Things to do a bit further out of Town

Whale Watching 

Whales in Hermanus

Whales ranging from Humpbacks to majestic Southern Rights visit our shores in the spring months of August to October and sometimes stay year round. The best area to spot whales is on the warmer False Bay side of the peninsular. Arm yourself with binoculars and drive to one of the mountainside vantage points. Wind free days make sightings a lot easier. There’s an outstanding vantage point on Boyes Drive winding along the mountainside between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay.  Hermanus is on the other side of False Bay about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Magnificent mountains watch over the town which is home of the Southern Right Whale. Nature lovers from all over the world visit Hermanus to view these magnificent creatures from the best land based whale watching destination in the world.

Whale watching can also be experienced from boats which operate from Simonstown, Hout Bay, The Waterfront and Hermanus.  You are highly likely to see not only whales but seals, dolphins and penguins too!

(Highlights:  Beautiful Coastline, Whale Watching, Majestic Mountains)

 

Shark viewing from up close!

Shark Cage Diving

Cage dives take place out at Dyer Island which is situated off the coast from Kleinbaai (Gansbaai). Between the months of May through October is considered to be the best time to view the Great White Shark, although they are seen throughout the year due to the 30 000 strong Cape Fur Seal colony that provides most of their nutrition.  The Great White Shark is a surface feeder and thus all the activity takes place on or very close to the surface, due to this, the surface viewing from the boat is excellent.  You can drive yourself out to Gansbaai or have a tour operator pick you up from St Bedes.

(Highlights:  Beautiful coastline, whale watching, shark diving, shark viewing, seals)

Butterfly World

Butterfly World is a magical garden full of tropical plants, water features, and lots of butterflies. It’s a wondrous place to visit for children and adults alike.  The enclosure also houses marmoset monkeys, iguanas and numerous birds, as well as tarantulas and scorpions. There is also an outdoor garden with ducks and geese, and a petting zoo with goats and tortoises.

(Highlights: Butterflies, Monkeys and other animals, tea garden, gift shop)

 

Baby Nile crocodile

Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm

On arrival, you are shown a short educational video on the crocodile’s life cycle, and thereafter taken on a guided tour.  You view these ancient reptiles by means of a low, narrow flyover / walkway and you realize just how close you are to them.

(Highlights: Crocodiles, touching of baby crocs, restaurant)

Cheetahs at Spier

Spier has made land available to a group of hand-raised cheetahs in the care of the Cheetah Outreach Programme. Learn more about these incredible cats from a distance, or get up close and personal and even step inside an enclosure. Entrance donations help fund the Cheetah Outreach Programme.

(Highlights: Cheetahs, touch cheetahs, Horse-riding, wine-tasting, African restaurants, deli)

A kudu browsing

Wiesenhof Game Park

This game reserve is home to various plains game species including Eland, Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Oryx Antelope, Bushbuck, Springbuck, Grey Reedbuck, Common Duiker and Grysbok.  The park is set in a fynbos biome that delights one with its diversity. The views encountered are absolutely magnificent, affording a panoramic tapestry of the Cape Winelands.

(Highlights: Animals, picnic area, beautiful country setting)