Activities in and around Hermanus

Explore the stunning coastline and marine life up close with a sea kayaking tour. Led by an experienced guide, visitors can glide through the sparkling water while taking in the majestic mountain, sea cliffs, and wildlife. The tour departs from the historic Old Harbour for a round trip, direction dependent on winds, swells, and paddling abilities. The tour operates in a Marine Reserve where whales are protected, and sightings of seals, penguins, and cormorants are guaranteed. Perception Tribe sea kayaks are provided, and the tour guides are qualified in marine guiding and first aid at sea. The tour lasts for 2 hours, and no prior kayaking experience is necessary.

The paved cliff path runs from the New Harbour, to the Klein River mouth, and covers about 12kms. This lush, green area is surrounded by shrubs and fynbos and the home to many interesting creatures like lizards, dassies and birds. Dave & I love to walk to Grotto Beach, have lunch at Dutchies and get the taxi home. The walk from our guest house to Grotto is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. We’ve seen many whales, dolphins and seals on this hike. At the end of our road is Ficks Pool/restaurant & bar. This a perfect spot for a quick stop on the way there or back, to have a cocktail and take in the awesome seaview.

Take your bike riding to a new level with our Fatbikes, boasting super-wide tires and providing the ultimate ride. Starting near the Grootbos nature reserve, the trail takes you on a narrow sandy horse trail through the Fynbos and down to the top of the Sand Dunes. The downhill section will have you picking up speed before you reach the top of the first vertical dune face. After a briefing on how to ride down the dune, you can choose to ride down the face or go around the side where the slope is gentler. The guide will be at the bottom, videoing your challenges, and teaching you how to slalom. The ride ends with a 4×4 trail down to the beach and a ride back up to the car park. The tour includes transport to the dunes, a guided tour, fat bike rental, hi-res photos of the tour, protective gear, and light refreshments.

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is a vineyard and winery located in the Walker Bay wine region, near Hermanus, South Africa. The estate covers over 70 hectares of land and produces a variety of award-winning wines, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visitors can enjoy a variety of wine-tasting experiences, food and wine pairings, a restaurant, and a deli. The estate overlooks the Bot River Lagoon, with a boardwalk winding its way through the vineyards. Outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, fishing, and a 9-hole golf/putt putt course.

Eco Cruises depart daily from Hermanus’ New Harbour, offering a relaxing and informative tour of the coastline. With the option of motor or sail (depending on weather conditions), the crew provides educational talks on the historical sites passed and Hermanus. Visitors can enjoy sightings of Cape Fur Seals and African Penguins throughout the year, while dolphins and Bryde’s Whales may also appear. The 90-minute cruise is ideal for families and couples, with blankets and drinks available. The licensed vessel follows South African Maritime Safety Authority regulations for guest and crew safety.

Our locally endemic Cape Whale Coast abalone, Haliotis Midae, is a well-known delicacy in Asian restaurants. This stretch of coastline is considered the “heart” of abalone habitat.

Join our guided abalone farm tours at the Heart Shed venue, followed by a walk to one of the largest and oldest abalone farms in South Africa, Abagold, located at the New Harbour of Hermanus. During the tour, you will witness firsthand the impressive technical infrastructure required to keep 16,000,000 abalone healthy and happily housed in their 40,000 baskets for almost five years until they reach a marketable “cocktail size” of about 250 grams. You’ll also have the opportunity to view the construction of South Africa’s first-ever wave energy converter.

After the tour, satisfy your appetite with a tasting platter to experience the deliciousness of abalone.

Learn to Kitesurf with the help of our professionally trained IKO kitesurfing instructor who provides all necessary equipment, including the kite, kite control bar, kiteboard, and wetsuit. You only need to bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, swimming costume, and water, and the instructor will take care of the rest. Our one-on-one instruction using Bluetooth headsets ensures you learn the safest and best way to kitesurf during the 2-hour lesson. For those already experienced, we offer rental equipment for half-day or full-day use. Rentals range from a complete KITESURFING set to just a board or kite.

Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, situated near Stanford, South Africa, is a unique wildlife sanctuary founded in 2014 by Lizaene Cornwall and Cathrine Nyquist. The sanctuary is home to lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs that have been rescued from abusive situations or orphaned. Panthera Africa offers guided tours, during which visitors learn about the individual stories of each big cat and the challenges facing these animals in the wild. Visitors can participate in an enrichment program and enjoy overnight stays, yoga classes, and meditation sessions. Panthera Africa works closely with local communities to promote sustainable tourism and environmental awareness.

Sandboarding, an exciting recreational activity similar to snowboarding, is enjoyed on large sand dunes instead of snow-covered mountains. Betty’s Bay, close to Cape Town, is home to one of Africa’s highest commercial sandboarding dunes. Guides offer training and safety tips, making it perfect for individuals, larger groups, or team-building events.

Beginners start with a smaller section and progress to higher levels as their skills improve. Participants can stand or sit on the sandboard while descending the dune. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended, and sunscreen and water are essential during summer sessions. Each session lasts approximately two hours.

Rain may affect sandboarding, so check with the operator on the day of your booking. If the weather is bad, you can reschedule or receive a refund.

Join Ocean Quest’s daily 2-tank guided dive trip aboard their 36ft sailing catamaran, weather permitting. The first dive explores local reefs, abundant with coral and fish life, and sometimes curious seals. Afterward, enjoy refreshments while the boat moves to the second dive site in a shallow kelp forest, offering safe anchorage for the boat. Encounter macro life and small shark species like pyjama and shy shark, all while receiving personalized attention in a maximum group of six divers.

Skydiving in Cape Town offers a thrilling and unforgettable experience. The jump takes place from an altitude of around 9,000 feet, providing spectacular views of the Mother City and surrounding areas. After a 20-minute scenic flight, you will be securely harnessed to your experienced tandem instructor before taking the leap of faith. The freefall lasts for approximately 30 seconds, reaching speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, before the parachute is deployed for a gentle descent back to earth. With highly trained instructors and state-of-the-art equipment, skydiving in Cape Town is a safe and exhilarating adventure for adrenaline junkies.

Discover Hermanus’ stunning wine valley, home to 22 wineries, 15 tasting rooms, over 120 award-winning wines, and 5 fantastic lunchtime restaurants amidst breathtaking mountainous scenery. Experience some of the best food & wine pairings in the Cape. Take a wine tour in an air-conditioned minibus with an accredited Cape Wine Academy Tour Guide, or let the Wine Hopper pick you up from our guest house. Full day wine tours run every day. Reservations for lunch are required.