Lavender Manor Guest Lodge is an upmarket but affordable guest house (bed and breakfast) that provide Hermanus accommodation at its absolute best. The guest house is two-minutes walk away from famous Blue Flag Grotto Beach and the magnificent cliff path, which will lead you along the beaches and rocky coast to surprising finds of sandy coves and on to the centre of Hermanus. Grotto Beach stretches for 20 km along an unspoilt and pristine coastline. During the whale season Lavender Manor guest house will be the perfect base for excellent whale watching. You will not find better accommodation in Hermanus to enjoy all the activities listed below.
Whale watching all along the Cape Whale coastline from June to December
Boat based whale watching (June to Dec) - In season five permit holding boats launch tree times per day from Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinbaai harbours.
Whale watching from the air. - Plane whale watching trips are offered by a local operator as well as helicopter trips from Cape Town.
Whale Crier - Hermanus boasts the world’s only whale crier. Listen for the kelp horn blow to indicate where you can watch the whales on land.
Deep sea fishing - Fishing charters are available from Hermanus and Gansbaai
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling - A number of companies in Hermanus and Gansbaai offer scuba diving trips. You will need experience for these dives.
Scuba Diving and snorkelling trips by boat. - Board a luxury catamaran from where you can dive on reefs around Hermanus and as far as Gansbaai.
Eco Marine Boat trips to Dyer Island & Shark Alley! - The only place in the world from where you have the possibility to see the full Marine Big 5; seals, sharks, whales, dolphins and penguins, - all on one trip
Sea Kayaking - Daily trips from Gansbaai and Hermanus. Extremely weather depending
Surfing and Body boarding - Voëlklip, Grotto, De Kelders, Die Plaat, Gansbaai, Danger Point and Kleinmond all boast famous surfer waves!
Diving and Spearfishing - Diving and spear fishing can be done all along the coast.
Ask the local fishing companies for the best spots according to your preference. Permits are required and can be obtained from the local post offices.
Beaches - Swimming, Sun Bathing and or hiking - Safe swimming from numerous sandy beaches all along the whale coast. Blue Flag status on 3 of the beaches in the areas
Mountain Bike Trails - Mountainous, beach and forest habitats offer trails for cycle enthusiasts; from beginners to serious professionals.
Hiking Trails: The Cape Whale Coast lies in the middle of the world’s smallest floral kingdom; The Fynbos Floral Kingdom. Various hiking routes trail through these habitats. Stunning panoramic views!
Hermanus; Fynbos cladded cliff path along the coast ( excellent whale watching in season) Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus,
Kleinmond: Harold Porter Botanical Gardens Kogelberg Biosphere,
Gansbaai: Platbos, Grootbos, The Fynbos Trail that stretches over n number of farms.
Beach hiking trails undertaken on Die Plaat, Gansbaai.
Horse Riding - Stanford, Gansbaai, Hermanus offers horse riding on the beach mountains
Arabella ( Kleinmond) offers horse riding on the beach as well as the lagoon where you might encounter the famous wild horses
Golf - World Class golf courses in Hermanus and Arabella Golf Courses
The Hermanus Golf Club has become one of the most popular golf courses in the country - a definite 'must play' course.
The Arabella Country Estate, near Kleinmond is home to one of the top ranked golf courses in South Africa, with pristine grass, tricky sand traps and challenging water hazards on the golf estate.
Sports - tennis, squash,
Bird Watching - A birders’ paradise! Sea-, shore-, fynbos-, as well as garden birding. Pelagic bird trips also available in Gansbaai.
Quad Biking - Adventure trails through vineyards, mountain, on the beach.
Follow this link to ALL ACTIVITIES
Follow this link to INDOOR ACTIVITIES
