10 Reasons the Southern Overberg is Hot Right Now
The scent of fynbos drifts seductively through this natural adventure playground. Fynbos is having more than a moment! The world has just woken up to the Cape Floral Kingdom after South Africa’s stunning display scooped gold at the Chelsea Flower Show (plus Best in the Pavilion and Best New Design). Suddenly Time magazine is shining the spotlight on something South Africans have been quietly enjoying all our lives: the scent of fynbos infused into our childhood memories. It’s time to rediscover our hottest property… and the southern stretch of the Overberg...
Hidden Hermanus
The Hermanus cliff path hugs the coastline and overlooks the blue belly of whaleplayground Walker Bay, above. Picture SUPPLIED Sive Mbizo has the best job in the world. So he says, anyway. Standing on the edge of Hermanus, looking at the pretty coastal path that wanders seemingly all the way to Gansbaai in the distance, and the cliffs that drop off to the wide blue belly of Walker Bay inbetween, it's hard to quibble. For six months of the year, this is his office. His role? To scan the sea for...
A Creative Revolution
I last spent meaningful time in Hermanus almost 11 years ago. At the time, it was a quaint little town South Africans ventured to for brief breakaways, and the rest of the world flocked to off the back of decent tourism marketing. It offered good food, sea and some of the best whale watching on the planet around this time of year. This Hermanus is different. It is a worldclass destination populated by impossibly gifted creatives and entrepreneurs who've created a broad swathe of dope stuff. I'd imagine the Mona Lisa...
Hermanus’s iconic cliff path in need of completion
The cliff path project was initiated some seven years ago by a group of Hermanus volunteers who came together as the Cliff Path Action Group (CPAG) to provide public access to the coastline there and aims to connect the two parts of the existing cliff path, thereby avoiding the detour on the narrow sidewalk of the busiest road in town. Lester Kiewit speaks to Johan de Waal, founder of the Cliff Path Action Group. Click here to listen to the Podcast ...
Western Cape beach ranked as one of the world’s finest
Condé Nast Traveller has named Die Plaat Beach near Hermanus on their list of ‘The Best Beaches in the World’. Markedly, it is the only beach in South Africa to be recognised among a list of 34 beaches worldwide. WHERE IS DIE PLAAT BEACH LOCATED? Die Plaat Beach is a CapeNature beach within Walker Bay Nature Reserve near Hermanus in the Overberg district of the Western Cape. CapeNature is very proud of the recognition that highlights the beach’s natural beauty and unique features. The beach stretches 17km and offers rich biodiversity, historical significance, and also beautiful...
Four whale-watching spots to visit in the Western Cape
With whale-watching season now in full swing, here’s where you can watch these great creatures in the Western Cape… The Western Cape’s coastline offers some of the most spectacular whale-watching opportunities in the world. Here are four of the best Western Cape spots to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. 1. HERMANUS Hermanus is renowned as one of the premier whale-watching destinations globally. Situated along the southern coast, charming Hermanus is known for its close shore proximity to whales, particularly southern right whales from June to November. The town’s Cliff Path, a 12-kilometer-long...
SATSA announces ‘This is Us’: A story-driven conference
SATSA has announced its 2024 conference, “This is Us”, to be held from August 14 to 16 at the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa in Hermanus. Departing from traditional formats, this year's event will embrace an 'un-conference' approach, focusing on the transformative power of storytelling in the tourism industry. At the heart of “This is Us” lies a simple yet profound question: “Remember the last time a story truly moved you?” SATSA believes that impactful narratives, be they tales of resilience from local communities or innovative approaches that have transformed tourism...
Whale Of A Rescue: Gentle Giant Freed After Being Stuck In Fishing Line Off Hermanus Coast [Video]
Did you know the Western Cape has an official team of rescuers dedicated to freeing whales (and possibly other large ocean creatures) ensnared in fishing gear? These marine heroes are called The SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN). On Friday, June 28, the SAWDN was called to duty after calls of a distressed whale entangled in a fishing line off-shore of Walker Bay, Hermanus, was reported. The local whale charter vessel Miroscha was monitoring the whale from a safe distance, noting how it was entangled in a fishing line around its tail. Miroscha remained...
Get your Ficks of flavour: Dive into Hermanus’s seaside restaurant
Perched on the rugged cliffs overlooking a historic tidal pool, Hermanus’s seaside restaurant, Ficks, beckons as a rare culinary gem, where each visit promises to win over diners with the charm of its small coastal town. Ficks is just a quick two-minute drive from the Hermanus Waterfront. The restaurant is tucked away, with its entrance subtly peeking out from the roadside. Descend a broad stone staircase to discover a tidal pool embraced by wooden decks tracing the curves of the cliffs. For accessibility, a ramp connects the car park to the decks,...
Memorable hike marks 80 years
“The aim of the walk was to spend time with my three children – Sally from New Zealand, Tim from Australia and Andrew from Hermanus. We had last been together five years ago at my late husband’s funeral in June 2019. This was a joyful reunion.” So said Barbara Stuart who completed the Hermanus Camino for her 80th birthday. “The experience was wonderful. The team – Jack, Shaun and Victor – went out of its way to make each day memorable. As guides they were experienced, empathetic, knowledgeable and fun. We walked,...