Activities and Adventures

The guesthouse is within a 5-minute walk from most of the restaurants, shopping centre and major banks in the Central Business Area. Here you will also find the Waterfront Area and the popular Cliff Path with its spectacular land-based whale watching sightings.

This easily accessible accommodation in Hermanus is the perfect location from where to embark on adventures and activities for short stays or longer holidays.

Golfer performs a golf shot from the fairway. Sunny summer day.
Image from Shark Shootout, 2013. An underwater photo event hosted by Stephen Frink and Stuart Cove on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama. During the event the underwater photographers are presented the opportunity of getting close to the sharks by the intentionally staged shark feeding dives. The shark feeders are protected within the confines of a shark cage.,Shark Cage Offers Protection.
All Year Long Active Mountain Biker. Fall Foliage Landscape. Bike Ride.
A group of humpback whales swimming in the waters of Monterey bay, California

Indoor Activities

  • Visit the Old Harbour Open-Air Museum in the centre of town to see the displays of the fishing history of the town.
    The Whale Museum boasts with a collection of photos, a timeline, and artefacts of the 3 whale and the dolphin species that frequent our waters.
  • Photo Museum in Hermanus: To be whisked into yesteryear, visitors to the Western Cape are invited to explore the old-world charm of the De Wet’s Huis Photo Museum.
  • Strandveld Museum is located on the waters’ edge in Franskraal, Gansbaai. Artefacts from shipwrecks along the coast, Dyer Island and Gansbaai. Visits are by appointment.
  • The Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp is the only one of its kind in the country. The museum is filled with artefacts, photos and recreated displays of most of the shipwrecks that stranded around the Cape whale coast.
  • Danger Point Lighthouse was erected after the Birkenhead stranded in 1852. This lighthouse is open for visitors during the week. A plaque with a groove that lines up with the actual wreck site was erected from where the “Birkenhead Rock” is visible on foul weather days.
  • The Agulhas Lighthouse in Struisbaai displays an extensive collection of lighthouse opticals. Climb the360 degree view from the top.

The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary is a rehabilitation centre in Kleinbaai for injured seabirds. Marine biologists feed the birds at 4 pm every day, which is quite fascinating. The curio shop is well-stocked and the home baked cake that compliments the freshly brewed coffee makes APSS worth a visit. Open daily. Free WiFi.

Artists, art routes and art galleries scattered on the whole route, make this area an exceptional culture hub where every town, without exception, inspire and intrigue.
Baardskeerders Bos Art Route is a quarterly event that stretches over a whole weekend. Follow a route to in-house exhibitions by resident artists.

Hermanus, Gansbaai, Stanford & Kleinmond/Hangklip, Pringle bay are bookworm goldmines. Various old and quality second-hand bookshop covers stock rare and antiquity books, travel, history, cooking, natural history and non-fiction by all popular authors.

Visit the wine cellars of the Cape Whale Coast Route

  • Botriver Wine route in the Kleinmond area
  • Hermanus Wine Route in the Hemel n Aarde Valley
  • Stanford Wine Route in and around Stanford
  • Elim Wine Route is the most southerly wine route between Stanford and Agulhas

Visit the Kleinrivier Cheese Farm near Stanford and sample some of their award-winning, locally produced, home-made cheeses. The cheese shop offers the opportunity to buy some of the huge variety of their cheeses. For the kids, there is a petting farm and on offer is also a restaurant and picnic baskets in season.

Restaurants, Coffee shops, Deli’s. This area is firmly established on the Epicurean map with its myriad of restaurants, fine wine, fresh vegetables, cheese and fish…

Outdoor Activities

All along the Cape Whale coastline from June to December

  • Boat-based whale watching (June to Dec) – In season five permit holding boats launch three times per day from Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinbaai Harbour.
  • Whale watching from the air. – Plane whale watching trips are offered by a local operator as well as helicopter trips from Cape Town.
  • Whale Crier – Hermanus boasts the world’s only whale crier. Listen for the kelp horn blow to indicate where you can watch the whales on land.
  •  Fishing charters launch from the harbours in Hermanus and Gansbaai. By appointment only. Weather depending.

Choose one of the qualified companies in Hermanus and Gansbaai who offer scuba diving trips. Companies provide bottles. You will need experience for these dives.

  • Scuba Diving and snorkeling trips can be undertaken from a luxury catamaran launching from Hermanus Harbour. Reef dives as well as shallow snorkel trips. Catered or uncatered.

Daily trips from Gansbaai and Hermanus. Extremely weather depending

 Voëlklip, Grotto, De Kelders, Die Plaat, Gansbaai, Danger Point and Kleinmond all boast famous surfer waves! all popular authors.

Swimming, Sun Bathing and or hiking – Safe swimming at numerous sandy beaches all along the whale coast. Blue Flag status on 3 of the beaches in the area. authors.

All around the coast but best to ask the local fishing companies for the best spots according to your preference. Permits are required and can be obtained from the local post office.

Visit the wine c trips from Kleinbaai harbour to Dyer Island & Shark Alley! – The only place in the world from where you have the possibility to see the full Marine Big 5; seals, sharks, whales, dolphins, and penguins, – all on one trip.

 Mountainous, beach and forest habitats offer trails for cycle enthusiasts; from beginners to serious professionals.

 

 The Cape Whale Coast lies in the heart of the world’s smallest floral kingdom; The Fynbos Floral Kingdom. Various hiking routes trail through these habitats. Stunning panoramic views!

  • Coastal walks: The very popular Fynbos Cliff Path in Hermanus as well as the Gansbaai Duiwelsgat Route both hug the coast offering excellent whale watching sightings in season).
  • Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus.
  • Kleinmond: Harold Porter Botanical Gardens Kogelberg Biosphere.
  • Gansbaai: Platbos, Grootbos, The Fynbos Trail that stretches over a number of farms.
  • Beach hiking trails undertaken on Die Plaat, Gansbaai.

 

 

 Stanford, Gansbaai, Hermanus offers horse riding on the beach and mountains

  • Arabella ( Kleinmond) offers horse riding on the beach as well as the lagoon where you might encounter the famous wild horses.

World Class golf courses in Hermanus and Arabella Golf Courses

  • The Hermanus Golf Club has become one of the most popular golf courses in the country – a definite ‘must play’ course.
  • The Arabella Country Estate, near Kleinmond, is home to one of the top-ranked golf courses in South Africa, with pristine grass, tricky sand traps and challenging water hazards on the golf estate.

A birders’ paradise! Sea-, shore-, fynbos-, as well as garden birding. Pelagic bird trips also available in Gansbaai.

A birdAdventure trails through vineyards, mountain, on the beach.