Hermanus Navigation

About Hermanus

Hermanus is a town in the Cape Province of South Africa. Most famous for its whales, Hermanus budget travel holidays remain a firm favourite.

Hermanus Budget Travel

Below is a list of Hermanus's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Great White Shark Cage Diving, Whale Watching - Hermanus

View all activities in Hermanus

Airports

Hermanus airports include:
• Cape Town International Airport

Birdlife

Hermanus bird life is extremely diverse, with a large number of endemic and migratory species to be found across marine, estuarine, mountain, river and coastal habitats. Key birding areas include Fernkloof Reserve which is home to a recorded 100 species, including 5 of the 6 fynbos endemic species of the Western Cape. About 60 species of birds have also been recorded around Hermanus cliff paths.

Conservation

With some of the Cape’s most precious plant, bird and wildlife species, Hermanus conservation efforts aim to protect and preserve a multitude of species. Once a whaling station, the town now offers some of the best ecotourism initiatives to protect the whales which return to its bays each year, and with a number of nature reserves situated within the town and surrounds, the environmental impact is kept as low as possible.

Malaria

Hermanus is a malaria free zone, so you will not have to worry about malaria medication, unless you are planning to travel to a malaria zone in South Africa or to a known malaria zone country in Africa. If you are traveling to a malaria zone after your visit to Hermanus, talk to a local doctor about malaria medication you will need to take.

Money

Hermanus money and banking information includes:
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9h00 ' 15h00, and Saturdays from 8h30-11h30
• ATMs can be found across the entire city, especially within malls or shopping areas
• Online banking can be done at any internet cafe
• Foreign exchange facilities are widely available at malls, airport, hotels and banks
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at almost all shops, hotels and restaurants

Plants

Surrounded by mountain and sea, with varied vegetation spanning from scrub, to heathers, marshes, coastal vegetation, lush gardens, woodland and fynbos, Hermanus plant life offers some of the Cape’s finest floral regions. Hikes and nature walks offer travelers an ideal way to explore Hermanus’ rich ecosystems.

Safety Tips

• Hermanus is generally very safe to visit, with minimal crime or problems
• Sharks can sometimes be present in the sea, so swimmers should be on guard
• Petty crime such as pickpocketing can sometimes occur so keep valuables out of sight and secure in a moneybag under your shirt
• Do not leave valuables in the car when parked
• While it is generally safe to walk around at night, avoid badly lit areas and women especially should try and stay in groups

Travel Books

Hermanus recommended travel books include:
• Village of the sea: The story of Hermanus by Arderne Tredgold
• The Rough Guide to Cape Town and the Garden Route by Tony Pinchuck and Barbara McCrea
• Time Out Cape Town: Winelands and the Garden Route by Time Out
• The Fairest Cape: From the West Coast to the Garden Route by Mark Skinner and Sean Fraser
• Whale Watcher: A Global Guide to Watching Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises in the Wild by Trevor Day

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

When To Go

• Summer is generally mid-October to mid-February
• Autumn is February to April
• Winter is May to July and is wet and cold
• Spring falls between August and October
• Whale season runs from June to October

Wildlife

The most famous of Hermanus wildlife can be found in the blue waters surrounding the town - the Southern Right Whale. These amazing creatures come into to the bay from June to October to breed, offering excellent whale watching opportunities. Wildlife parks such as the Fernkloof Nature Reserve include number of game including leopard, baboon, zebras, springbok, cheetahs, wildebeest, kudu, eland, gemsbok, bontebok and wild dog.

Recent Feedback

Thanks much. I'm really tickled I discovered you folks. Again I say: "you rock!". (To shamelessly borrow your company's response, to some of our initial inquiries.)

— John C. (65) from United States

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Steve our driver... Wow what an amazing, patient driver!!! We felt very very safe with his driving - and on such difficult roads! I couldn't beli...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) Moffat our cook was such a kind, nurturing cook! We called him our chef - or "comrade chef"! He had to deal with 2 vegetarians, 1 vegan who didn'...

— Anne M from South Africa

(East Africa Private Charter Trip) About the crew: These guys were our heroes! First, Kevin our tour leader, was confident, professional, experienced, calm, focused, collaborative...

— Anne M from South Africa

We are back from our trip! *(East Africa Private Charter Trip)* I had to write you and thank you PROFUSELY for all your help in setting up the trip and guiding us on our itinerary....

— Anne M from South Africa

I am planning to travel to Africa within the next 2 months and have reading all the complimentary comments. If it is all true I am keen to be pursuaded your way. Please tell me mo...

— Shirley Miller from United Kingdom

Re Newsletter: This article certainly got my attention and I have saved much of the content. Just to let you know that you are reaching me and that I am paying attention!!! :)

— Ruth from United States

Checked out the Overlanding Africa website the other day - what a fantastic site! Such a shame I didn't find it before I started this trip, has a great design and loads of valuabl...

— Sonya from Australia

I will definitely recommend your services!!

— Perrick from France

Thank you again for making our trip as wonderful as it was

— Rick C. from United States

We spent 4 nights at the Mandela Rhodes Hotel in Cape Town and I highly recommend it!

— Rick C. from United States

The boys and I had an absolutely fantastic time in South Africa. Your country is so beautiful, the folks there so nice and accommodating and the trip you put together for us was s...

— Rick C. from United States

I wanted to go to Africa ever since I can remember and going there last month far exceeded my expectations and then some! Louise was so quick to respond to any query I had and the ...

— Anne B (27) from Ireland

The trip was outstanding. Our two guides Albert and Sydney were superb in every way - interest flora and fauna - amazing organization and as people wonderful to meet. We got to pla...

— Tessa Z from Israel

Thank you for making my booking so easy and for the advice you gave me about my stay in Jo'burg too, it really made the entire experience so much more enjoyable. I've already recom...

— Tamsin C (21) from United Kingdom

I did have a great trip, thank you! I was satisfied with your services on such late notice. You were great and I'm just very pleased that you went the extra mile to get me on this ...

— Rannelle M. (32) from United States

…yes there is something else! Always I ask you a question I get a prompt and useful answer! This is the way I like it! You make things so much easier for me. Can I invite you for...

— Dr. Michael T. (49) from Germany

...it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING"... from start to end we were taken care of and along the way we made more friends.

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

In regard to the trip, it was "ABSOLUTELY AMAZING", and if wasnt for your exceptional service and last minute request from myself, you got me this perfect adventure at my price and...

— Jaz O (40) from United Kingdom

I had the most amazing trip! Absolutely incredible! The crew was so good. I am on a round the world trip and Africa takes the cake so far. I miss it heaps. Thank you for all your h...

— John R (24) from Australia

Go to all feedback