranges between 4km, which takes approximately 1 hour to complete & 7 km, which is a 2-hour walk. The Cliff Path was incorporated into the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in 2000, to ensure the protection of the fynbos vegetation and the ecosystem. Fernkloof Nature Reserve
This reserve stretches from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to Maanskynbaai and offers more than 50km of hiking trails and a mountain bike trail. Over 1600 different plant species and 111 bird species have been identified and recorded in the reserve
Beaches:
Hermanus beaches offer long stretches of soft white sand, small intimate coves and spectacular waves. Soak up the sun at any one of our stunning beaches.
Grotto beach is a Blue Flag Beach in Hermanus. This beach is excellent for swimming, sun bathing, romantic walks, games and well suited to kids.
A favourite with locals and tourists alike, endless stretch of white sand also makes it an excellent location to take the dogs for a walk, something which many a pet owner can be seen taking advantage of. If you are feeling particularly energetic, take the +/- 18 km walk from Grotto Beach all along the coastline to nearby De Kelders. The views are outstanding and in season you will in all likelihood spot a few whales.
Voëlklip beach: Sheltered from the wind & popular with surfers.
It has grass terraces, ideal for sunbathing and picnics without the sand. There are a number of benches providing the perfect place for whale watching. There are clean amenities and ample parking.
Kammabaai, also known today as ‘Lover’s Cove’ and earlier years as Nanny;s Beach, has great waves for surfing, with picnic and braai areas.
Langbaai is Hermanus’ ‘secret beach’ and offers a private bathing area beneath the cliffs. Walking down Fourth Avenue in Voëlklip, a footpath going down the cliff underneath milkwood trees, leads to the pretty, secluded Langbaai (long bay) which is really not long at all.
Sandbaai beach has a variety of rock pools with fascinating marine life. It is popular at low tide for swimming and snorkelling.
Onrus Beach: The crescent shaped beach at Onrus is one of the most popular far both young and old. Surfers and body boarders share the waves but the strong currents make it treacherous for swimmers. The tranquil lagoon that opens to the sea after heavy rains compensates for this. Facilities include cloakrooms with showers and a restaurant that overlooks the lagoon, white beaches and the beautiful blue bay beyond.
Hawston beach is a pristine white beach stretching all the way to Kleimond. It is however not recommended for swimming as the currents are treacherous. The area near the Hawston harbour is a favourite surfing spot for youngsters. Walking this stretch of Hawston’s beach, with forays into the dunes to view the Bot River lagoon behind them, is beautiful and may give walkers a chance of spotting the elusive ‘wild’ horses of Kleinrnond and their magic.
Family Day Trips:
Watch the Penguins play at Stoney Point, Betty’s Bay. A day trip with the family to Stony Point at Betty’s Bay, situated approximately 30 minutes from Hermanus, is definitely worth a visit, one of only two mainland breeding places of the African penguin.
The boardwalk leads visitors out to the rocky peninsula, where the penguins rest and preen, and also passes close to the nesting sites. Other birds frequently seen here include African black oystercatchers, three species of cormorant and a number of gull species.
Golfing in and around Hermanus
Hermanus Golf Course offers the keen golfer 27 incredible holes of golf. The Hermanus golf course is set in magnificent scenery with views of the sea and a backdrop of the mountains. Wild life and natural Cape flora are attractive features and the many trees provide the beauty for ideal golfing terrain.
Arabella Golf Club Surrounded by the magnificent mountains and Bot River Lagoon, and edged by wild fynbos, the picturesque Arabella Golf Course is the ideal place to pursue a passion for golf and enjoy an ideal golf holiday. The fabled 18-hole, Par 72 Championship course has consistently been ranked in the top 10 courses in South Africa. The 8th hole has been described as one of the most beautiful par 5’s in South Africa and the 18th hole was rated one of the finest finishing holes in the country.