THINGS TO DO IN HERMANUS SOUTH AFRICA
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Offering one of the most sublime, ceaseless views of Walker Bay and backed by the Olifantsberg, La Gratitude presents the perfect base to discover and explore an incredible variety of activities in and around Hermanus.
The following web sites gives details of up-coming events in Hermanus and the surrounding area:
We have selected a group of people for their expertise in a range of areas, who can arrange to share their knowledge, run classes or help you to arrange special functions at La Gratitude. Some of these people are listed below. If you have a particular interest not mentioned here, Contact us for our extensive list of experts.
- Guided walks for Flora and Fauna
Frank Woodvine has lived in Hermanus for 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge on the local indigenous plants and animals. Hermanus has a variety of indigenous fynbos and a visit to La Gratitude without walking amongst it, is an opportunity missed. He can take walking parties to the local Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which is 10 minutes drive from La Gratitude or along the cliff path, which starts 100 meters from La Gratitude and meanders through beach coves and Melkbos around the bay to the Hermanus village.
- Bird Watching
There is an abundance of bird life in the Overberg and we can arrange for a local bird guide to take you bird watching and share their first hand knowledge with you. You can also simply enjoy the multitude of bird life in the garden at La Gratitude.
- Tour Operators
Les and Schalk of Lescha Tours are Licensed South African Tour Operators and Registered National Tour Guides who are passionate about South Africa. They will tailor make trips for you to the local Overberg Region or further afield within South Africa, to suit your needs.
ACTIVITIES IN HERMANUS
Watch whales breach from La Gratitude's balcony, or walk along the Hermanus Cliff Path that begins in front of La Gratitude and follows the coast all the way into the village of Hermanus and beyond to Hermanus’ New Harbour. Head in the opposite direction and walk along kilometers of pristine beaches to the lagoon and beyond.
There is paragliding off the Olifantberg, vineyard tours that include sampling of delectable South African wines, and shopping for art and crafts bargains in Market Square . Whatever your energy level, Hermanus offers it all in the sun and “champagne air”.
A-Z of Hermanus activities:
- Arts and crafts - numerous artist-owned art and craft studios and galleries
- Beaches - La Gratitude is situated above, and looking out onto, Hermanus' most famous beach, the blue flag Grotto Beach. As the coastline dotted with coves ends, so Grotto Beach begins, extending past the magnificent lagoon at the mouth of the Klein River all the way to De Kelders. Other nearby beaches include Voelklip, Kammabaai, and Langbaai.
- Bird watching - an ornithologists dream with mountain, coastal, river and estuarine avian habitats
- De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum - offers a extraordinary photographic documentation of the history and development of Hermanus.
- Dolphins - are often seen in the region. Species include the endemic Heavisides dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin and Common dolphins.
- Extreme sports - hang-gliding, paragliding, mountain biking, powerboat racing
- Fernkloof - in the saddle between Lemoenkop and Olifantsberg, Fernkloof Nature Reserve hosts one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world. It has 50 km of hiking trails and a mountain biking track and boasts the most stunning views of Hermanus.
- Festivals - the Hawston Sea Festival (December), the Hermanus Wine & Food Fair (July), the Hermanus Whale Festival (September)
- Fishing - with the sea and lagoons full of galjoen, steenbras, kob, red roman, silver fish, red stumpnose, John Brown, and many more, Hermanus attracts fishermen from all over the country. In addition, New Harbour is a working fishing harbour. Boating and rubber duck enthusiasts can make use of the facilities in the New Harbour at a fee.
- Fish shop - buy fresh fish, live crayfish, oysters and other quality seafood direct from the sea in the New Harbour.
- Hermanus Magnetic Observatory - is an active participant in the worldwide network of magnetic observatories, which monitor and model variations of the earth’s magnetic field. Visitors are allowed by appointment.
- Hiking - On the fynbos-covered mountains, Fernkloof Reserve offers unparalleled vistas on a variety of walks above the town.
- Pamper yourself – as a holiday destination, Hermanus boasts all manner of spas and beauty salons that offer the very latest treatments all aimed at ensuring you relax and de-stress.
- Passion Play is held in the Old Harbour every year
- Perlemoen, abalone or Venus ear - Hermanus is regarded as the principal centre of the perlemoen industry in South Africa
- Restaurants – Hermanus not only has its own daily supply of fresh fish, it is surrounded by the farms and vineyards of the fertile Overberg region. A direct consequence is the plethora of excellent restaurants that offer a delicious variety of local and international cuisine with stunning vistas.
- Rock lobster eating and fishing tours
- Roridula gorgonias (vlieëbos in Afrikaans) the largest carnivorous plant in the world grows in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve
- Shark-cage diving with the Great White Shark in the cold Atlantic.
- Shopping - charming boutiques, markets and shops
- Sports - golf, tennis, squash, bowls, canoeing, yachting, diving and surfing
- The Old Harbour - contains a small museum and is a historic highlight of the town, remaining unchanged from early days when it was the centre of activity in the fishing village.
- Walks - a stunning cliff path hugs the coast from one side of Hermanus to the other, affording spectacular views of sea and mountains.
- Water sports– windsurfing on the tranquil lagoon, or diving, fishing and boating in the sea
- Whale Crier - Hermanus has the world’s only Whale Crier who sounds his kelp horn to announce where whales have been sighted.
- Whale watching - from July to November the Southern Right Whale may be seen breaching and playing in the sea, just off-shore. These sights have earned Hermanus the reputation of the best land-based whale watching in the world. The most frequently whales spotted in the Walker Bay area is the Southern Right Whale, but Humpbacks, Bryde’s and the occasional Killer Whale has also been spotted. The whales start arriving in May in order to calve and to mate in the shallow water. Peak time for whales at any one time is October, but many can still be seen in November, tailing off in December.
- Wine route - acclaimed wines are produced in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde valley and Hermanus is home to the Hermanus Wine Village which stocks the largest collection of South African wine in Southern Africa.
The town of Hermanus was established because it was such an ideal holiday spot over 100 years ago. Today it has a bigger infrastructure and hosts of activities and adventures but still holds all the magic that a seaside holiday destination should. You’ll have a superb holiday in Hermanus.
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