I can confidently state that registered accommodation in Hermanus is of a high standard and a well controlled industry. Apart from municipal regulations which must be adhered to, the establishments all belong to the Tourism Bureau which does its own quality check.

Much of the accommodation is of high quality, catering to the type of tourist who visits Hermanus. But there are plenty of affordable and good value for money establishments available. These range from B & Bs to self-catering and guest lodges. Apart from some boutique hotels, there is the well known and established Windsor Hotel and the upmarket Marine Hotel. Both of them have fabulous sea views and you can just about watch whales from the comfort of your bed!

Peak Seasons in Hermanus
When considering accommodation in Hermanus, bear in mind the peak seasons: During December and January the town is filled to overflowing and you have to book well in advance. Easter weekend is always popular, and the town also gets busy when there are festivals or special events.

Residential Areas of Hermanus

AREA 1: VERMONT: Initially an area of holiday homes, Vermont has become increasingly populated by locals as property prices in Hermanus escalated. In fact, traffic at peak times has become quite a problem. It is a hilly area which provides some panoramic sea views. Apart from the tiny cove of Breakfast Bay, there are no swimming facilities. It is a fairly large area served by The Trading Post where Vermont borders with Onrus River. There you will find a superette, liquor store, chemist, pub, butcher, video store and some other retail or service outlets. Depending on traffic, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to drive to Hermanus.

AREA 2: ONRUS: A charming and old established hamlet, Onrus was exceptionally popular with writers and artists. It has a picturesque camping sight right beside the ocean. There are 3 or 4 restaurants, a superette or 2, and basic shopping is available at The Trading Post. Onrus has a lovely beach, although swimming must be undertaken with care as the currents are quite strong. The beach is very popular with surfers and boarders. The Onrus river forms a lagoon at the beach, and this is quite safe for children to swim in. There are good ablution facilities and there is a restaurant overlooking the beach. Like Vermont, work on 15 to 30 minutes to get to Hermanus.

AREA 3: HEMEL-EN-AARDE (Heaven & Earth): As one drives toward Hermanus from Vermont or Onrus, one passes the Hemel-en-Aarde Village. There you’ll find the Wine Village offering one of the biggest wine selections in the country. It is also home to artists, a nursery, galleries and restaurants. Just across the road is the Hemel-en-Aarde Estate, a fairly new residential village. There are no sea views, but the view of the mountains behind it is lovely. The road is the entrance to the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the Hermanus Wine Wander.

AREA 4: SANDBAAI: This residential area lies opposite Hemel-en-Aarde and is a mix of holiday homes and permanent residents. It is a flat area, and the beach is popular with snorkellers as there are plenty of tidal pools. The beach is safe for swimming.

AREA 5: ZWELIHLE & MOUNT PLEASANT: Zwelihle is a “black”township established during the apartheid era and now has a modern, thriving community. Mount Pleasant, like Zwelihle, was created as a residential area for people of colour. There is only one accommodation establishment there: Mount Pleasant Backpackers.

AREA 6: INDUSTRIAL AREA: Some entertainment spots are to be found, but obviously no accommodation.

AREA 7: WESTCLIFF: Plenty of guest houses, most of them upmarket. The reason is obvious – Westcliff hugs the western shoreline and has grand views of the bay. The rocks are rough and provide plenty of sea sound! Whales snuggle in close to shore and a walk along the cliff path provides plenty of sightings. The road through Westcliff ends at the New Harbour, where there are restaurants and a pub, scuba diving, fishing, and the whale watching boats. Can you walk to the harbour or to town? It depends whereabouts your place of accommodation is situated. For the average person a trip to the the centre of town is merely a brisk stroll, but it can become tiresome if you’re lugging heavy bags of groceries on the way back! While you can walk to restaurants in the evening, it’s advisable to arrange for transport to get you back to your base later the night.

AREA 8: CENTRAL HERMANUS: The central area of Hermanus is quite compact and can be easily walked. You’ll have access to the shops and restaurants – meaning you can enjoy that extra glass of very good wine at a restaurant without having to worry about how you’re going to get home! As with most areas, the accommodation establishments with sea views are usually more upmarket and expensive, but there are other options available. Remember, you can’t see the ocean at night, and if you can walk there during the day that’s fine with most people.

AREA 9: NORTHCLIFF: One of the older residential areas and pretty much filled with locals. You’ll find some well priced establishments in this part of Hermanus, and the views of the mountains are great. You can easily walk to town from most parts of Northcliff, though you shouldn’t carry too many heavy parcels.

AREA 10: EASTCLIFF: This is a well established, leafy suburb. There’s quite a choice of accommodation and access to the cliff  paths is nearby. From some parts of Eastcliff one could walk into town. There are mountain views and the suburb has a good supermarket.

AREA 11: GOLF COURSE AREA: One of the most beautiful in the country. A huge development of 600 homes is taking place, and there will undoubtedly be some accommodation establishments available soon.

AREA 12: HERMANUS HEIGHTS: One of the newer suburbs and overlooking the golf course, Hermanus Heights boasts some of the biggest houses in Hermanus. It lies in the shadow of the Raed na Gael mountain (meaning Road To The Chiefs) and provides lovely views across the bay. On a still day you can hear the whales blowing, even though it is quite a distance from the sea.

AREA 13: FERNKLOOF: An old, stately part of Hermanus set among trees. Lovely mountain views, while some sections offer sea views as well. It’s adjacent to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and overlooks part of the golf course.

AREA 14: KWAAIWATER (Angry Water): A small area which lies off both sides of the main road. The coastal side is narrow, consisting of one street. The sea views are magnificent, and even when the water is rough you usually find whales. Kwaaiwater has small, pebbly beach which is not suited for swimming, but it’s a popular spot for sundowners.

AREA 15: MOSSEL RIVER: Mossel River is a small, tranquil residential area. There are currently no accommodation establishments there, although one can find houses for rent – especially during the summer season.

AREA 16: VOËLKLIP (Bird Rock): A large residential area consisting mainly of holiday homes. A section of Voëlkip lies up against the mountain, the rest close to the shore. Here’s where you’ll find most of the beaches: the famous Blue Flag Grotto Beach, Voëlkip Beach, Kammabaai, Langbaai. When selecting a place to stay and it’s important for you to walk to a beach, make sure about the location upfront. You have to use transport to get to the centre of town. There is a Seven Eleven store in the area.

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