Car Hire Hermanus

Hermanus Mini Guide

What can you Tell me About Hermanus?
Hermanus was founded by Dutch settlers who initially called it Hermanuspietersfontein, a name that soon became too clumsy to use. It was an important whaling centre until the country decided to protect the magnificent creatures. The townsfolk decided they didn’t want Hermanus to get too big and so, despite having a railway station built, they turned down the idea of a railway. Today, it’s a popular holiday resort for those interested in marine life as well as others who want to enjoy the great beaches around the coast.

How do I get to Hermanus?
BA and Virgin both operate flights from London Heathrow to Cape Town and it’s easy to get a bus ride along the coast or to collect a rental car from Cape Town airport. The distance from the airport to Hermanus is around seventy miles and takes around 90 minutes on the excellent coastal highway.

What Should I do When I’m in Hermanus?
If you time your trip right, going out in a boat to see the whales is a must. Some of the boats have sound systems so you can hear the whales ‘singing’ to each other. Make sure you have your video camera with you for a once in a lifetime sight. If you’re feeling brave, you can take a swim with Great White Sharks further along the coast. A tour out of Hermanus lets you down into the water in a cage so you can get almost face to face with the deadly creatures. Finally, for landlubbers, South Africa’s famous garden route passes just north of the town, and is one of the world’s great road trips.