Hermanus is a picturesque seaside town located on the southern coast of the Western Cape, near the Garden Route. Hermanus is the capital of the Cape Whale Coast, and is known to offer the best land based whale watching in the world. This has transformed...more
Hermanus is a picturesque seaside town located on the southern coast of the Western Cape, near the Garden Route. Hermanus is the capital of the Cape Whale Coast, and is known to offer the best land based whale watching in the world. This has transformed it from a small fishing village into a whale-watching tourism hotspot, but it has still managed to keep its small-town charm. The town also offers several other exciting tourist attractions that will keep visitors enthralled for days. It is home to fascinating museums and historic buildings, nature reserves, beautiful beaches, art galleries, craft and food markets and so much more. Tourists can also go swimming and fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, sand boarding, surfing, and paragliding and can also experience other extreme adventure sports. The town is home to pristine blue flag beaches, which are great for relaxation. Hermanus offers something for everyone; young and old, and keeps them coming back for more. Muslim tourists will be able to find Muslim-friendly facilities in Hermanus.
As mentioned above, Hermanus boasts a variety of activities, including whale watching and is home to the world’s only ‘Whale Crier’ who sounds his kelp horn to announce when he sights a whale. The city is in fact recognized as the world's foremost land based whale watching destination. Hundreds of Southern Right Whales migrate to the Southern and Western coast of South Africa during the winter season, making this the best time to experience their magnificence. Tourists should head down to the large bay which lies between Hermanus and Gansbaai; Walker Bay. Because the whales come incredibly close to the shore, visitors get the chance to see them from a close distance. Tourists also have the opportunity to hop on a boat and to go on a whale watching tour. Cage diving encounters, in Gansbaai, with Great White sharks is another exciting activity. Viewing Great White sharks from a cage should definitely be every tourist’s itinerary.
As Hermanus is located between mountain and the sea, the area is full of fascinating bird species and is a bird watchers delight. It is also ideal for those looking to spend some time in the great outdoors. While here, visitors must take a hike in Fernkloof Nature Reserve, which has about 50 kilometres of hiking trails and biking tracks and covers 1800 hectares in the Kleinrivier Mountains above Hermanus. The tracks and trails found here vary in difficulty, so people of all fitness levels can enjoy a day out at their own pace. Walking along the cliffs in the reserve is a unique experience and tourists are sure to stop to admire the beautiful and diverse flora found here. This nature reserve, found in the Greater Hermanus area, hosts one of the richest of the six floral kingdoms in the world.
There are also several other places in Hermanus that one must visit. These include; The Old Harbour complex, The Kleinriver Lagoon, The Whale Museum, the farmers market and the other museums and art galleries found in and around town.
Cape Town International Airport is the nearest major airport to Hermanus and is the primary airport serving the city of Cape Town. This airport has domestic and international flights and is located about 105 kilometers from the center of Hermanus. Cape Town International Airport is also known to be the second busiest airport in South Africa.
There are a couple of Halal restaurants in Hermanus at which Muslim visitors can dine. Fisherman's Cottage, Fusion Café, Thyme at Rosemarys and Tikka Palace are a few of the restaurants which are said to serve Halal food in Hermanus. Many of these restaurants are either Muslim owned or Halal certified, however it is best for Muslims to make sure the food served is entirely Halal before ordering. Muslim visitors could also dine at local vegetarian and seafood restaurants after making sure the dishes served do not contain any non-Halal items.
Muslim tourists will be able to find mosques and an Islamic center in Hermanus, namely: Al-Masjid al-Hitam and Miriam and Ebrahim Islamic Centre; located at 51 Main Road in the Hermanus CBD. Both serve the growing Muslim population of Hermanus, as well as Muslim visitors.
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Prayer times for Hermanus,South Afr..