“Oom Otto” die storie van Sopiesklip

“Oom Otto” die storie van Sopiesklip

“Oom Otto” die storie van Sopiesklip in Hermanus

Jacobus Claude (Kowie) Otto wat destyds in die grot by Sopiesklip “gekampeer” het, was allermins ‘n kluisenaar of boemelaar soos wat dit uit verskillende oorde al beweer is

The Old Whaling Station at Stoney Point, Betty’s Bay

The Old Whaling Station at Stoney Point, Betty’s Bay

Situated in Betty’s Bay and close to the Stony Point Penguin Colony, lies a site that was once a place of terrible cruelty and devastation, the Waaygat Whaling Station.

The History of Fisherhaven

The History of Fisherhaven

In 1674

the kraal of Captain Klaas/Dorha is recorded just west of the Bot River. The Hesseque people frequently camped on the banks of the Bot River and watered their cattle. They called the river Gouga, meaning “much butter”, which was then translated by the early travellers into Botter and later shortened to Bot. The old Mill in the village of Bot River is the location of the cattle trading post, where VOC obtained cattle from the Khoekhoe.

Hermanus had thirteen Hotels in the golden and olden days.

List of the Hotels and their locations in and around Hermanus, South Africa. Quite amazing that Hermanus hosted so many hotels when it was just a little fishing village.  One of the reasons could perhaps have been just that — the tranquillity of the place that people flocked to and the abundance of fish in the bay. 

Hermanus had thirteen Hotels in the golden and olden days.

Two sparrows on the Humblest Coin in South Africa

Two sparrows on the Humblest Coin in South Africa

Genadendal - A small village with a mission in South Africa

Genadendal translated to English and known as Valley of Grace and was established in 1738 by George Schmidt, a German Missionary, sent by the United Brethren (Moravian Church) to preach the gospel to the Khoi.



Genadendal - A small village with a mission in South Africa

Hermanus, a popular a seaside village

Nestled between lush green mountains and the turquoise ocean close to the southern tip of Africa lies the magnificent village of Hermanus. This is the wine and whales heartland of the beautiful Cape, home to migrating Southern Right Whales and where splendid wines are grown. Here breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world class whale watching and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories.

Hermanus, a popular a seaside village

Local Hermanus fisherman, Bill Selkirk, caught the world’s biggest man-eating shark with a rod and reel in 1922

The story of a Local Hermanus fisherman, Bill Selkirk, caught the world’s biggest man-eating shark ( 2,176 lbs (967 kg) with a rod and reel in 1922 in Hermanus

Local Hermanus fisherman, Bill Selkirk, caught the world’s biggest man-eating shark with a rod and reel in 1922

Hawston and it's history

Close to Hermanus, the town of Hawston with its long, white unspoilt beach lies cosily between the sea and the mountain. It is thought that long ago the Quena (Khoi-Khoi) grazed their cattle in the area.

Hawston and it's history

Whale Watching in Hermanus

Did you see Whales in Hermanus? Hermanus is known as the land based whale capital of the world, you can see whales frolicking from the winding coastline, observe from the benches along the cliff paths.

Whale Watching in Hermanus

8 Wine farms and wineries along the Stanford Wine Route

The Stanford Wine Route in South Africa is an up and coming area in the Overberg. Wine Estates here are producing award winning, cool climate wines. Visit one of the 8 Wine farms and wineries along the Stanford Wine Route

8 Wine farms and wineries along the Stanford Wine Route

5 original ways to explore Hermanus on foot

If you are a regular visitor to Hermanus, you may well be enticed into enjoying one of these special walking tours, each offering the chance to gain more knowledge while, at the same time, exploring this wonderful, and very walkable, town. Here are five original ways to explore Hermanus on foot.

5 original ways to explore Hermanus on foot

6 Iconic museums that depict the colorful lives on the Cape Whale Coast in the times of shipwrecks and whaling.

6 Iconic museums that depict the colorful lives on the Cape Whale Coast in the times of shipwrecks and whaling.

African Fish-Eagle - Visarend

African Fish-Eagle - Visarend

Our Namaqualand Heritage - Namaqua Food Flavour

Life in Namaqualand during the early years of the nineteenth century left the white farmers no time at all for planting crops or erecting permanent homes.Life in Namaqualand during the early years of the nineteenth century left the white farmers no time at all for planting crops or erecting permanent homes.

In this semi-desert area, isolated and often stricken by droughts, the Namaqualand family learnt to be thrifty and to utilize natures’ reluctant offerings to the full (or – the families of Namaqualand learnt both to live frugally and to utilize and enjoy the somewhat meagre offerings of nature).

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For Surfers... Tidal tables for Hermanus, including sunrise and sunset times from 10 - 19 Nov 2017

Hermanus Tide table: 10 - 19 Nov 2017)
Tidal prediction (tables and graphs) for Hermanus, including sunrise and sunset times

Click here for the chart

Visit Hermanus this summer and stay at Lavender Manor Guest Lodge

Lavender Manor Guest Lodge is a luxury guest house in Hermanus and an owner managed , the heart of the picturesque Cape Whale Coast near Cape Town. Hermanus accommodation at its finest, Lavender Manor offers stunning sea view accommodation and warm, relaxed hospitality that you can afford.

Spectacular Sea Views and Whale Watching at Grotto Beach

This guest house Overlooking famous Blue Flag Grotto Beach and the whale sanctuary of Walker Bay, you are within two minutes walk of the various magnificent beaches in the area as well as the famous scenic cliff path. Relax in the cosy pool area, enjoy a refreshing drink at the fully licensed sea view pub, and watch the magical whales and the incredible sunsets over the Atlantic ocean from the upstairs patios and sundowner decks. An affordable, 4 star luxury guest house at its best.

What is the Dam levels in the Western Cape on 16 October 2017

In 2017 The average water level of dams across the Western Cape is 35.2%‚ a significant drop from the levels measured last year.

Capacity of the major dams of the Western Cape Water Supply System is 99.6% and that of the minor dams 0.4% of the combined capacity of the major and minor dams. Kindly note that all the Major Dams show gross capacity

CLICK TO get a list of all the Western Cape Dam levels

Where did all the african penguins go?

We have lost 99% of our African Penguin population through no fault of their own.

We all know that Africa is not for “sissies” and the African Penguin is a perfect example of African tenaciousness.  The story of the African penguin is not a good story to tell. This iconic bird is on the brink of extinction. 

READ FULL STORY HERE