This picturesque hiking route runs along the edge of a nature reserve and offers breathtaking vistas of the sea as well as opportunities to spot various forms of aquatic creatures. The Cliff Path is an ideal spot for nature lovers seeking a scenic and peaceful stroll in the great outdoors. With its stunning ocean views, this trail is sure to delight those who appreciate the beauty of nature.
It's amazing that so many volunteers keep this organisation afloat through their incredible hard work and commitment.
The penguins are brought in from Dyer Island and cared for until they are old enough or fit enough to be returned to their natural habitat.
You can take a walk through and have a look a the penguins. There's also merch and coffee if that's your thing.
Clean bathrooms on site and best of all, the whole thing is free. There's no excuse - go there now
Duncan Alfreds — Google review
An amazing experience. Make sure to visit at 15h00 when they feed them. A very instructive talk is given at the same time. A real eye opener. They also have some lovely cake selections and very nice coffee. The carrot cake and baked cheese cake are winners. The kids love the choc brownie mini loaves as they get warmed up and are super rich.
Brendan Gradwell — Google review
What a beautiful little Sanctuary. It's free of charge to go in and it's jam packed with info. The penguins are rehabilitated and well looked after.
The lady on duty was very knowledgeable about the penguins and answered all of our questions. She was friendly and kind and we had a lovely time. There is a little coffee shop on site and some curios to buy. There are beautiful, clean restroom facilities. Outside is a lovely display of various rocks found in the mountains and how old they are with some information about them all. Very interesting 👌🏻
Jessica Viljoen — Google review
Amazing work being done here. It is free to visit but donations are welcome so please support marine conservation and penquin rehabilitation.
Jurina Vizzi — Google review
Go there at 3pm to see the penguin feeding. The volunteers there interact really nicely with the birds and give lots of interesting information. There is also a cafe with cake and drinks and a gift shop. 100% of all the profit from the cafe goes to the penguins. Local children have made bracelets where 100% of that profit also goes to the penguins. I really enjoyed my visit here.
Coralie Pattenden — Google review
Informative visit, free entry but donations are welcomed.
At 3pm we watched the penguins being fed. All the healthy penguins will go back to Dyer island. Curio inside the info centre
Mercedes Aragon — Google review
These guys do tremendous work, often without most people knowing about them. Take a 10 minute visit and drop them a small ( or large) donation
Peter Domb — Google review
Sanctuary in pristine condition. Rescue penguins all look extremely healthy. Very informative signs around the cafe
Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area
Helen Browett — Google review
Stunning place for kids. You can log on you tube to see gow they feed the penguins daily at 3pm
Mzanzitravel & Mzanzihealth — Google review
A little smaller than expected, but very cute an informative. People are great and will give you the low down on all the penguin activity.
Great initiative.
kyla theart — Google review
A wonderful place for the rehabilitation and care of penguins and marine birds. Stop by to learn about the dangers facing our feathered friends and support an organization working hard to care for them
Allana Balfour — Google review
This is our second visit.
This place is filled with lots of information, nice photo spots with creative statues (whales and penguins)
The staff is super friendly and helpful. They have curios that they sell as an income. Not too expensive either and since there is no entrance fee, please buy something
Norma Coetzer — Google review
Free entry daily feeding can volunteer as well, very nice clean place, super friendly staff.
SoTrue Gaming — Google review
The carrot cake was delicious. The recipe adds dates to it.
The penguins are a must to see. The care is excellent.
Tillie Nagel — Google review
A truly amazing place. They are at the cutting edge of conservation. Very friendly guides. Best coffee and cake available. Magic gifts.
Cabri van zyl — Google review
Only takes 10-15 mins to pop in, but a hugely rewarding visit. The lovely lady in the cafe was telling us the story of each penguins arrival and the names of the permanent resident penguins.
A very lovely place to learn a bit more about the work they do here!
Rebecca S — Google review
Amazing work done by staff! Excellent way of getting awareness and sponsorship
Zelda Farrell — Google review
This visit was the utmost amazing and unforgettable experience that will never be forgotten!!!
Biance Barnard — Google review
Amazing. Really well kept, super informative and definitely worth a stop! If you time it well, you can catch a feeding at 3pm :)
Grotto Beach, a Blue Flag beach, boasts a vast sandy expanse with stunning mountain vistas and a lagoon. It is renowned for seasonal whale sightings. The beach offers ample parking space, large beach area, public toilets, braai/picnic areas and two restaurants/snack venues. A cave system and walking trail add to its allure. Though parking during peak season can be challenging, the well-serviced mobile coffee and ice cream stalls make up for it.
Definitely a blue flag beach. Ample parking, large beach area, 2 restaurants and snack venues, public toilets and a braai / picnic area.
Not to mention caves and a trail you can walk. There is plenty of parking, but it can be difficult during summer and holidays.
Crimson Binome — Google review
Excellent beach!! Sufficient parking, clean beach and crystal clear water (cold though). Safe, secure, and helpful staff. They kindly informed me of a beach chair/buggy for partially abled people. It's able to take them into the water so everyone can enjoy the beach.
Breynify — Google review
Long time favourite beach. Clean beach and well serviced with mobile coffee and ice cream (just holidays I suppose). Plenty of life guards always alert. Lots of space so though it may be quite busy, it does not have to feel crowded.
Daneel Strydom — Google review
My most favourite beach in the world- long stretches of unspoilt natural beauty- great to such in the sea air and feel the sand in your toes on any early morning.
David Green — Google review
What an amazing beach that is safe and well managed by the lifeguards. There was also continued presence of law enforcement officials in the parking area to ensure traffic rules obided by all.
Sun umbrellas and beach chairs to rent on the beach
Andries Potgieter — Google review
Lovely beach. Went when not so busy so almost had the beach to ourselves.
tendaishe masuka — Google review
Beautiful and Peaceful Beach. We had so much fun at the beach and took some photos with my best cousins.
I will always love this beach a lot because it will be my favorites.
Matthew Stewart — Google review
Nice beach close to Hermanus. Unfortunately we were there during a storm so couldn’t get out and walk. Drove through to look in the hopes we could put our feet in the ocean. Will have to go back one day in better weather. Sat in the car for a little before leaving.
Lorien Spilkin — Google review
Great for a romantic getaway. Clean beach, great for walks or hikes. Law enforcement was present. Ablution facilities were well serviced.
PS — Google review
Pristine beach. Amazing fun for families. Beach access is free. You can rent umbrella and chairs, or bring your own. I recommend taking along your own if possible, as the guys co-ordinating this seem to be running some sort of racket- different rates for different guests, no receipts etc. One was quite rude to us, bordering on harassment, which almost spoilt our visit. Aside from this, a lovely beach worth visiting.
Yasirah Sakadavan — Google review
Beautiful wide, white, pristine beach with all the amenities and enough parking spaces
Fred du Plessis — Google review
Fantastic Beach . Clean , well guarded, separate section for dogs , and inclusive for people with disabilities. We were extremely impressed with the beach wheelchair which we could use to push our elderly mom into the ocean !!
Yasmin Brey — Google review
Beautiful beach, a dash windy with ground level sand coming into covering, water is awesome. Facilities top notch.
DM Frans — Google review
Best beach I've been to in a long time.
Beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Clean and pet friendly. Lovely for a morning run or long walk with hubby.
Sanya Van den Heever Steyn — Google review
A Lovely long flat stretch of beach. The sunsets are beautiful there. There are ablutions, a coffee van, ice cream and kiosks. Small play area for the kids. Life guards are on duty in season. There is plenty of parking BUT during the summer holidays it can be difficult to find parking and you might have to walk a long distance to where the swimming beach area is.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a diverse botanical reserve that offers captivating hiking paths, landscaped gardens and awe-inspiring views of Walker Bay. The garden exudes an enchanting ambiance with occasional sightings of small tortoises. There is also a small nursery and a picnicking area complete with tables and ablution blocks for convenience. Visitors can enjoy the stunningly beautiful views en route to Galpin Overnight Hut, although the last 60 meters may prove challenging.
Stunningly beautiful views en route to and from Galpin Overnight Hut. Last 60 m were rather grueling on my tired legs but well worth the challenge. Such a peaceful, special experience. The entire Reserve & route is well maintained and marked - thank you Fernkloof Nature Reserve for affording us such an incredible experience.
Lianne Cherry — Google review
Great family hike into this gorgeous reserve. It gives you remarkable views of Hermanus and the ocean. You can’t miss this! All ages waked it easily, nicely maintained paths and friendly people at the check-in station. They also had a wonderful little display with cuttings of the plants from the fynbos labeled.
Dave Sedensky — Google review
Beautiful! I didn’t quite figure out the route markings based on the map - but if you have a garmin watch there are great routes that you can download via the app. Well kept trails and awesome views at the top. I’m not super fit and I could manage a 10km trail run while hiking up the steep parts.
Christelle Els — Google review
Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a beautiful and diverse nature reserve located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The reserve covers over 1,800 hectares of land and offers visitors a chance to explore a wide range of natural habitats, from forests to fynbos.
One of the standout features of Fernkloof is its incredible array of plant life. The reserve is home to over 1,400 species of plants, including many rare and endemic species. This makes it a popular destination for botanists and nature enthusiasts who want to see the unique flora of the region.
In addition to its plant life, Fernkloof is also home to a variety of bird and animal species, including baboons, dassies, and porcupines. There are numerous hiking trails throughout the reserve that allow visitors to explore its many different landscapes and ecosystems.
Overall, Fernkloof Nature Reserve is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature and wants to experience the beauty and diversity of South Africa's Western Cape region.
Cindy Du Plooy — Google review
Lovely little nature reserve with a couple of well marked hiking routes. The trails are not too difficult and anyone with reasonable fitness can hike the trails. Most trails have some nice views of Hermanus and the sea. Baboons are active in the area, but we didn’t see any. We did see some rangers chasing the baboons. The trails are also suited for trail running.
Harmen Jans — Google review
What an amazing hike in Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus. The hike was only 90 minutes and the views of the town are spectacular. Well worth a visit
Dassen Naidoo — Google review
The walking trails are so picturesque! Also love the garden - it feels so magical. There is also a small nursery and a picnick area with tables and ablution blocks. You can also see a couple of small tortoises roaming around sometimes. The only thing I can recommend to do better is that the trails should be marked a bit more along the route - we got a little lost.
Martina Fourie — Google review
Nature Therapy!! We have a 7yr old and he was able to walk the 3 Dams route with us. Would recxomend it if you want to connect as a family.
Lilani Radley — Google review
Lovely scenic drive. Nice location to get 360 view of Hermanus. Definitely a must visit if one is in the area.
Khomotso Leluma — Google review
🌸🪻🪷🌺🌿Stepping into the heavenly embrace of Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Shaded pathways, medicinal plants, aloe gardens, proteas high overhead and mountains looming above...are just some of the wonders you will find here. And, tortoises, lots of tortoise which had Wolfie very curious (see pic, and spot the 2 🐢 of which he only saw 1 😁🤦🏻♀️).
🐕🦺Although abundant in flora and forna (including small buck), Fernkloof Nature Reserve & Gardens are dog friendly! But make sure your dog is firmly on lead; and it goes without saying that you must clean up after your furkid(s), but note that there is a sign on entry stating that there are no bins on the premises, and to take your rubbish with you...which keeps the Reserve clean...smart.
What a wonderful experience, to be repeated over and over. A piece of heaven on earth 😍
#hermanus #capewhalecoast #whalecoast #WesternCape #southafrica #adoptdontshop #petfriendly #overstrand #ilovehermanus #Fernkloof #dogfriendly #dogfriendlynature #naturereserve #flowers #aloe #medicinalplants
Monique van der Walt — Google review
Excellent conservation area which is understated. All credit must go to the staff who maintain and run the Reserve.
Emmanuel Pahliney — Google review
Excellent hiking trails with beautiful flowers. You can hike up to the 3 dams. Or there is another path which takes you to a high point with majestic views of Hermanus and R44. Better to have a person who knows the trails. No real risk of getting lost but will save time
Rick Rohan — Google review
Beautiful nature reserve, with great selection of trails.
Highly recommend, i cant wait to return to explore some more trails
Lyndon King — Google review
Took an impulsive drive up the mountain behind Hermanus into Fernkloof nature reserve. What a fun idea! Well maintained tarred road to a point and then gravel/sand. Stunning views of the town and bay. Some inviting well-positioned benches make for a good lunch spot. And wonderfully .... I saw several whales breaching in the ocean, being high up makes them so easy to spot. I was delighted. And did I say views for days....yes!! Very worth while...
Marcelle Armstrong — Google review
One of the best nature reserves open to the public. There are many trails to choose from, ranging from beginner to expert.
There is ample parking available, with security guards on duty. The also have rangers who are there to hike with you if you want.
The trails are quite open to the elements, there is not much tree or shade cover. So remember your sunscreen, and windbreaker.
The Lomond Wine Estate in Gansbaai offers a range of enjoyable activities for visitors. Apart from the 3-day Yeti Trail Race, guests can also indulge in a delightful wine tasting and light snack. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, making the experience even more worthwhile. However, some visitors suggest that having a broader menu would enhance their visit. Nevertheless, the place itself is stunning and brimming with potential.
This view from the tasting room was just breathtaking.
The layout is nice and modern and spacious. There are various different wine tastings, and they offer a sweet pairing done with nougat.
There are various platters as well.
It's definitely worth a visit!
Vaughan Johnson — Google review
Fantastic wine tasting with knowledgeable young lady in a great setting that is perfect for little ones to run around in. Well worth a visit for a lovely relaxing afternoon....oh and the wine is FANTASTIC too!
Luke Ziegenhardt — Google review
Blessing of the Harvest 2024. Just had the most awesome day at Lomond with Anné and Lost Boy Trev. Whole team just amazing. What passion and dedication! Will be back for sure. Excellent wines!
Andre van Zyl — Google review
First time going there, absolutely no service. Second time going there, again, absolutely no service. We were not sure if we had to order at the front desk. I asked the lady and she said we can choose a table and a waitress will serve us. We sat down and waited for a waitress and a menu. At least 15minutes went by untill we went to go ask for a menu while we wait for a waitress. We were told that the menu on the table is the menu, but it doesn't even have everything on it...thats why we asked for a menu. After another 5minutes a waitress appeared. We were thirsty, and hungry so asked the waitress if she can quickly place our order for the pizza and then come back to take our drinks order. She did not come back for another 15minutes, until we decided to go order inside. The first time there we thought they were just having a bad day, but now being the second time, exactly the same thing. We won't be going there again.
Ryno Mostert — Google review
Beautiful selection of wines and spectacular view! Nice and cozy with a warm fireplace during winter. Great music and helpful staff
Sam Paulsen — Google review
Not sure how Lomond isn't rated 5 stars, as they stand heads above the rest of the wine estates in the area. The wines alone is terrific and worth going for ! You're definitely going to find something you love. Absolutely would come back again next time we're in the country.
nadia myburgh — Google review
Such a beautiful setting, we loved the wine and platter.
Tammy Benjamin — Google review
We came for the 3 day Yeti Trail Race but enjoyed a lovely wine tasting and light snack. Staff were a attentive and knowledgeable. It would have been great to have a broader menu. The place is beautiful and has so much potential. Would do the cheese and trout platter next time.
Neal Bresler — Google review
The wine tasting was well presented by knowledgeable staff. The food was great and the presentation was interesting.
George Purchase — Google review
Very beautiful place. They have nice craft beers from the local brewery in pearly beach. Should have a few more food options - 'pub grub'
Rick Rohan — Google review
Always a delight to stop at Lomond. Very special setting, good wine and friendly staff.
The Hermanus Country Market is a lively Saturday morning market with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can browse through an impressive selection of locally-produced goods, including handcrafted items, delicious prepared meals and baked pastries. The market also offers organic vegetables at affordable prices and artisan bread. Live music adds to the festive vibe while visitors can sip on bubbly or beer and indulge in fresh oysters as early as 10am.
Fantastic market with good food and vibes! Best brownies in town and live music! It is even enjoyable on a rainy day. Definitely a MUST to visit in Hermanus.
Tinabalerina Basson — Google review
Thulani is a first clas human being.greeted me in Afrikaans at that and I replied in Xhosa thanking him.makes my day to start the day like this on a positive note.Thulani well done my brother.Its with people like you we will build a positive future.Oh and the breakfast were fantastic!!!
Marius du Plessis — Google review
What a lovely market. Great atmosphere. Brilliant selection of goods on sale and scrumptious food and drink, and a live DJ playing vibrant tunes
Nawaz Shah — Google review
What an atmosphere! Amazing array of locally crafted goods and foods. Great music and a very friendly crowd!
R Qua — Google review
Such a great experience. Great market. Friendly people at the stalls. Definitely check out Bevan's stall he makes everything himself with beads from whale key rings to 'tree of life' magnets its beautiful. The food is great/superb. Nice wines. Nice food. Nice people. Variety of beers and non alcoholic drinks too. Good music. Dog friendly.
Lauren Martinus — Google review
When we were wondering why the town was so quiet, after we reached this place, it looked like the entire town was here. Best to head here for brunch or breakfast. I even saw locals having wine at 10.30am. There were so many eating options, face painting for kids, air brush painting for adults/kids, beautiful bouquet of flowers for sale, and lots of handmade products from the locals.
Saranya Mohanasundaram — Google review
One of the best markets I've been to - great selection of stalls with interesting food and plenty to buy, with a lovely atmosphere. Plus plenty of seating and some stunning views of the mountain while you shop.
Laurie Crook — Google review
Hermanus Country Market is an absolute delight for anyone looking for a fun-filled weekend morning out in the beautiful Western Cape. This bustling market is situated in the heart of Hermanus and offers an incredible range of fresh produce, handmade crafts, artisanal products, and much more.
The market is held every Saturday morning and is a hive of activity with locals and tourists alike flocking to enjoy the buzzing atmosphere. The vendors are friendly and always ready to share their knowledge about their products, be it delicious homemade jams or intricate handcrafted jewelry. You can easily spend hours perusing the stalls, sampling the delectable goodies, and chatting with the friendly locals.
One of the best things about the Hermanus Country Market is the wide variety of products on offer. You'll find everything from fresh farm produce to homemade baked goods, unique artwork, and handcrafted furniture. It's a true showcase of the incredible talent and creativity of the local community.
The market also has a lovely outdoor seating area where you can relax and enjoy some live music while indulging in some freshly brewed coffee or a hearty breakfast. There's a wonderful sense of community at the market, and it's a fantastic place to meet new people and make new friends.
In summary, Hermanus Country Market is a must-visit for anyone looking for a fun
Lloyd Flay — Google review
Lovely setting, entusiastic & appreciate crowd attending this warm, family-friendly market. Creative, good food, honest products & wonderful people
Michael — Google review
Amazing market with wonderful stalls. Food to delight, beautiful clothes and crafts on sale. And not you usual stuff either. Doggies allowed and a lovely family vibe. One of the best markets I have visited. It's lovely seeing visitors sip on bubbly or beer with fresh oysters at 10am! The coffee and pastries are delicious too. There is even a stall selling Brigaderos....a Brazilian sweet of devilishly good proportions. It's become my weekly go to to purchase organic veg at ridiculously low prices and artisan bread. Well worth a visit. But get there early. It's popular.
Bounce Back Pilates Body Wellness — Google review
Great atmosphere, food, handmade clothing and jewellery - every Saturday at #Hermanus country market. Live music, local beer & wine, children's play area makes it a fab family activity.
The Potting Shed Accommodation — Google review
Glorious 5km round-walk from Hermanus Old Harbour to this funky and bustling weekend country market. Great music, laid-back vibes and a cool crowd. Closes at 2pm so get there with plenty of time to spare for a mooch around the various food, drink and range of curio stalls (clothes, jewellery, organic skincare, artwork etc). I tucked into a delicious BACON DOUGHNUT (!!) from "buttermeup66" (not to be missed...a real protein boost!), a gooey Kit-Kat-stuffed croissant and a bag of fudgey treats from the bustling sweet stall (I did Hermanus Parkrun that morning so was a totally #guiltfreezone). Great way to spend Saturday afternoon!!! 🍭🍭🍭
Trina O'Connor — Google review
This was my second time visiting this lovely local market. The coffee, spring rolls and the people created the perfect Saturday morning in Hermanus. I’ll definitely be back ☕️
Gina Smith — Google review
Cool, laid-back vibes at this Market.
So many food choices!!!.
I got there a bit late and the Ramen was sold out....
Bought awesome jewellery for really good prices.
I will definitely go again but plan it better and go early when the Market opens.
Cols T — Google review
This is a fantastic market. We went on the Friday night and it was a great atmosphere with many interesting stalls and plenty of delicious food. Don't leave ordering too late as they do sell out.
Jonty — Google review
Other wordly comes to mind. Such a vibe. Fresh foods , beautiful crafts and artwork by such talented people. Freshest oysters ! Something different for the family to do .reasonable prices as well. Just loved it.
Fiona Lombard — Google review
Oh my goodness, went there early morning during a cold rainy day and it was lovely! Coffee and snacks galore! There's a man selling baked goods and I'm telling you I have never had a better brownie!!!! It's a small market but really a lovely little morning outing for sure! Great little stalls too.
Storm Beney — Google review
Only stopped there for a coffee (which was great). Very neat little outdoor market. Plenty of food, drink and art options.
The market itself is well shaded with more than enough parking nearby. Definitely worth a stop if you want to get out of the main town for a bit.
Andrew Greenwood — Google review
This was a lovely night market to go to, the family had a great time. The music and atmosphere was welcoming and festive. We had some of the delicious spring rolls, the milk tart and Nutella were the family favourites. The only unfortunate thing was that we found a good few of the stalls had sold out by about 8pm, which I suppose is a great thing for them.
Nicolette Culwick — Google review
A REAL TREAT. Saturday morning sipping coffee watching the world go by as Devil Wears Prada scours the wonderful stalls for treats of all sorts. Easy parking, walking and consuming in this safe space. Musical relaxed vibe, no hustle no bustle. Good 2 hours of living.
Noel Reidy — Google review
Great place to gather with friends and enjoy the home made delights of Hermanus. No real bargains as you would expect from a market as prices are higher than most local stores but quality is good. Kids will enjoy as well
Had an incredible time volunteering alongside some amazing people with the friendly staff that taught us many things about conservation and caring for the big cats. Educational and fun.
Ronin Breen — Google review
Please visit and support Panthera! It's absolutely amazing what the volunteers and owners are doing here. The educational work is a real eye opener. We were guided through the area by 2 volunteers in a small group. We learned a lot and all questions were answered. The big cats looked very well, have large enclosures and feel very comfortable. We adopted 2 lionesses right away because we want to support this great work. Thank you Panthera for this amazing experience
Caro Julia — Google review
What a fabulous cat Sanctuary. The cats are clearly cherished and looked after, having being rescued from horrific conditions. Joe is so informative. The ninety minute tour flew by with lots of close up encounters with the cats but in a non intrusive way. I highly recommend a visit.
Tracey Halles — Google review
We had a lovely, educational, and informative experience with Megan. Panthera is doing such amazing work, providing sanctuary for these big cats that otherwise get bred for sinister reasons. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the sanctuary, cats, and Panthera's mission! Definitely a must-see!
Lukas Mayr — Google review
It was absolutely beautiful to see that the people take such good care off big cats. They live on a big property and look healthy. The guide we had was absolutely lovely, she was only doing tours like this for 2 weeks and knew so much about these beautiful animals! Would definitely recommend this place.
Nadine Slootmans — Google review
I love Rays 🐅! We did the sunset tour. What an experience. Learnt so much about these cats from the amazing and enthusiastic guide. Rays caught our hearts especially with his outgoing and curious personality and we were lucky enough to hear the lions roar! Absolutely incredible.
Mia Mok — Google review
A wonderful charity with staff who obviously care deeply about the cats they are looking after.
That said, as an experience for kids it can be a little hit and miss, and on the day that we were there (pretty warm) the cats themselves were very very scarce, and we didn't get to see much at all.
I totally understand that this is 100% their approach, but I wouldn't choose to go back without checking that the conditions are right to actually see a bit more of the animals.
Richard Marshall — Google review
Highly recommend visiting Panthera! We went as a a group of two families with kids age 7-13 years. We all learnt so much and were thoroughly engaged in the tour and the information given by Brenton, our guide.
We all now know that not all big cat sanctuaries are what they seem and for this reason, it’s so worth visiting and supporting Panthera to learn more and see some truly beautiful big cats.
Helen Evans — Google review
Such a deep respect for this sanctuary. They have structured their tour to accomodate the needs of the Big Cats in their care. Overall a fantastic and educational experience
Kelly Rosslee — Google review
As an animal rescuer and lover, I was surprised to find a place worthy of the name 'sanctuary'.
The needs of the cats come first here, which means you may see the animals, you may not. The staff answers any question with knowledge (and the truth). The animals all have their own stories, and that is very clearly respected.
10/10!
Laura Stevens — Google review
What an amazing experience. Joe was incredibly knowledgeable and you could tell everyone involved in Panthera are passionate about caring for the big cats and ensuring they get the outcome and life they deserve. Highly recommend
Lesley McMillan — Google review
A gentle, kind place with close-up encounters with these beautiful wild animals - always with the animals coming first. Heart-warming to discover Panthera's vision of protecting animals that have been abused by unkind or unthinking contact with humans.
We spent a wonderful couple of hours on the tour and chatting to the very knowledgable guide. A great place to take kids and great for adults too.
Veronica Haupt — Google review
A true sanctuary. Loved every second of the tour. It was very informative and beautiful to hear the history and stories behind the place. Really made me look at the places that keep animals differently. You can tell Panthera is all about the cats and the cats also look well taken care of. And Tynika, our guide was fantastic 👌🏾
Yenziwe Tracy Mfeka — Google review
My dad is almost 91 years old and they were very helpful with him walking etc. very informative.
Sharie van Dalen — Google review
Beautiful animals, close encounters and a great mission. A visit is highly recommended for fans of big cats.
What a fantastic estate, having our lunch on the balcony felt like having lunch in our own private backyard overlooking the dam. What a spectacular sight. Food was delish makea total sense that it would be nestled on the Hemel-en-Aarde valley because it is every bit a little of heaven on earth. Thank you for making it memorable.
Sima Abrahams — Google review
Great day out with the family. Food was mouth watering and the red blend wine is one of the best we’ve had! Service was exceptional and the chef took great pride in explaining our platter and how it was created. Will be back and highly recommend and rated
Nic Morkel — Google review
Prior to this visit I hadn't been at the Sumaridge Wine Estate in a while and I must admit, I've been missing out. Sumaridge is one of those wine farms on the Hemel-and-Aarde wine route that is a must visit! Starting off, their wine is excellent. Our group was impressed with almost all of their wines (from their entry level to their flagship range), except their Pinot Noir MCC which wasn't quite to our taste. The tasting room is beautiful both on the exterior (architecture) and the interior, and there is a big dam right next to it making for great photo opportunities. You can also order something to eat with one couple enjoying a mini-fondue infront of the beautiful fireplace. The lady that presented the tasting was also very friendly. We really enjoyed our time there and will definitely be back.
Dewald Reinke — Google review
An amazing setting for wine tasting & cheese platters outside on the lawns... It also has a wedding venue... There is an inside seating area which we did not use as we just basked in the beautiful setting overlooking the mountains...
Devan Pulliah — Google review
World class wines. The tasting room presenters are very knowledgeable and friendly. We also had their cheese platter which was very delicious.
Ryan Blake — Google review
Very accommodating. We called to make a booking but were warned that they are very busy. Even though they still managed to get us a seat by the fire place.
Great service and friendly staff are attentive. Platters are great but the 🍷 is lacking. The vistas are gorgeous with great photo ops for photography.
Monde “S3ak” Sineke — Google review
I really enjoyed my experience here. The wine tasting was very affordable, yet the wines were of very good quality. With every wine tasting, flavours and wine making processes were explained. And with the stunning mountain and ocean views and crackling fire going in the fireplace, makes it a perfect relaxing place for a chilli winter's afternoon.
Nicky De Wit — Google review
Ah, superb!! The tasting experience is exceptional, always accommodating, and the staff are very friendly. 100% can recommend!
The Gansbaai Tourism Bureau is a prominent structure that serves as a hub for tourism information and services. Situated in the heart of Gansbaai, this facility plays a vital role in promoting and supporting the local tourism industry. The building serves as a central point for visitors seeking guidance on various attractions, accommodations, and activities available in the area. With its strategic location, it acts as a gateway to adventure and exploration within the region.
Voëlklip Beach is a well-liked destination for surfing enthusiasts and offers ample space for dogs to roam around. It also boasts lush green lawns that are perfect for picnics, as well as clean and modern showers to rinse off after swimming. The beach path is ideal for leisurely walks, where visitors can find coffee stands along the way.
One of my favourite summer vacation places to go with family. Beautiful landscape, lovely sand beach... Entertaining and relaxing, soothing at the same time
Shelly Mncube — Google review
Beautiful views of whales last Sat and Sun. Clean area with ablution and a kiosk selling basic drinks and snacks. Benches to sit on, links to cliff walks and grass lawns.
Sue Grove — Google review
Great beach. Perfect for body boarding or surfing. Also lovely benches for the ones watching.
Beautiful views. Good facilities and it is clean.
Daphne Sherriff — Google review
Lovely and cozy place for swimming and body boarding/surfing
Sonia Helene Hindley — Google review
Our favourite beach for more than 50 years.
We love the grass to sit on, as well as the soft white beach.
Ablutions and showers are neat and clean
Uschi Muller — Google review
Great beach. Had a tranquil experience with my family. The beach is not crowded at all and it's very safe
samkelo khumalo — Google review
Beautiful place for nature lovers and those who love the outdoors.
The scenery is beautiful and the walk paths is well laid out and not so strenuous.
Sunsets are always beautiful from these locations
Percy Martin — Google review
Nice place for a day gateway,,I had a nice picnic with my family and I also enjoyed swimming..The sand is smooth..I love this place I'm definitely going back
Straws Ndlovu — Google review
I've been visiting Hermanus and spending hours on end at Voëlklip Beach since the age of one. I'm 43 years old now so clearly this spot holds a special distinction for me. I love that over the years this beach has always remained free of any restaurants or bars on its perimeter. The grass-covered hill at the top of the beach provides a great place to sunbathe and relax, although there are also plenty of white sand options further down for those who prefer that.
A word of caution though: like all of Hermanus' beaches the water can get very cold. This past holiday there were two days where the lifeguards' temperature reading was 9oC! The sea can also get really rough so if you're heading there with the kids, you may want to keep an eye on them.
Jackie Smit — Google review
Wow, this beach did not disappoint, it is beautiful, clean and the waves were amazing. Definitely be back here soon
Ros Adriaanse — Google review
Dog-friendly beach with more than enough space. Very good & neat showers for after a swim. Walk around the beach path and you can grab a coffee from the stands along the way!
Eljoh Hartzer — Google review
Gets packed during peak season, so go early. But out of season it is a really nice beach for adults with kids. Lit quieter than Grotto
The Walker Bay Nature Reserve Office is a rugged coastal reserve that boasts beaches and cliffs. Visitors can enjoy land-based whale watching, hiking, and biking on excellent trails. The park also offers prime birdwatching opportunities and features the impressive Klipgat Caves, which are home to informative panels about an archaeological discovery of Khoe-San artefacts. The reserve is divided into two sections, with most people exploring the area just north of De Kelders.
One of the most beautiful places to go. On the road from Hermanus to Gansbaai. Hardly any tourists - in fact we did not see anybody. Small admission fee. Deserted beaches, beautiful flowers and seals on the beach every now and then.
Theo de Vliegh — Google review
Beautiful nature reserve. Entry is 60R per person and you will be able to walk around the nature reserve, enter the Klipgat Caves, and there is also a super fun 4x4 sand dune trail that is 5km long - only go if you actually have a 4x4 and are a capable/confident driver.
Nadia Keshwani — Google review
Very remote, beautiful scenery.
Darren Steele — Google review
Cape Nature has kept this Protected Paradise absolutely pristine!
Luke — Google review
Breathtakingly beautiful beach and caves. A MUST VISIT if you're in the area!
Andrea Tickner — Google review
Close to Gansbaai, De Kelders. A must do experience.
🐳 🌊 🌍 🥾 Walking, lingering, resting, enjoying the untouched beach, the sand, the dunes, the rocks, the deep blue water of the Atlantic. 2-3 times a day you can see the boats of Ivanhoe Sea Safaris and Southern Right Sharters in the bay which are looking for the Gentle Giants. And by the way , don`t forget an excursion to the Klipgat Caves beside. Moreover some small maps to orientate. The access to the entrance at Normandie St. isn`t so easy it likes, so have close look at Google maps or similar.
Confer to Google maps tag: Walker Bay Nature Reserve Entrance.
Andreas Hundt — Google review
Beautiful!! Short walk to the caves, with little enclosed beach. on the other side you will also find a beautiful stretch of beach. Further walks available but not shaded, so need to go early. Views were stunning. (not well signposted, at the parking lot, go down the stairs, cross the viewing platform and continue left across the sand, over some rocks and into caves)
Nazneen Bray — Google review
Nice and remote, beautiful white sandy beaches! A big favourite of our family and always enjoy spending the day and just relaxing!
John-William Cloete — Google review
Pristine beauty. Some of the best Mother Nature has to offer. Sea, shore, mountain, sky. Stunningly untamed and beautiful!
Buyisiwe Shongwe — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking coastline! You can walk on the beach for hours and not get to the end :) You can also walk up on the path for cars.
Ivett Vics — Google review
Even though this reserve is close to Stanford and Gansbaai, it has a wonderful feeling of remoteness. Great birdlife, long white sandy beaches and the chance to see seals, dolphins and even whales in the season. A peaceful haven, well worth a visit for nature lovers.
Michelle CPT — Google review
The 4 x 4 trail is highly recommended. Beautiful scenery.
Kleinmond Beach is a serene and peaceful location where visitors can enjoy their own activities while relaxing on the well-maintained green lawn. On certain occasions, one can witness paragliders gracefully landing on the sandy shores, adding to the ambiance. The public bathrooms are tidy and conveniently placed for everyone's use. For those interested in boating, there is a reasonably priced rental service available with helpful staff who assist beginners in getting started, offering life jackets for safety.
This is the most beautiful beach, with mountains surrounding the lagoon.
It an excellent place for holidays and the beach is clean. There so much to keep the family busy. There is canoeing, fishing and you can braai.
The luxurious green grass and the viewing is priceless. It's the best place to go and explore all it's glory it has to offer!
Siya Xapa — Google review
This is such a clean, well maintained beach with stunning view and lots of children's laughs. So beautiful
Hilda Stroebel — Google review
Great beach area. Lots of parking; clean bathrooms; clean sand; lots of climbing opportunities on the rocks.
DJ Muller — Google review
What a beautiful place to take your family. Its free and you can braai there too.
Fatum Adams — Google review
Beautiful beaches....clean and the superb surroundings of the fauna & Flora.
Absolutely hospitality of the community.
I enclose a few photos of my friend I received on whatsup
Viola inches — Google review
Great beach and park! The rock formations gave a wonderful foreground to huge waves. There are dressing rooms and toilets with a playground the kids loved.
Karen Green — Google review
Beautiful, CLEAN beach!
Walkway well maintain - we saw whales and dolphins
mignon Botha — Google review
Always a pleasure at kleinmond Beach, so many activities this holiday on the grass
This is one community I want to be apart of. Lovely place . Very clean beach . Always life guards on duty.
Robyn Schubert — Google review
Had so much fun here and the locals are amazing people
Lee Baxter — Google review
Clean beach front and picnic area. Toilets are well kept and even had toilet paper. Impressed me a lot that it even had the soap liquid dispenser. It has a really nice park for the children and a outside gym area. Canoeing is allowed and operating. Little to no hazards. Good for the whole family. Police/traffic cops were patrolling the area as well.
anastacia eksteen — Google review
Enough parking. More than enough space to set up for day camping. You have the option to swim in the river or sea. Bathrooms are decent. Designated braai spots.
Anthony Morta — Google review
This area is such a relaxing venue and people go about their own business and you can relax on lush grass.
On some occcasions you can be treated to paragliders landing on the beach and there are neat bathrooms for public use.
Check out the boat rental which is very cost effective and staff will help newbies to get started. Life jackets are provided.
There's a Spar store centre within walking distance to the beach, but there's also a regular ince cream sales van there every day.
Kids love this place.
This was an amazing experience.
The entry and assistance at the gate was really amazing.
The views are truly breathtaking. Furthermore, the walk down the trail is refreshing and moderately intense.
Walking over the rocks was a bit tricky and the there were no signage on the route, and it can cause somewhat confusion once on the platform at the bottom.
The rocks and caves itself was amazing and it truly is a wonderful and historic site to visit.
Gerald Pietersen — Google review
Such a picture perfect place to visit. Photos will never do it justice. You need to visit it to really enjoy the beauty... There's a Rocky path that you need to cross in order to get to the caves. So I would recommend comfy walking shoes...
belinda de wet — Google review
The steps were worth climbing down to get to the magnificent beach. The rocks were a little difficult to navigate closer to the mouth of the cave but an awesome sight to see.
M van Wyk — Google review
One of the best places we visited so far. The views are amazing. The pictures come so beautiful around the cave and in the other areas of the walkerbay nature reserve. The beach is nice and quiet. It has a few number of visitors and most come with a guide to get more details of the cave and how the people used to stay and survive. There is a 24hr fresh water running from the mountains under the bridge and to the ocean. We also drank it and it was refreshing.
Shohel Yunus Patel — Google review
Worth the drive!! Kind of hidden away once you get to the bottom of the stairs. Wear good footwear as there is a bit of rough and rocky bits to cross over to get to the caves!!
R Qua — Google review
This is an amazing experience! Absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend that everyone check it out. You pay about R60 to enter, but it is absolutely worth it. Even if you are going to check out the caves. As long as the weather is clear, you will have the most amazing experience. The water is icy, but with the sunshine, it is worth it. There are other activities available such as: hiking and much more. For those who enjoy history, you may get a guide to take you through the process and explain the history behind it.
Taahir Dawood — Google review
Amazing place to visit. R60 entrance fee if you do not have a wildcard, but it's so worth it. The upkeep of the caves are great.
We went with an amazing field guide from the world renowned Grootbos Nature Lodge, Danika, that were extremely knowledgeable on the area and the caves.
It is a well maintained treasure in the Gansbaai area, Western Cape.
A place well worth visiting.
Victor Lemmer — Google review
Amazing views!!
Wear takkies.
First cave is easy to access, second cave requires some navigation over rocks.
Melissa Bailey — Google review
An incredible natural heritage site. Easy to access and explore, for kids too, with lots of educational content. The Klipgat caves (stone holes) open up to stunning views of the ocean and bay through multiple chambers which can be accessed easily. Highly recommended to anyone passing the area.
Faheem Seedat — Google review
There was an entrance fee to go down to the caves but it's totally worth it. These caves were absolutely beautiful and worth the 2 hour drive we took to see them! 🌟 Definitely would recommend for tourists to go here
Vee — Google review
This was actually a very interesting spot.
Obviously one goes down to get to the caves and scramble over rocks, which can prove dangerous for an elderly person or one with mobility issues.
Coming up was a bear, and there's quite an incline, andclots of steps, but we enjoyed ourselves, nevertheless.
Regina Fugat — Google review
Visited the caves on one of the windiest days. The waves were quite harsh and could not enter the caves. It would have been nice for the security to inform us that the caves were not accessible before we paid the entry fee.
Habakkuk Manjoro — Google review
Kids enjoyed the rock climbing. The beach is awash with sea shells. A good workout.
Muhammad Ally — Google review
Lovely Scenic area with beautiful secluded beach area...Just climbing to the caves not so great!! Need to have a LOT of energy!!
Margaret Steyn — Google review
Beautiful place, secluded with turquoise waters and white beach if you done exploring the cave. It is located in a reserve, so a small fee is applicable but worth it.
Pieter Smit — Google review
This was the highlight of our family get away. It looked like the Maldives from up there. The security at the entrance gate was AMAZING!
Natalie Adriaanse — Google review
What an experience AWESOME. A must to be done. Picture perfect moments. I'm not the fittest and quite scared of walking on rocks but trail is very easy. So many tourists was on the route and I was in awe of the type of INSTAGRAM pics that was captured.
Janine Milton — Google review
A very interesting historical site which has evidence of human occupation over extended periods. Also evidence of big sea level changes over geological time. Has good descriptive boards explaining the excavations. One needs to be fairly mobile to walk over the rocks to get there.
Bruce Sobey — Google review
nice location, best to visit when low tide. either by foot or by car reachable. 60 rand per person currently.
Chris Eberhardt - Hochzeitsfotograf — Google review
South, Atlantic Way, Ocean View
This is my all time favourite beach. My family and I have formed so many wonderful memories here so it will always be special to us.
It is breathtakingly beautiful and very peaceful. 👌
Naz Alexander — Google review
A stunning beach with clean sand and enough swimming space. Amazing views of False Bay and Table mountain in the distance, it also boasts a small lagoon. Taps and showers are available when leaving the beach to rinse off, there could just be some more parking available as it's hard to find a spot to park when it's holiday season.
Elizabeth Mebelo — Google review
What a nice quiet beech where you can walk forever.... Our dogs enjoyed the long walks, and in the mornings, when it was quiet, we could even take off their leeches to let them run and run and run.
We will be back soon
Andries Potgieter — Google review
The beach is cold, windy and the weather is unpredictable. The water is ice cold. The lagoon is stained dark from the bordering bushveld. The sand dunes are large and off limits. Watch out for the Baboons, they may break into your vehicle. Restrooms are available at parking or about 300 meters from where you will be sitting on the beach, at least it feels like that with all the soft sand.
Jacob Kenyon — Google review
The most beautiful beach and sunsets!!! Our dogs love this beach. It's always so clean, and crystal clear waters!! Our favourite beach!!
Triekie Verreynne — Google review
Beautiful sandy beach with. It gets busy but still big enough to not feel like you sit on top of each other. There's a lagoon for the little kids to play. The water is warm and if you enjoy surfing this beach is your spot to go. Sunsets to die for. Perfect for picnics.
CHERDINE MILLS — Google review
It is certified to be one of the hidden gems. When other places are busy, you can simply drive to pringlebay. Perfect, less busy and amazing water with clean beach.
Jaymin Dave (Jay) — Google review
White sand, flat beach, life guards, clear but cold water. One of the nicer beaches in the area.
Wynand Nel — Google review
The entrance is tucked in between the house's of Pringle bay. There is a bit of a walk to the beach and depending which route you take a few sand dunes to climb up but the beach is worth the trek, very isolated.
Again a common theme around the western cape is beach goer's not picking up the feaces of their dogs, this didn't take away too much from the experience of the beach but as dogs are allowed on the beach be careful when walking.
Nosipho Mthembu — Google review
The best beach I have ever been to. Perhaps I am biased, but when mountains and the beach meet at the sea, magic happens. Wonderfully majestic. I don't even want to write this review because I don't want anyone to find out! That's how good it is.
The Ataraxia Wines tasting room offers a stunning vista of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Visitors are greeted by captivating artwork, friendly staff, and a breathtaking view. They can enjoy guided tastings of the estate's regular wines and even sample a special edition Pinot Noir at no cost. The black chardonnay comes highly recommended for those looking to take home a bottle.
Small tasting room with great views of the valley. A local artist has her work on the walls, giving the church a modern atmosphere.
Tasting was very informative and delicious wines
Reserve tasting consists of 5 wines at R75 per person
Helen Browett — Google review
Interesting art and beautiful views. Drive to “wine lounge” a little precarious. Enjoyed tasting wine, but found sommelier a little uninterested in customers so late in the day.
Zonja Smith — Google review
Extraordinary farm, delicious wine, great service. Definitely a must.
L v.d.M — Google review
Stunning wines - and tasting was inspired! Loved the artwork too - very small, intimate experience- highly recommended. The road to it is something else ….. worth perseverance x
May Woods — Google review
A tasting room with an incredible view.
We visited the ataraxia tasting room and were greeted by interesting art pieces, friendly staff and an amazing view of the hemel-en-aarde valley.
We had a guided tasting of the regular wines produced by the estate and well as a special edition Pinot Noir at no charge.
A high recommendation for the black chardonnay as a take home bottle.
Matthew Seale — Google review
Excellent wine tasting experience, wonderful views from the wine lounge
Michael van der Merwe — Google review
Als je een wijngaard in de buurt van Hermanus wilt bezoek; ga hierheen! Enorm mooie locatie en daarbij krijg je ook mooie verfijnde wijnen te proeven. We waren naar Antaraxia nog naar een andere commerciële wijngaard gegaan, maar deze viel ons erg tegen.
(Translated by Google)
If you want to visit a vineyard near Hermanus; go here! Very beautiful location and you also get to taste beautiful refined wines. We had gone to another commercial vineyard after Antaraxia, but this one was very disappointing.
J Bosters — Google review
Ataraxia has wonderful wines, I couldn't pick just one I loved. The tasting room is beautiful, situated in an old-style chapel. The views of the vineyards is amazing. There's a bit of a wait if you have not booked and it's busy - but enough time to wander around outside and take photos.
Ianette H — Google review
We just had such a wonderful experience here. We drove up this morning 🌞 around 11:30 (actually in search of a pre-wine coffee) and I stopped the car twice on my way to the Wine Lounge. The views are out of this world. The little chapel style wine lounge sits proud on the too of a hill surrounded by vineyards and rolling mountains. The building is stunning, with a bell that is rung at random :). As we arrived Lionel, the wine lounge manager arrived with us to open just for us! We walked in and were immediately blown away by the interior of the lounge. It is open to the views, decorated with amazing art and the furniture is an eclectic mix and match that creates a homely glamour. As we sat we got lured in by the brilliant Lionel straight into a delicious tasting of their 4 wines.and Lionel continued to entertain us with his good humour and one liners. What an exceptional space and doggo friendly!! Can't wait to bring more friends .
Tash Day (Tash Day) — Google review
Sensational views coupled with amazing wines but our waitress lacked any sort of enthusiasm. It felt quite rushed and impersonal.
Still a must see and worth five stars just a pity about the service.
PS the host and the art were amazing!
Such a unique environment 🤩
Mikhail Atkinson — Google review
A temple for wine drinker. This place is big and small at the same time. During our visit we were lucky they were not busy, we bought amazing bottle of red with tobacco notes. I totally recommend to visit
marek gabonay — Google review
We popped in quickly for the tasting of their four wines. Enjoying the drive to get to the venue was a plus. Gave a sense of the farm and its scope.
We were quickly welcomed and seated. Lionel gave us the usual script and left us to taste the wines.
Only once we asked a few questions, were we given a rich answer with interesting information about the area.
Great quick stop.
Spectacular winery with wonderful wines. The conservation ethics are fascinating as well, a must visit if in the area and worth driving too from Cape Town regardless!
Dan Young — Google review
Great wine tasting. Very insightful. Great experience.
Charl Swanepoel — Google review
When trying to get a table outside in the shade at the tasting room we were told to move our own table as most of the umbrellas were broken. Despite only three tables being occupied, the thought of serving two more guests seemed too much for the hostess. We decided to go elsewhere where we were made to feel more welcome. There are many better wine tasting options further up the road. Give this one a skip.
Anton Scholtz — Google review
A high profile estate that pioneered Burgundy wines in the cooler southern region of the Western Cape.. and it was with great expectations that we headed there for a visit. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed with the tepid reception.. and sub-standard wine tasting experience. We were only allowed to taste the most recent vintage.. there was only “tap water” available to cleanse our palates.. and we could only purchase the latest vintage.. enough said..
Ashbourne blend was the only saving grace
Fred du Plessis — Google review
I was here for wine tasting. First of all, I highly suggest you come here during weekdays as there are less people. I literally had the wine cellar to myself. The wine tasting is very affordable R100 and I tasted 4 wines, 2 were tgeur own and the other two was from their sister Vineyards. The wines tasted absolutely exquisite with pleasant flavours. The views and scenery are to die for. The staff was very helpful and friendly. If you want Pinot noir and Chardonnay you have come to the right place.
Nkina Ramonyai — Google review
I think my first taste of Hamilton Russell (HR) was the 2004 vintage of Pinot Noir, flanked by the ‘06 Chardonnay - both delivered WOW factors. Some years and a pandemic later, I found myself in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley on a quiet Thursday afternoon, with time to squeeze in only one tasting. Conundrum, but which farm? Options, options, options… Alas the road maintenance made it easy to decide, with the first stop-go being at the entrance to HR.
On arrival, we were greeted by some
of the cellar staff that were going about their duties, who pointed us down to a charming cottage overlooking a lovely dam with lots natural habitat surrounding. Chantel the tasting room host stoked the fire place then presented us with the 4 wines on offer for a frugal R100 pp.
The tasting was nothing short of a few laughs, beautiful views and outstanding wines, but, my primary take away from this visit was the history lesson I learnt about the Estate. With that its ethos of love and respect for the terroir or land, the craft of wine making and the families that work on the estate. Amazing!
Sher Brüssow — Google review
Beautiful, Personal, Special and Tranquil. A wonderful place to go and learn about the estate and wine whilst being very present in the "Now.'
Catherine Bishop — Google review
Prepare to have your taste buds transported to a world of pure elegance and finesse at Hamilton Russell Vineyards. Nestled in the pristine Hemel-en-Aarde Valley of South Africa, the vineyard is a sanctuary where nature and artistry intertwine. With meticulous attention to detail, they cultivate exceptional grapes that yield wines of unparalleled quality and complexity. From their signature cool-climate Chardonnay to their expressive Pinot Noir, each sip reveals layers of beauty and intensity. Hamilton Russell Vineyards invites you on a sensory journey through a tapestry of flavors, where every pour is an invitation to indulge in the art of winemaking.
Antony Mushambi — Google review
We had a wonderful tasting experience with Chantal, she was so knowledgeable and really took the time to answer our questions and tell us about each wine. She was friendly and entertaining. Wine and views were lovely too.
Kerri van der Merwe — Google review
Such a lovely cozy cottage with a beautiful terrace and view of the vineyard. The wines were really unique especially the aged sav blanc.
Paige Berges — Google review
They were short staffed and very busy, but service was not up to the standard of the area.
If you willing to look past that - the wine and setting is immaculate.
No food on offer, so don’t go hungry.
Bouchard Finlayson Winery offers an impressive selection of wines for tastings, ensuring ample time to savor the distinct flavors of each wine before moving on. The friendly and knowledgeable servers create a welcoming atmosphere, while the wine cellar setting enhances the appreciation of the wines being tasted. Additionally, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views and elegant interior decoration. Overall, Bouchard Finlayson Winery provides a delightful wine tasting experience that comes highly recommended.
An outstanding property with a great range of wines from the unique Hannibal (French-Italian red blend, through excellent Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blanc to the sublime Galpin Peak Pinot Noir. Imho South Africa’s top Pinot Noir that consistently delivers and wins top awards and gains the attention of the top international wine critics.
The tasting room and restaurant are of the best!
Fred du Plessis — Google review
Beautiful boutique winery with amazing views and great wines. We did a wine tasting in the cellar room and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Carl Thomas — Google review
An absolutely magnificent experience, from the moment we entered the wine farm right up until it was time to say our farewell! Beautiful venue with exquisite views, magnificent wines and delicious food! Everything was just perfection! The staff are wonderful and make you feel right at home! I can’t get enough of the wine and a few cases made it’s way back to the free state! A definite must when visiting the area!
Danielle Van Tonder — Google review
Bouchard Finlayson boasts a wonderful wine selection to choose from for tastings. We were given more than enough time between each wine to fully savour the individual flavour before moving on to the next one. The servers were very friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. Sitting in the wine cellar while doing the tasting allowed us to further appreciate the wine we were tasting. Afterwards, we enjoyed the lovely view and interior decoration. Overall, we had a great wine tasting experience - definitely recommend!
Jenna Venter — Google review
Beautiful views and great wines pairings to go with it.
My favorite was the white wine pairing, wines taste and beautiful soft notes.
Will be back to try out the restaurant.
Maylen Minnaar — Google review
We’ve been coming to Bouchard Finlayson for the past 2 years as we really enjoy their wine and have had pleasant experiences. This time we were very disappointed and probably won’t be back again. We ordered wine by the glass which was served to us flat. The man who served us said the bottle was “most likely” opened this morning. He offered us ice instead. Ice is usually not offered at a wine farm, the wine should be chilled to start with. He also told us he did not know how much wine to pour as we ordered per glass… The meat and cheese platter is also not worth the price. Overall there was a lack of passion. I was looking forward to visiting Bouchard in 2024 but was very disappointed.
Kelsey — Google review
What a pleasure, our experience was amazing. Great tasting wines, stunning views and friendly staff.
Would highly recommend 👌 Always something unique to experience. Well done Team.
Lynn Da Silva — Google review
Beautiful wine estate with some really nice wines. We had only tried the Sauvignon Blanc thanks to a friend gifting us a few bottles during the lock down periods, we really enjoyed it so felt it worth a stop. We tried each of the 8 ones on the menu along with a cheese platter and was all superb. Definitely worth a stop here on your wanderings.
Justin Williams — Google review
Very overpriced. Looking at their awards and what they have achieved I can understand their price per bottle which is fair but good heavens the price of their wine tasting? I have never experienced anything more over priced.
The Whale Museum is a snug and intimate center that features an informative collection about marine mammals, as well as outdoor sculptures and a suspended whale skeleton. Although not overly spacious, the museum's selection of exhibits has been expertly curated to make it an ideal location for its purpose. To explore the displays fully, visitors would require only 30-60 minutes.
The kids loved it. There's not too much to see, it's very small. There's a lot of reading, but also some fun sounds to listen to, an example of a submarine, puzzles, and games for the kids. It's also super cheap, and you get to go to the photography museum and shark museum with one ticket
Lezanne Nel — Google review
The Whale Museum, located in center of Hermanus, is a great option to add to your sightseeing itinerary. It is a small museum with informative and interactive exhibits providing fun for all ages. One of the exhibits included a miniature submarine which you can get into as well as another one where you can listen to different whale sounds. The entrance fee was very reasonable at R30 for adults and R10 for children and as it is close to other attractions and restaurants I definitely think it is worth a visit, even just a quick one.
Dewald Reinke — Google review
It's s very short time spent in there but it's still feels like a work in progress especially with certain audiovisual equipment. no guide to walk or explain for you what's what .. it's written on the infographic though .
Teboho — Google review
There's so much to learn in this small space that you feel overloaded, but still come away with the sense of the magnificence of these great creatures.
The displays are well put together and gives you a scale of just how enormous whales are, but also that they operate in family groups.
I didn't see any offer of guided tours but the museum is well-laid out for visitors.
Kids can also enjoy it.
Duncan Alfreds — Google review
Unfortunately various interactive elements out of order which sadly distracts a bit from an otherwise informative and interesting attraction. Display boards was good and the whale skeleton has the wow factor. Only R5 for a child and then R20 for adult, so does nit break the bank. Ticket gets you access to next door photo exibit and old harbour.
Adriaan Strauss — Google review
A cozy small museum. It does not have an extensive exposition, but a well selected one to make it a right museum at a right place. 30-60 mins should suffice for a visit.
Vladimir Azov — Google review
A must with kids while in Hermanus. It's not a massive museum but full of things to explore and learn.
The Fast and The Furriest Fibi — Google review
It is a wow, tidy space and happy friendly faces💞
Leesy Leesah — Google review
It was nice. Good thing tickets allow you to see the harbour, photo and whale museums. That made it worth it. It was under construction, I'm sure it will be great when all is done!