Hermanus is a coastal town situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 120km southeast of Cape Town. It is known for its whale watching, with the Southern Right Whale visiting the Walker Bay area from June to November each year. Hermanus is a popular holiday destination for locals and international visitors alike.
The town is located on the southern coast of the Overberg region, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated between the towns of Stanford and Gansbaai, and is bordered by the Kleinrivier Mountains to the north and the Hermanus Mountains to the east. The town is known for its rugged coastline, with many coves, bays and beaches.
Hermanus was founded in 1855 by Dutch settlers and was initially named Hermanuspietersfontein. The town was named after Hermanus Pieters, a Dutch Reformed Church minister, who was instrumental in establishing the town.
Hermanus has a long and rich history, with many important historical events taking place in the town. One of the most significant events was the establishment of the Hermanus Naval Base in the mid-19th century. During the Second Boer War, the British Navy used the base to protect the Cape Colony from the Boer forces. In addition, Hermanus was the site of the first post office in South Africa, which opened in 1858.
Hermanus is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The town is home to a variety of art galleries, museums and cultural centres, as well as a number of festivals and events. These include the Hermanus Whale Festival, the Hermanus Wine Festival, and the Hermanus FynArts Festival.
Hermanus is a beautiful coastal town with a rich history and culture. It is a popular holiday destination for locals and international visitors alike, and is renowned for its whale watching and stunning scenery.
Experience Hermanus with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Hermanus. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Hermanus in South Africa has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. In summer (December to February) temperatures range from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the area experiences very little rainfall. Spring (September to November) is mild and wet, with temperatures ranging from 14 to 22 degrees Celsius and regular rainfall. Autumn (March to May) is mild and dry, with temperatures ranging from 12 to 22 degrees Celsius and little rainfall. Winter (June to August) is cool and wet, with temperatures ranging from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius and regular rainfall.
Our weather forecast for Hermanus helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 21st 2026 Jan. 21st 2026 | max: 23.3 °C min: 17.9 °C |
45.0 m/s 50.0 m/s |
0.0 % 24.1 m |
69.7 % 1,013 hPa |
05:52:27 19:55:50 |
|
| Jan. 22nd 2026 Jan. 22nd 2026 | max: 19.6 °C min: 17.8 °C |
25.9 m/s 32.4 m/s |
50.0 % 24.1 m |
78.7 % 1,012 hPa |
05:53:27 19:55:22 |
|
| Jan. 23rd 2026 Jan. 23rd 2026 | max: 18.5 °C min: 17.3 °C |
17.3 m/s 17.6 m/s |
49.2 % 24.1 m |
63.4 % 1,016 hPa |
05:54:28 19:54:52 |
|
| Jan. 24th 2026 Jan. 24th 2026 | max: 20.5 °C min: 17.2 °C |
19.8 m/s 26.3 m/s |
1.4 % 22.5 m |
75.6 % 1,016 hPa |
05:55:29 19:54:21 |
|
| Jan. 25th 2026 Jan. 25th 2026 | max: 21.4 °C min: 18.7 °C |
16.6 m/s 20.2 m/s |
25.0 % 23.4 m |
79.3 % 1,016 hPa |
05:56:30 19:53:48 |
|
| Jan. 26th 2026 Jan. 26th 2026 | max: 20.3 °C min: 18.7 °C |
24.5 m/s 31.7 m/s |
6.5 % 21.2 m |
83.9 % 1,015 hPa |
05:57:31 19:53:13 |
|
| Jan. 27th 2026 Jan. 27th 2026 | max: 20.7 °C min: 18.4 °C |
26.3 m/s 27.7 m/s |
21.4 % 24.1 m |
79.4 % 1,016 hPa |
05:58:32 19:52:36 |
|
| Jan. 28th 2026 Jan. 28th 2026 | max: 21.4 °C min: 19 °C |
36.4 m/s 36.0 m/s |
39.6 % 24.1 m |
78.9 % 1,016 hPa |
05:59:33 19:51:58 |
|
| Jan. 29th 2026 Jan. 29th 2026 | max: 20.4 °C min: 18.4 °C |
29.5 m/s 34.2 m/s |
86.5 % 24.1 m |
81.0 % 1,016 hPa |
06:00:34 19:51:18 |
|
| Jan. 30th 2026 Jan. 30th 2026 | max: 22.7 °C min: 19.3 °C |
38.2 m/s 43.9 m/s |
74.4 % 24.1 m |
84.5 % 1,016 hPa |
06:01:35 19:50:37 |
|
| Jan. 31st 2026 Jan. 31st 2026 | max: 23.3 °C min: 19.5 °C |
30.6 m/s 37.8 m/s |
0.6 % 24.1 m |
83.4 % 1,017 hPa |
06:02:36 19:49:54 |
|
| Feb. 1st 2026 Feb. 1st 2026 | max: 23.9 °C min: 19.5 °C |
35.6 m/s 40.7 m/s |
0.7 % 24.1 m |
81.1 % 1,016 hPa |
06:03:37 19:49:09 |
|
| Feb. 2nd 2026 Feb. 2nd 2026 | max: 21.0 °C min: 19.6 °C |
19.4 m/s 19.4 m/s |
12.1 % 18.3 m |
86.8 % 1,014 hPa |
06:04:38 19:48:23 |
|
| Feb. 3rd 2026 Feb. 3rd 2026 | max: 20.4 °C min: 19.3 °C |
35.6 m/s 48.6 m/s |
21.9 % 20.0 m |
83.2 % 1,015 hPa |
06:05:39 19:47:35 |
|
| Feb. 4th 2026 Feb. 4th 2026 | max: 21.9 °C min: 18 °C |
41.0 m/s 47.9 m/s |
35.5 % 24.1 m |
63.1 % 1,019 hPa |
06:06:40 19:46:46 |
Would you like to travel to Hermanus on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Hermanus.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16th 2026 Monday, 16th of Nov. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 08:00 am | 02:00 pm | |
| Dec. 20th 2026 Sunday, 20th of Dec. 2026 | HANSEATIC spirit | 199 - 230 | 01:00 pm | 07:00 pm | |
| Nov. 23rd 2027 Tuesday, 23rd of Nov. 2027 | HANSEATIC nature | 199 - 230 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
| Mar. 24th 2028 Friday, 24th of Mar. 2028 | HANSEATIC nature | 199 - 230 | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.
- There are no photos available for Hermanus yet.
Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!
There are a few basic rules to follow
.| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Cape Town in South Africa | 93,17 km |
| Langebaan in South Africa | 186,24 km |
| Mossel Bay in South Africa | 261,55 km |
