What to do in Hermanus

It’s usually Hermanus that steals the show when it comes to whale-watching, but the drive along the picture-perfect coastal road from Cape Town through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is just as spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic creatures as you go and when you reach Hermanus, stretch your legs with a stroll through the galleries, bookstores and boutiques. After a lazy lunch, head into the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde for a taste of the grapes from a cool-climate region, in particular the South African speciality, Pinot Noir.

The Hemel-en-Aarde road takes you into the hilly wine country beyond Hermanus. The cool ocean air enriches these vineyards and the small-scale production keeps things personal. Enjoy a different view into the valley at each farm, sipping a crisp sauvignon blanc or tucking into a delicious food and wine pairing.

When you see the dorsal fin silently slice the clear water, you know a Great White Shark has arrived near your boat. Secured in a special steel cage, you then descend below the surface for a little one-on-one with this terrifying, beautiful creature - it's nerve-wrecking, yet extremely rewarding.

This marine expedition starts with a boat trip to Dyer Island and the infamous ‘Shark Alley’, where you’ll dive with the ultimate underwater predator, the great white shark. Whilst the morning is an adventure of the adrenaline-filled variety, the afternoon brings a more sedate activity: wine-tasting. Choose to explore the pretty town of Stanford, the grape-strewn Hemel-en-Aarde Valley or Bot River and enjoy a leisurely lunch amid the vines and a wine-tasting or pairing at one of the many world-class estates in this part of the world.

This tour is as much about spectacular scenery (Hemel-en-Aarde directly translates as ‘Heaven and Earth’ which gives the game away a little!) as it is about darn good wine. The day starts with a drive along the picture-perfect Cape Whale Route through the quaint towns of the Western Cape, taking in views of fynbos-clad hillsides and the dazzling Atlantic Ocean. Once in the idyllic valley protected by the Babylonstoren Mountains, you’ll stop off for a few different wine tastings in which the critically acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay will certainly make an appearance. Living up to its name, the wine estates of Hemel-en-Aarde are certainly unique, from the church-like Ataraxia Wine Lounge on a secluded hilltop, the chart-topping ocean views from La Vierge to the delightful Creation Estate. Lunch is served at its award-winning restaurant that’s a feast for the senses, and in the afternoon, you’ll sabrage your own bottle of bubbly from the region’s only MCC-producer. Add a drive down to nearby Hermanus to your day for a spot of whalewatching!