The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Hermanus

Afrikaans name: Hermanus

General view of the town of Hermanus

Photo © Iuliia Sokolovska - Fotolia.com

Western Cape

The town of Hermanus has become synonymous with whale-watching during winter and spring. Visitors from far and wide flock here to see the Southern Right Whales. They tend to be visible from the shore from June to early December. A whale festival is held at the end of September.

Hermanus is about 115 km east of Cape Town. It began as Hermanuspietersfontein which was later shortened to Hermanus as the longer name was causing a problem for the Post Office.

Besides the whales the surrounding areas offers a lot of attactions for visitors. Grotto Beach is the main attraction for beach lovers. It is a Blue Flag certified beach that is 2 km in length! A tidal pool has been built just below the Marine Hotel. It offers interesting views of the creatures of the shoreline plus there are Dassies that live amongst the rocks. The rocky coastline and surrounding mountains are very scenic. Plant-lovers will appreciate the wide variety of species present in the fynbos. If you are interested in plants, or feel like going on a hike, then the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve is where you should be heading. Another place to visit is the "Old Harbour Museum" which has exhibits related to whale hunting. Fortunately this practise has stopped allowing the whales to recover some of its decimated population.

Hermanus also attracts numerous birders who come to look for species like Victorin's Warbler, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Southern Tchagra and Cape Rockjumper. A number of gulls and terns may also be seen along the shoreline.

Have you been to Hermanus. Did you see any whales?



References and further reading

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 123

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 622 - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 18

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 85

Country Life - Issue 182 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 34

Country Life - Issue 192 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 73

Country Life - Issue 228 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 40

Country Life - Issue 263 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 56

Country Life - Issue 263 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 70

Country Life - Issue 265 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 81

Country Life - Issue 267 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 71

Country Life - Issue 269 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 78

Country Life - Issue 269 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 80

Country Life - Issue 270 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 86

Country Life - Issue 271 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 72

Country Life - Issue 277 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 81

Country Life - Issue 282 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 61

Country Life - Issue 283 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 46

Country Life - Issue 284 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 73

Country Life - Issue 286 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 91

Farm Stall to Farm Stall - Author: Jennifer Stern - Published: 2014 - Page: 23

Getaway - Vol 27 No 04 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 85

Getaway - Vol 28 No 11 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 60

Getaway - Vol 35 No 05 - Author: - Published: 2023 - Page: 92

go! - Issue 125 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 46

go! - Issue 130 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 100

go! - Issue 140 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 68

go! - Issue 162 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 32

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 55

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 63

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 69

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 234

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 64

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 66

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 178

The Dive Sites of South Africa - Author: Anton Koornhof - Published: 1992 - Page: 48

The Overberg Explorer - 2nd edition - Author: Ann & Mike Scott - Published: 2001 - Page: 91

The Overberg Explorer - 2nd edition - Author: Ann & Mike Scott - Published: 2001 - Page: 133

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 38

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 215

The Whales of Walker Bay - Author: Noel Ashton - Published: 2006 - Page: 1

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 92


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