Things to Do

activities for nature lovers, families, couples, and adventure seekers

The beautiful Overberg and Hemel-en-Aarde Valley offer endless activities for nature lovers, families, couples, and adventure seekers. From renowned wine routes and mountain biking trails to horse riding, hiking, paintball, quad biking, canopy tours, and water sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy during their farm stay near Hermanus.

Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and open countryside,  High Season Farm is perfectly positioned for guests wanting to experience the natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle of the Overberg. Enjoy scenic walking and hiking trails, birdwatching, wildlife, and eco-friendly farm experiences in a peaceful setting ideal for families and large groups.

Nearby Hermanus is famous for its excellent restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries, museums, and vibrant craft markets. The area is also one of the world’s best destinations for whale watching, with spectacular cliff paths and beautiful beaches along the coastline.

For more adventure, guests can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, kite surfing, paragliding, sandboarding, and shark cage diving in Gansbaai — all within easy reach of the farm.

Beautiful Beaches

Hermanus is home to some of the finest beaches in the world. There are several beaches from which to choose, Grotto being possibly the most popular with it’s picturesque mountain backdrop and expansive powdery white beach sand. In addition see the following:

  • Grotto Beach
    Blue Flag beach status stretching for kilometres. Dutchies restaurant, a play park, lots of parking and excellent ablution facilities make this a favourite beach amongst the holiday makers. Grotto beach is situated towards the Voëlklip side of Hermanus.
  • Hawston
    In the village of Hawston, magnificent beach, picnic & BBQ areas. Voëlklip Ablution facilities, good surf spot and great sun tanning.
  • Langbaai
    Just beautiful
  • Kammabaai also known as Nanny’s Beach
    Great surf spot, picnic and BBQ areas. Definite family favourite.
  • Sandbaai
    Rock pools, great snorkelling
  • Onrus Beach
    Great body boarding & surfing, very safe swimming.
  • Breakfast Bay
    Situated at Vermont. Good picnic spot, sheltered beach. Very popular with sand boarders.

Bird watching

Hermanus is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It is the fastest growing ecotourist commodity in the world and Hermanus and its surrounding areas are a twitcher’s paradise. Few other areas can offer fynbos, mountain, coastal, river and estuarine habitats in such compact terrain with such easy access.

Contact Mike Ford 028 316 4790.

Cycling

  • Fernkloof Mountain biking trail
  • Eastcliff cycling track

Eating Out

Hermanus has the most fabulous selections of restaurants and eateries to choose from. If you’re looking for something quick and easy or a long leisurely lunch there’s something to please each and every palate. Click HERE for a list of restaurants in and around Hermanus.

Fishing

Fishing enthusiasts will find a variety of excellent fishing spots in and around Hermanus, catering to both casual anglers and experienced fishermen. The Overberg offers everything from peaceful river and lagoon fishing to fly-fishing in stocked farm dams surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Saltwater fishing is also popular along the coastline, whether from a hired boat, the New Harbour pier, or directly off the rocks. Guided fishing charters and organised day trips can easily be arranged for guests wanting to experience some of the best fishing opportunities in the region. Fly-fishing has become increasingly popular in the area, attracting visitors looking for a relaxing outdoor activity in the tranquil surroundings of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Fishing permits are available from local post offices, and guests are encouraged to familiarise themselves with local fishing regulations before setting out.

Festivals and Events

There are numerous festivals happening through out the year, and these events always attract hordes of people. So if you don’t like crowds, stay away but if you enjoy a bit of festivity take note of the events listed below. The dates vary from year to year and can be obtained from the Tourism Bureau on 028 312 2629

  • Sandbaai Kalfiefees (baby whale festival)
  • Hermanus Whale Festival
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Mountain Run
  • Sandbaai Fish Bash
  • Hermanus Mountain Bike race
  • The Wildflower Festival (Our favourite!)

Hiking

Hermanus is renowned for its spectacular walking and hiking trails, offering some of the most scenic coastal and mountain walks in South Africa. Whether you prefer gentle seaside strolls or more challenging mountain hikes, the area offers unforgettable outdoor experiences for nature lovers, families, and adventure seekers. The famous Hermanus Cliff Path stretches for approximately 15 km from Grotto Beach to the New Harbour, with breathtaking ocean views, whale watching opportunities, and beautifully positioned viewing benches along the way. Large sections of the path are wheelchair and pram friendly, making it ideal for families with children and guests wanting to enjoy the coastline at a relaxed pace. For more energetic hikers, the surrounding mountains and the Fernkloof Nature Reserve offer over 50 km of hiking and mountain trails through pristine fynbos landscapes rich in birdlife and indigenous flora. The reserve is easily accessed from the Voëlklip area and is a must-visit destination for walkers, hikers, and eco-tourism enthusiasts visiting the Overberg. Guests are encouraged to carry water, sunscreen, and a warm jacket, as weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains and along the coast. Walking with a companion is always recommended. Personalised guided tours and outdoor activities can also be arranged for guests staying at  High Season Farm.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is one of the most celebrated attractions in Hermanus and is regarded as some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. Every year, southern right whales return to the coastline, offering visitors unforgettable close-up sightings from the shore. The famous Hermanus Cliff Paths provide spectacular vantage points for whale watching, with scenic walking trails and viewing benches perfectly positioned along the coastline. Guests can relax and take in the breathtaking beauty of the ocean while watching whales breach, swim, and play in the bay below. The combination of dramatic coastal scenery, accessible viewing points, and the peaceful natural surroundings makes whale watching in Hermanus a truly unique experience for nature lovers, photographers, and families visiting the Overberg. Guests staying at  High Season Farm  are ideally located to explore the whale coast and enjoy one of South Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.

Abalone

Take a guided tour of the local Abalone cultivation plant which exports Abalone worldwide.

Fishing charters

Easily organised by experienced charter companies.
Contact: Blue Wave Charters – 028 388 0034

Golfing

Arabella
Hermanus Golf Course
Kleinbaai Golf Course
Tel: 028 – 384 1441

Horse Riding

  • Cape Nature Conservation
    off 7th Street (the main road through Voëlklip) up 17th Avenue
    Tel: 082 729 7776
  • Cloud’s End Riding Centre
    Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
    082 351 6565
  • Arabella, Equestrian Horse Centre
    Kleinmond, Ysterklip Farm
    Contact Matt or Sarah
    Tel: 083 362 1046
  • Horse Trail Safaris
    Tel: 082 729 7776
  • African Horse Company (Stanford)
    Tel: 082 667 9232

Markets

  • Fernkloof Farmer’s Market (Fernkloof Nature Reserve)
    From 07H00 to 11H30 every Saturday Morning
    Famous for fresh vegetables, cheeses, breads, preserves and more. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and on occasion a Marimba band or some other form of entertainment will occupy you.
  • Market Square – Central Hermanus
    From 09H00 to 14H00 Weekends (Some stalls operate throughout the week)
    Crafts, curios, gemstones, clothing, Township art etc
  • Hermanus Pietersfontein Boeremark/Farmers Market (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
    From 08H00 – 14H00 Saturdays
    Cheeses, olives, wine, oils, organic vegetables, breads, home bakes, preserved meats etc
    Enjoy a delicious breakfast while you shop for your favourite delicacies.

Museums

  • De Wet’s House Photo Museum.
    Once the School House, situated near the Dutch Reformed Church, it was dismantled and moved, brick by brick to Lemm’ Corner (the Market Place) in 1986. 028 313 0418
  • The Whale Museum is situated behind the Market Place. This museum displays a skeleton of a southern right whale. Lots of whale information, touch screens and other artefacts.
  • The Whale Show
    This unique audiovisual presentation is shown daily at the museum which will make this experience even more memorable. Nigel Ashton, using his paintings and scientific illustrations, will take you below the surface and bring you face to face with these magnificent ocean travelers, telling the story of their fascinating underwater lives, with a special focus on the visiting southern right whales and whale identification. Shows are at 10h00, 12h00 and 15h00.
  • At the old harbour:
    Old Harbour Museum. Efforts are being made to restore the remnants of the original old fishing boats which were used by local fishermen between 1955 and 1961. The museum contains several exhibits depicting the history of the fishing and whaling industry in the area.

Nature Reserves

Fernkloof Nature Reserve (Fynbos)

There is no other recorded place on earth where as many different species of fynbos can be seen growing in such close proximity as in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. A total of 1474 species have been collected and identified to date. Fynbos is endemic to the Western Cape and can be seen in abundance along the famous Hermanus Cliff Paths.

Paintball

  • Delta
    Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
    082 499 0209
  • Nam Paintball VIET EXPERIENCE
    Gansbaai
    Tel: 072 552 4847

Quad Biking

  • Clinton Lerm
    Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
    083 517 3635
  • Quad Adventures (guided nature trails)
    Guided quad bike tours for young and old.
    Tel: 082 597 4720

Scuba Diving

With several wrecks in the Hermanus and Gansbaai areas, scuba diving is popular with dives varying in depth from 9m to 40 m. Reefs are accessible by boat but experienced divers will guide you to shore entry points. Scuba diving can be done at Hermanus and nearby Gansbaai. There are several wrecks that can be explored and various reefs ranging in depth from 9m to 40m. Most reefs are only accessible by boat, but shore entries are possible at certain points.

Shark Cage Diving (Gansbaai)

White shark cage diving has become one of South Africa’s most exciting and internationally recognised tourist attractions, with many professional dive operators based in Gansbaai, just a short drive from Hermanus and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This unforgettable marine experience offers guests the opportunity to see magnificent great white sharks in their natural environment. For those who prefer to stay dry, boat-based shark viewing is equally fascinating, allowing visitors to safely experience these incredible predators up close without entering the cage. Many tours also include visits to Dyer Island, home to a colony of African penguins, as well as Geyser Rock, famous for its large Cape fur seal colony and rich marine life. Shark cage diving excursions depart daily from Kleinbaai Harbour near Gansbaai, weather permitting, and can easily be arranged for guests staying at  High Season Farm.

Shopping

The village is a feast for shoppers. With the most interesting little shops, speciality stores, boutiques and the craft market including the farmers market at the Hemel-En-Aarde valley which is held on a Saturday, there’s something to please even the most discerning shopper.

Township tours

Take a tour into a South African Black Township. Walking tours are offered daily to the Zwelihle Township.

Wine Route

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Tucked into the folds of the Glen Vauloch Mountains on the outskirts of Hermanus, lies the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is here that wine lovers can treat themselves to a unique wine tour among some of the southernmost vineyards in Africa, with only the Cape Agulhas vineyards being further south. Bouchard Finlayson estate is situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 6km from the Sandbaai intersection of the R43 and R320 roads.

Other wine farms in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley:

  • Hermanuspietersfontein Vineyards
  • Whalehaven Wines
    Tel: 028 – 316 1633
  • Southern Right
    Tel: 028 – 312 1318
  • Hamilton Russel Vineyards
  • Bouchard Finlayson
    Tel: 028 – 312 3515
  • La Vierge
  • Sumaridge
  • Newton Johnson Wines
  • Creation Wines
    Tel: 028 – 212 1107
  • Hemelzicht
  • Ataraxia Mountain Vineyards
  • Dispore Kamma Boutique Winery
  • Boschrivier
  • Raka Near Stanford on the R326
  • Stanford Hills Vineyard
  • Mount Babylon
  • Beaumont (Botriver)
  • Wildekrans Wines (Botriver)
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Village (At intersection of the R43 and the R320)
    The Hemel-en-Aarde Village is situated at the Main Road and Sandbaai intersection. Restaurants in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village complex, our very own Village Restaurant, B’s Steakhouse and Incredible Fish, will supply sumptuous meals.

You can also explore the myriad of shops in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village. Season’s Restaurant, Southern Art Ceramics, The Village Farm Stall, Ralph Walton Jewellery Design, Walker Bay Nursery and Sylvia Smith’s Gallery.

Whalehaven is situated only 150 metres from the intersection on the Caledon road.

Hermanuspietersfontein Cellars are located very close to Whalehaven. Do pop in to their taste room. Experience 16 of the best of South Africa’s Sauvignon Blancs. Avail yourself of the opportunity to taste and compare the differences between regions and wine making styles. They are open to cellar tours.