Hermanus

Province

Hermanus (originally Hermanuspietersfontein ) is a town in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. It is the administrative center of the municipality over the beach and is located approximately 115 kilometers east of Cape Town in the Overberg district. Hermanus is a popular resort today. In 2011 the town had 32.769 inhabitants.

Geography

Lie one behind the other on a narrow strip between the mountains and the sea several places that make up Greater Hermanus: Fisher Haven, sand down Bay, Hawston, Vermont, Onrus, Chanteclair, Glen Fruin, Sandbaai, Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant, Westcliff, Hermanus Heights, East Cliff and Voëlklip.

History

Hermanus is named after Hermanus Pieters, a teacher of Caledon, who drove to the early 19th century his cattle in the summer months in cooler areas on the coast. When he found a source at the location of today's Hermanus, he hit for a few months at a camp. The place was known at the farmers from Caledon as Hermanuspietersfontein. The first settlers settled here in 1857. The village was founded officially in 1891, after the inhabitants had in 1879 called for a self-management. As the place in 1904 was granted the status of a city, the name was shortened to Hermanus.

At the beginning of the 20th century visited the General Manager of the South African Railway Company, William Hoy, often Hermanus. Impressed by the remoteness of the location, he pushed through that Hermanus has not been connected to the railway and should remain so untouched by day trippers. The station was, however, already built and there is no rail connection until today.

Main source of income was once the whaling.

Attractions

From Hermanus can be observed in the months of July to December Southern Right whales who visit Walker Bay in large numbers. At the peak of the season, in October, about 150 whales off Hermanus are counted regularly.

Above the city is the 15 -square-kilometer nature reserve Fernkloof Nature Reserve. It houses over 1600 plant and 111 bird species.

Every year in September, the Whale Festival takes place, which also includes the world's only Whale Crier is called active.

In Hermanus cliff path there is the Cliff Walk. It runs along the coast through fynbos and rock formations, past small coves and beaches with views of the sea and whales.

Also fynbos and views of Hermanus offers the Rotary Drive.

Beaches

The Grotto Beach is the largest beach in Hermanus and awarded with the Blue Flag. Other beaches are in Voëlklip, Onrus, Kammabaai and Langbaai.