Activities in and around Hermanus

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.

Cape Sidecar Adventures is a unique and exciting way to explore Cape Town. The company offers guided tours on vintage sidecar motorcycles, allowing visitors to see the city’s top sights in style and comfort. The tours range from short rides around the city to full-day excursions that take in the stunning coastline and surrounding countryside. Along the way, visitors can learn about the history and culture of Cape Town from knowledgeable guides. Cape Sidecar Adventures also offers tailor-made tours for those who want to create their own itinerary. The experience is unforgettable, offering a thrilling and immersive way to discover the beauty and charm of Cape Town.

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.

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.

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.

The Quad Bike Trail in Hermanus is a top-rated adventure trail in South Africa, featured in movies, commercials, and travel agent itineraries. You don’t need prior experience as experienced guides lead you through an easy to moderate Fynbos farm trail for an unforgettable experience. Start from the base camp and enjoy a scenic drive on new bikes, passing the Honingklip Dam and gradually ascending up the mountains with some of the best views on the trail. Follow safe distance and speed limits and undergo a short safety drive for comfort on the longer trail ahead. Capture the panoramic views of the entire bay and Botriver Lagoon on this must-do adventure!

Did you know the South African National Space Agency is located in Hermanus?

If you want to learn more, visit us for a public tour on Wednesdays at 11:00.

The tour includes a stop at the Space Weather Centre, the SANSA Data and Engineering unit, the magnetically clean environment and the Science Centre.

Tours are free of charge, but places are limited so please book your spot at 028 312 1196.

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 Great White Shark, or Carcharodon Carcharias, is notorious as the most terrifying creature on Earth. Its sleek body enables it to navigate effortlessly through the ocean. The shark cage diving company offers customers the chance to book an adventure and witness these creatures up close. After meeting at their base in Kleinbaai, customers enjoy a continental breakfast and board the custom-built “Shark Team” catamaran. Accommodating 20 passengers and crew, the vessel includes a paramedic, dive master, and guides. Customers are briefed on procedures and chumming begins to attract sharks. Customers dive for 20 minutes at a time. Warm up with hot soup and bread after the trip. The company provides all necessary diving and safety equipment, and no experience is required. Customers should bring swimsuits, sun protection, warm jackets, and sensible shoes. Anti-seasick tablets may be a good idea the night before and on the morning of the trip.

Book through us for a discounted rate!

Boat-based tours in Hermanus provide one of the best ways to witness the migration of Southern Right Whales in their natural environment. Departing from New Harbour, the purpose-built catamaran allows visitors to approach whales up to 50 meters away. A whale specialist guide accompanies each tour, and light refreshments are included. Visitors can take home souvenir DVDs of the trip. Weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and sea-sickness tablets are recommended. Trip duration can vary from 1.5 to 3 hours, with 20 minutes spent with each pod of whales. Daily departures are scheduled at 09h00, 12h00, and 15h00 from June/July to early December, weather permitting.