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.

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