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 right on Le Paradis Penthouse's doorstep. 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.
There are numerous whale watching cruise operators that depart from the harbour in Hermanus and also from Kleinbaai harbour. To find the most suitable operator to cater for your needs, turn to Tripadvisor for independent reviews.
Each year a traditional Whale Festival is held. Prior to this a "Kalfie Fees" (Calf Festival) is held to welcome the first whales to Walker Bay. Each festival is host to craft, food stalls, drama productions and live local bands. These are occasions not to be missed.
Hermanus sports a challenging 27 hole golf course. In 2006, the Hermanus Golf Course 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 Le Paradis Penthouse.
There are many fantastic beaches in and around Hermanus, all with in a 10 minute drive away from Le Paradis Penthouse. 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. Grotto has good ablution blocks, beach chairs and umbrellas are for hire. A restaurant, play-park and facilities make this a favorite amongst the holidaymakers. Braai (BBQ) facilities and ample parking can also be found at Grotto beach. Other fantastic beaches includes Voelklip beach, Kammabaai and Langbaai. So if you enjoy surfing or just lazing around on the beach, one of Hermanus' fabulous beaches might just be the place.
Hermanus has a variety of beautiful walks that is sure to suit your requirements. However please do remember that it is always advisable to walk with a friend rather than walking alone. The cliff path starts from Grotto beach and goes all the way to the New Harbour. This path goes past, Mussel River beach, which is excellent for picking up shells, along the cliff top and passes Siever's Point and Die Gang, which are both excellent whale watching spots. After Gearing's Point, it progresses west to the New Harbour. The cliff paths are in length the total of 15km.
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is just down the main road and up Fir Avenue, the road right before the circle in Voëlklip. The information centre at the parking lot will supply you with many interesting information regarding the local hiking trails and fauna/flora. The walks are all clearly marked and of different lengths, so you can decide how adventurous you feel that day.
It is one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world, with a glorious flower show each September.
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! This provides the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with the Great Whites. For the not so adventurous, incredible sightings of the sharks can be viewed from the comfort of the boat.
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