Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

There’s a cliff path that runs for eight miles along the coast, from Scotsmans Point next to the New Harbour down to Grotto beach and Piet-se-bos – the path offers lots of whale-watching vantage points. There are also telescopes at the Old Harbour Museum that allow you to see the whole of Walker Bay. Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and De Kelders are also excellent viewing spots.

Arts and culture

Hermanus has attracted a large community of writers and artists, and there are several galleries in town that are definitely worth a browse, such as Gallery Hermanus (+27 (0)28 312 1418) on Main Road. There’s an amphitheatre on the cliffs above the old harbour; it regularly stages open-air concerts and drama in summer.

Something for nothing

If you come across a man standing on the shoreline blowing into a trumpet made out of seaweed don’t be alarmed; you’ve just met the Hermanus whale crier.

Shopping

Several galleries sell works by local artists. For souvenirs, head to Market Square on Saturday morning to peruse the stalls; there’s lots of local crafts and, of course, plenty of whale memorabilia.

Daytripper

Hermanus lies near the Garden Route which runs west of Port Elizabeth; it’s one of the most spectacular drives on the continent. A very full day could include a trip to beautiful beaches and forests of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna Lagoon. Within easier reach is Cape L’Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

Best beach

There are lots of good beaches all along the coast but the water is decidedly on the chilly side. The beach at Onrus is flanked by the lagoon and divided by a shallow river. It’s ideal for families, and popular with local surfers. Grotto Beach is a lovely long stretch of white sand.

Activities

As well as whale watching, you can – if you really want to – go cage diving with great white sharks (www.sharkcagediving.net); thankfully there’s also the option to view them from the surface – contact the Shark Lady (www.sharklady.co.za). You can observe much of the marine life from horseback, riding along the beach or cliff tops with Horse Trail Safaris (www.horsetrailsafaris.co.za). The nearby Hermanus lagoon is ideal for sailing and saltwater fly fishing; and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve in the Kleinriver Mountains is another good hiking area. It’s also possible to go tandem paragliding in the Hermanus area, with Para-Pax (www.parapax.com). If you prefer something less physical and more indulgent, your hotel can organise wine tours in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley; a few miles out of town are the famous Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson estates.