Activities
THINGS TO DO
Experiences
Whale Watching
Hermanus is one of the twelve best whale viewing sites in the world, and because of the setting it’s ideal for land based whale watching. From June till the end of November there are Southern Right whales in the bay and a walk along our beautiful 15 kilometer stretch of cliff path will be all you need to understand why we have registered that claim.
The paths are literally a 2 minute walk from Penguino Guesthouse, they wind their way along the magnificent shoreline along the rocky outcrops. The best time to view whales is from August to the end of October, when you are guaranteed spectacular displays. The whales calve in August and September, and the population peaks in October.
Golf
Hermanus sports a challenging 27 hole golf course. In 2006, the Hermanus Golf Course has underwent a major overhaul with the introduction of nine new holes, based around a new real estate component. Previously the golf course had a gentle country layout which has been replaced with more modern classically designed holes, that have added much to both the visual and challenging aspects of the course, without losing any sense of its former tradition.
The Arabella Golf Course in South Africa is ranked by Complete Golfer magazine as the number one golf course in the Western Cape. It is also featured in Golf Digest’s USA’s Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007. This golf course is a mere 25km scenic drive from Penguino Guesthouse.
Beaches
There are many fantastic beaches in and around Hermanus, all with in a 10 minute drive away from Penguino guesthouse. Just down the road towards Voëlklip is the Blue Flag beach, Grotto. South Africa was the first country outside Europe to win Blue Flag accreditation for some of its beaches. A section of Grotto Beach offers bathers/swimmers standard international facilities that include lifesavers, security guards and spotless cloakrooms.
Grotto beach literally stretches for kilometers making it ideal for those wanting to take a long walk. From Grotto you can walk to the mouth of the lagoon, which is closed for part of the year depending on water levels.
Old Harbour Museum
The Old Harbour Museum began in 1972, with the first official curator, Mr Guy Clark, being appointed in 1973. Once the repairs had been completed, old fishing boats were repainted and placed on display outside whilst the indoor museum was still being planned and built.
Finally it was built on the slopes of the Old Harbour, where you would have once found fishing shacks from the earlier days of Hermanus. The present museum is made up of two sections: the Historical Old Fishing Harbour and Fisherman’s Village.
OTHER
Activities
Cage diving with great white sharks in the aptly named “Shark Alley”, near the fishing village of Gansbaai, South Africa, is an absolute must for adrenaline junkies!
Once a lookout point to watch for fishermen sailing into the harbour, Gearing’s Point is now one of the must-see spots in Hermanus for its incredible whale-watching opportunities.
Partaking in the abundance of water-sports, such as sea-kayaking, yachting, surfing, fishing and SCUBA diving.
For an equine experience that’s as exhilarating as it is exquisite, head to Pearly Beach. As you trot alongside the bluest sea on the finest white sand, your guide Sarah Coronaios (owner of Gansbaai & Pearly Beach Horse Trails) will accompany you, while her husband, Kos, captures the moment photographically and on drone video.
Situated above Hermanus in the Western Cape, the Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a striking natural oasis and proud to host six of the seven endemic plant families specific to the Cape Floral Kingdom.
A mere three kilometres from the idyllic De Kelders fishing village is the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, home to Klipgat Cave and its limestone windows looking out onto stunning ocean views.