Destinations – Hermanus
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HERMANUS HERMANUS IS RENOWNED AS THE BEST LAND-BASED WHALE WATCHING DESTINATION IN THE WORLD Aside from being the best place to view whales on the planet, Hermanus is renowned for its wild beauty, artisanal food producers and its proximity to the Hemel-en-Aarde wine route. The town was originally called Hermanuspieters- fontein, but the name was shortened because it was too long for the postal ser- vice. Full of quaint boutiques, markets and galleries, the town is a popular South Af- rican tourist destination for local and international visitors. The town is a scenic 90 minute drive from Cape Town. The pure air, pristine beaches and sheer tranquillity are a captivating combina- tion in themselves, but for those looking for an energetic Hermanus holiday, a huge selection of outdoor pursuits is available. There is plenty to do in Herma- nus for the whole family including surfing, fishing, quad-biking, mussel-picking, kite-surfing, golf, tennis, hiking, cycling and horse riding, as well as the more convivial pursuit of wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The town’s fascinating history as a fishing village can be traced by visiting the Old Harbour museum, where old fishing boats and reconstructed fishermen’s shacks are on display. For the more adventurous, explore the rich flora and fauna of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve with numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. Over 1100 different plant species have been collected and identi- fied within the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, an area of only 15 square kilometres. This makes it one of the six floral kingdoms of the world and compares well with the UK’s total number of 1500 species. THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN HERMANUS 1. Marine Dynamics Shark Cage Diving - take a 20 minute boat 6. Golfing - Hermanus is a wonderful golfing destination. Hermanus trip out to sea and visit Shark Alley where you will come face-to- Golf Club in the center of town and Arabella golf club is just a face with a Great White shark. short distance away and voted amongst the Top 5 golf courses in South Africa. 2. Whale Watching - Whale watching can be done on land, at sea or in the air. For those looking to get up close and personal with the 7. Cycling & Hiking - Hermanus is surrounded by natural wonder. Southern Right and Humpback whales we recommend heading There are two incredible nature reserves in close proximity - Fern- out on the ocean with a company called Dyer Island Cruises, their kloof Nature Reserve and Walker Bay Nature Reserve. primary focus is on marine conservation and research. They are part of the same company that we recommend for Shark Cage 8. Horse Riding - Whether you’re a first time rider or an experi- Diving – Marine Dynamics. enced pro, Hermanus is the ideal destination to explore on horse- back while savouring the champagne air. 3. Wine Tasting - The Hemel-en-Aarde is one of South Africa’s premier, cool-climate wine producing regions and is home to some 9. Fishing - Embark on a one or two hour fishing expedition around of the country’s finest and oldest estates. It’s no coincidence that Gansbaai, Bettie’s Bay or if the weather permits, on long beach the Afrikaans name Hemel-en-Aarde translates directly to Heaven- also known as “Die Plaat” which is a semi-private beach, that forms and-Earth. part of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. 4. Beach Day - Visit two of Hermanus’s best swimming and surfing 10. Butterfly World - This unique attraction has a tropical garden in beaches - Voelklip and Nanny’s Beach. The mile long Grotto Beach a 1000m² green house where visitors have the opportunity to see is just a short drive or walk away. exotic butterflies, reptiles, spiders, meerkats and lots more. 5. Sea Kayaking - A wonderful outdoor pursuit for the more adven- turous. It will get you up close to some of Hermanus’s fascinating sea life and it’s also great exercise. BEST BEACHES IN HERMANUS GROTTO BEACH Is the longest strip of white sand in Hermanus and has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Status. This award requires a high standard of cleanliness, environmental protection and rehabilitation, full-time lifeguards and security. Grotto Beach is surrounded by mountains and indigenous plant life and is still the most popular location for beach-goers. VOËLKLIP BEACH Meaning ‘Bird Rock’ in Afrikaans, Voëlklip Beach is a small- er beach ideal for swimming, sunbathing and is a favourite amoung local surfers. Don’t forget your picnic blanket and fa- vourite snacks as there are leveled grassy lawns to picnic along for those wanting a break from the sand. KAMMA BAY Also known as Nanny’s Bay or Kammabaai, is loved by fam- ilies and surfers alike for a relaxed day on the sands. During low tide, fascinating sea creatures are revealed amoung the rocky outcrops while high tide brings ideal waves for surfing. Voëlklip Beach and Grotto beach can be reached from Kam- ma Bay via a short walk along the world-renowned cliff path. WHEN TO VISIT HERMANUS Hermanus weather is moderate all year round. In peak summer season, from December to February, temperatures can climb as high as 34°C, but average at a pleasant 23°C. During the winter months of June, July, and August, Hermanus has frequent rain and some chilly evenings, with lows of 10°C and an average temperature of 15°C – ideal if you plan to stay indoors and snuggle up by the fire enjoying some of the local Pinot Noirs. Generally, however, this season has many sunny and warm days. A highlight during the winter months is the start of the whale season which runs from June to October. Events in Hermanus: January: Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir Celebration June: Hermanus FynArts Festival; The Whale Season Begins July: Whale Season August: Whale Season September: Hermanus Whale Festival; Hermanus Flower Festival; Hermanus Wine & Food Festival; Whale Season October: Whale Season DISCOVER BIRKENHEAD HOUSE HERMANUS BIRKENHEAD HOUSE ADDRESS tel: +27 (0) 28 314 8000 Cnr 11th Street and 7th Avenue, fax: +27 (0) 28 314 8015 Voelklip, Hermanus Email: [email protected] P O Box 1582 RESERVATIONS Hermanus Tel: +27 (0) 21 671 5502 7200 Head Office: +27 (0) 21 761 8292 Email: [email protected] | [email protected] www.theroyalportfolio.com.