The Marine

Famous for whale watching, beaches and nature, as well as its food and wine, Hermanus really is a destination that ticks all the boxes: its palpable history, thriving art scene, boutique shopping and busy programme of festivals, concerts and events.

The Marine has been a part of Hermanus’ history almost from the very beginning.

The hotel was first built in 1902, with a modest 21 rooms.

In its fledging years, Hermanus was a fishing village, and this heritage is still very much in evidence.

Spend a day uncovering the history of this beautiful coastal town.

Museums are all within easy walking distance of The Marine, so you can explore the town on foot at the same time.

The Old Harbour Museum is situated in the Old Harbour, at the centre of the town.

There, you’ll discover exhibits depicting the history of the fishing and whaling industry in the area, among many other fascinating displays.

In the Whale Museum there is a daily audiovisual presentation called The Whale Show, where you can go “below the surface” and enjoy an encounter with southern right whales.

Then go on a journey into the town’s past through a collection of sepia photographs portraying Hermanus from the time it was a quaint fishing village, at De Wet’s Photo Museum.

Hermanus also has a wealth of contemporary art galleries, and some must-visits include Abalone Art Gallery, Walker Bay Art Gallery, Rossouw Modern Art Gallery, Old Harbour Gallery and Lembu Studio and Gallery.

To see unique pieces by acclaimed African ceramists Ardmore, guests and locals alike can visit The Marine’s boutique to view some selected artworks.

For written masterpieces, Hemingway’s Bookshop in the centre of town is a treasure trove for bibliophiles, and specialises in Africana, antiquarian, collectables, and any unusual and often out-of-print books.

There are many events and festivals throughout the year.

Some highlights are the Hermanus Fynarts Festival, the Fernkloof Wildflower & Eco Fair and the famous Two Oceans Hermanus Whale Festival, which is held in celebration of our annual marine visitors, the southern right whales.

The whales stay for approximately six months of the year, and guests can enjoy the sight of them frolicking in Walker Bay from the comfort of their own suites, as well as along the cliff paths that meander in front of The Marine.

This special time can be enjoyed in a number of other ways, too, from boat-based tours to guided walks.

For an interactive experience, visitors should try Dave de Beer’s Whale Walk Tours, which encompass beautiful vantage points for whale watching, as well as insights about these marine creatures.

The Overberg is an area of natural contrasts, from the deep green apple orchards of Elgin to the sweeping canola fields of Caledon, and the rugged mountainous coast of Hermanus, where marine life flourishes.

The natural surroundings are at once diverse and awe-inspiring – and lovers of the outdoors are spoilt for choice with activities.

Hermanus is synonymous with land-based whale watching, and guests of The Marine can enjoy this pastime from the comfort of their own suites, or on a cliff walk in front of the hotel.

Feeling a bit more adventurous?

Then take to the seas, with kayaking or boat tours that will take you right up close to the southern right whales.

Or get a bird’s-eye view of the gentle giants with a scenic flight over Walker Bay.

The southern right whale makes up part of the Marine Big 5!

The rich waters of Walker Bay teem with marine life, and a visit to The Marine means you can tick off the Big 5 during your stay.

Spy dolphins and seals frolicking in the water, go cage-diving to see great white sharks, and see the African penguin in its natural habitat with a tour at Stony Point.

Additionally, just below The Marine is Hermanus’ iconic marine tidal pool.

To access the seawater pool, simply walk down from the cliff path onto steps leading directly to it.

Offering fresh, bracing ocean water packed with micronutrients, as well as mesmerising views, it’s an experience the whole family can enjoy.

The beaches of Hermanus are white-sand playgrounds for avid swimmers, surfers and sunbathers.

There are a variety of inlets and coves, as well as secluded beaches against coastal cliffs; a must-visit is Grotto Beach, which has Blue Flag status.

There are also trails for horse riding on certain beaches, as well as within the area’s vineyards and orchards.

No trip to Hermanus is complete without a visit to Fernkloof Nature Reserve, unique in that it is the only such reserve with both coastal and mountain fynbos, and has the most species in close proximity.

Botanists and flower enthusiasts travel from far and wide to experience the magic of this place, and locals delight in the diverse beauty of their “backyard”.

Fernkloof is also popular with picnickers and hikers.

Do you relish the opportunity to practise your swing while on holiday?

Hermanus has an easily accessible golf course, in the most scenic of settings, and there are other courses in the region to explore.

The Overberg region is a birder’s paradise, too, offering twitchers the opportunity to identify endemic bird species in fynbos, coastal and wheat field habitats.

Enjoy a once in a life time encounter with the peaceful giants of the sea, the Southern Right whale, by joining us on a fun filled whale watching cruise in Hermanus, South Africa, that will fill you with awe.

July to December, daily at 9am, 12pm or 3pm, weather dependent.

Mid December to mid January, we run a daily sun-downer cruise at 6pm.

Our beloved Southern Right Whale.

Watching these beautiful creatures in Hermanus, South Africa, is an absolute delight.

The total population numbers of the southern right whale are thought to be around ten thousand individuals.

By studying populations found in South Africa, South American, and Australian waters, it has been found that these populations do not interbreed often.

This is due to a mother’s choice to remain loyal to past breeding areas, and young females are able to choose this loyalty when they are able to breed.

Explore the magic of our unique coastline with its abundant marine life up close and personal on one of our stable kayaks in the company of an experienced guide.

Glide across sparkling Hermanus water in a sea kayak while enjoying a view of the majestic mountain, sea cliffs and marine life.

Before your Hermanus kayaking trip, you will have a short enjoyable briefing on sea kayaking techniques and safety, whereafter we paddle from the historical Hermanus Old Harbour and do a 90 minute round trip.

The direction of your Hermanus Kayaking trip, dependant on winds, swells and paddling abilities.

A knowledgeable guide shall open up the wonders of the Hermanus ocean to you, as we explore the beautiful natural surroundings.

Our ecologically friendly operators strive to have as little impact on the environment, in which we operate our Hermanus Kayaking tours, as possible.

With minimal noise pollution and no environmental pollution they also do regular clean ups of any rubbish found in the Bay.

Don’t worry, that’s not what you will do.

Perception Tribe sea kayaks that are manufactured in the UK are used on top self-bailing, plastic sea kayaks.

In short this means that anyone, whether they have been sea kayaking before or not, can hop on and stay on.

The guides are qualified in marine guiding and first aid at sea, but more importantly they love this job and hold great knowledge of the sea.

As we give you an adventure from the skies hanging over the African plains.

African Wings flying safaris is the brainchild of brothers Evan and Dave Austin.

We know how challenging it can be for some to take the time off from their lives to experience the wonders of the bush that’s why we have a variety of one-day trips.

From the migrating herds of Antelope to the giant whales of the open sea, all can be experienced through African Wings.

We cater for all tastes.

Our flights include breakfast, lunch and a game drive where you might be lucky enough to see the big five and other wild animals that roam these lands.

Before each safari, you will be advised on the relevant matters regarding health, local conditions, clothing requirements or discuss any special requirements you or your group may have.

Enjoy looking through our website and please contact us if you would like to receive more information.

The Blue Flag Grotto Beach is well known for its massive stretch of stunning sandy beach and ocean.

It is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike and boasts a view of the mountainous areas behind whilst still having a seemingly unending view of the beach.

This beach is perfect for swimming, suntanning, games and long, leisurely walks and with ample parking it is the ideal holiday point for many.

The beach itself stretches for almost 18 km, making the walk an exercise but an enjoyable one.

The beach starts at Grotto’s Blue Flag beach and ends at the seaside hamlet of De Kelders.

Also, because of the massive expanse of beach, during peak seasons there is no fear of being trodden on, having sand kicked onto you from a passing crowd or being hit by a volleyball from one of the many games played there.

The waves on Grotto Beach are great for the avid body boarder and the waters warm during the Summer months and, again, there is plenty of space for all of the holiday goers. There is also a park for children to busy themselves on, which is situated on the beach, near the parking lot.

It is as relaxing as it is beautiful and definitely deserves its Blue Flag status.

Also, for those who own pets, the beach is dog friendly, as long as the dogs are on leads and any and all waste matter is picked up by the owner.

The beach can be reached by driving through Hermanus and turning off onto the demarcated road to your right.

You will also find a fantastic little restaurant at Grotto that offers drinks, snacks and meals for the passers by or the evening relaxers.

Lifeguards are constantly on site during peak seasons and numerous educational and charity events happen during season.

These include Coastcare Working, environmental education for the viewers, coastal monitoring by schools and the Adopt-a-beach initiative.

The horse trails in and around the area offer beautiful and scenic trails that give riders a chance to experience the Overberg on horseback.

Most of the service providers have horses for all riding levels – from novice to experienced – ensuring that the experience is enjoyable for everyone involved.

There is also a quick safety briefing and overview of horse riding so that riders know how to handle climbs and rough terrain descents.

The trails can take riders through mountain passes, vineyards and orchards, ending with a picnic beside a waterfall, or there are several coastal trails that trek along perfect sandy shores with the Kleinrivier Mountains as a backdrop during the trip.

For the less experienced riders (and younger children), there are shorter rides that encompass beautiful landscapes but have very easy-to-navigate trails.

Hermanus, on the Cape South Coast, is a charming fishing village famous for the whales that come here annually to calve.

With its unparalleled scenic beauty, modern infrastructure, upmarket shops and endless adventure options, it’s little wonder that Hermanus has grown in size and popularity during the last decade.

Visitors from near and far flock to the town to enjoy its many charms while local residents and homeowners savour the privilege of living in this unique region.

It is extremely popular with Capetonians as a weekend getaway and during the Christmas and Easter holidays the resident population swells dramatically.

Due to this influx, the Hermanus Golf Club has always experienced heavy traffic at certain times of the year.

Despite this, the club, blessed with a dedicated and professional management has over many years deservedly gained a reputation for excellent year round standards.

Visitors to Hermanus are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to boating and river cruises.

Boat based whale watching trips take place during the whale season months of June to December; however this may vary depending on the arrival of the whales.

Whale watching boat trips depart from the New Harbour in Hermanus and 3 boat trips per day are usually available.

The duration of these trips are approximately 2 hours long, however the exact departure times need to be confirmed with the various operators when booking.

Other marine life that may be encountered en route include seals, penguins, marine birds, Southern Right whales, sometimes Bryde’s whales, dolphins and Humpback whales at certain times of the year.

Licensed operators and permit holders are only permitted to approach the whales up to 50m allowing the whales the freedom to move.

They are naturally curious and often approach the whaleboats to take a closer look.

Pre-booking is recommended and all boat trips are weather permitting. Bay Cruises and Sundowner Cruises are also available at certain times of the year.

For those who love penguins, the breeding grounds of the African (or Jackass) Penguins at Stony Point is the perfect place to watch these adorable and somewhat comical birds in their natural habitat.

The wooden walkway winds its way around the edge of the breeding area, giving visitors a view of the rocky outcrops and swimming penguins on one side and the shrubbery and nests on the other.

The best time to view the penguins is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when they’re returning from their long fishing expeditions.

This area is one of only two shore-based breeding colonies in the country, with the other being at the Boulders Beach near Simonstown.

Along the coast at Stony Point, visitors will also be able to watch the endangered Whitebreasted, Black and Cape Cormorants that have made this area their home.

They are known to nest along the rocks, leaving the land to the penguins.

Although the breeding colony is now fenced off it can still be visited daily from 09h00 in the morning until 17h00 in the afternoon.

The Harold Porter Botanical Gardens offers you 200ha of the finely bushed plants endemic to this area, known as fynbos, 190ha growing naturally and the rest cultivated.

These botanical gardens, located near Hermanus, lie within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa’s first UNESCO-proclaimed biosphere reserve.

The vivid Disa uniflora is one of many rare plants featured in these gardens, and to experience it when it is in bloom, make sure you visit the gardens between December and January.

You should also not miss South Africa’s national flower, the King protea, which blooms in spring.

There are over 100 species of birds to be spotted in these botanical gardens, including colourful sunbirds, rare Protea seedeaters, Verreaux’s eagles and Jackal buzzards.

Also look out for the resident mongooses, baboons, genets and porcupines.

Venture along the many natural trails that snake across the gardens for beautiful displays of Cape fynbos, and enjoy the experience against the backdrop of the area’s majestic mountains.

Listen to the grunting calls of baboons and watch them play, jumping from tree to tree and basking in this pristine natural setting.

Summertime will welcome you with open-air concerts at sunset, so make sure you join in the celebrations.

Don’t forget to visit the garden’s small but excellent art gallery and then wrap up your visit with a meal at the restaurant or stretch out on the lush grass for a picnic.

Old Harbour Museum
The Museum in the Old Harbour contains several exhibits depicting the history of the fishing and whaling industry in the area.

Talks by local experts on the inter-tidal zone are held on request and provide fascinating information about the mysteries that abound on the shoreline.

The museum’s staff update the history of Hermanus on an ongoing basis so anyone researching information on historical buildings or old local families, has easy access to it.

Funds for the museum are always needed and anyone who wishes to donate will automatically become a friend of the Old Harbour Museum.

The telescope next to the war memorial cannons above the Old Harbour was donated to the town by the Rotary Club and a few coins can buy time to watch the whales frolicking in the middle of the bay.

Many guided tours and walks start from this spot.

Whale Museum
Daily at 10:00 and 15:00 an audio-visual presentation is given at the Whale Museum, where one is taken below the surface to a face-to-face encounter with the visiting Southern Right whales.

De Wet’s Photo Museum
This picturesque and historic cottage was once the school house situated near the Dutch Reformed church in Westcliff.

It was dismantled brick by numbered brick and painstakingly re-erected on Lemm’s Corner in 1986.

The sepia-coloured photographic exhibition it houses takes one on a journey through time to when Hermanus was a quaint fishing village.

Hermanus Story Walk
Guided walking tours can be take through the once quaint village where the history of Hermanus unfolds itself as one discovers the fresh water spring which was named after the shepherd, Hermanus Pieters, where Hermanus originally got its name, Hermanuspietersfontein, to the Old Harbour, the Burgundy Restaurant (our only registered national monument) to the old school house and fishermen’s cottages on the seafront among many other interesting buildings.

Local galleries are filled with local art and some artists display their work at local flea and craft markets.

The area does not only abound with painters but also with writers, ceramicists, architects, sculptors and glassblowers.

Hermanus also has an active Art Society.

Amble through the art galleries in Hermanus and view Oil paintings, prints, watercolours, wooden sculptures and much more with well-known artists such as Hennie Niemann, Shelley-Adams, and Terry Kobus to mention but a few.

Dust off the binoculars and enjoy the natural birdlife from Bird Hide on Klein River Lagoon further bird watching can also be done on Onrus Salt Pan.

Birdwatching is a popular activity in all areas of South Africa, and birdwatching tours are offered in most areas.

Enjoy Birding in and around Hermanus.