In a nutshell
- Hermanus is a fantastic destination for families and the perfect stopover on the way from Cape Town to the Garden Route.
- There are so many great things to do in Hermanus with kids. Our personal favorites are the Klipgat Caves, the penguins in Betty’s Bay, and of course the whales.
- Our top hotel pick for families in Hermanus is the Whale Coast All-Suite Hotel — spacious apartments in a central location, ideal for families.
Our Highlights with Kids in Hermanus
Hermanus has so much to offer for families. We’ll show you which attractions we loved most. For general info about the town, also check out our complete Hermanus travel guide.
Whale Watching with Kids
Whale watching is a wonderful experience for kids of all ages. In Hermanus, whales come close to the shore between June and November, and you can watch them leap right out of the water.
A truly special experience for kids is a whale watching boat tour. There are various operators; the shortest tours last about two hours and are suitable for all ages.
Hermanus Cliff Path with Kids
The Hermanus Cliff Path is the top attraction in town and is totally doable with kids too. The path is mostly flat and well maintained.
Along the way, you’ll keep spotting little dassies — they look a bit like groundhogs, and kids absolutely love them.
The full path is 12 km long, which is way too far for younger kids. What we did was walk just a section at a time and pair it with a fun destination at the end — a restaurant or a playground works perfectly.
For example, you could park at the Hermanus Whale Watching Point, grab an ice cream at Gelato Mania, let the kids run wild at the playground, then head along the Cliff Path to look for dassies, and walk back. There are plenty of restaurants in that area too.
The path can generally be walked with a travel stroller as well. It gets a little bumpy in spots, but it’s manageable.
Onrus Beach: The Best Beach with Kids
There are plenty of beaches around Hermanus, but the best one for families is in Onrus, a small suburb just outside town.
Onrus Beach has a lagoon where the water is shallow and current-free — seriously perfect for little ones.
Right by the lagoon you’ll find the restaurant Milk on the Beach. We set up camp in the shady restaurant and took turns keeping an eye on the kids at the water.
Klipgat Caves: For Little Cave Explorers
Visiting the Klipgat Caves is a must when visiting Hermanus with kids. The massive caves are genuinely impressive. Several signs vividly depict the people who lived there thousands of years ago — super exciting for curious kids!
You’ll find some reports online suggesting the trail to the caves is too difficult for young children. We tried it ourselves and can’t confirm that at all.
With two toddlers, the trail was no problem whatsoever. In a few spots you need to scramble over some large rocks, but it’s really not that hard.
Penguin Watching in Betty's Bay
You’ve probably already got the penguins at Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula on your South Africa itinerary. We recommend those in our article Cape Town with Kids as well.
But penguins are always a hit with kids — even the second time around. In Betty’s Bay, about 45 minutes by car from Hermanus, there’s a second large penguin colony that’s far less known than the one at Boulders Beach.
For families, it’s actually even better, because you can get really up close to the penguins. They’re already waddling around in the parking lot when you arrive.
There’s also a restaurant on site where you can grab a good meal.
Playground at the Hermanus Country Market
Every Saturday, Hermanus hosts the Country Market, a large weekly market with food stalls, fresh produce, and arts and crafts.
Markets can be a bit boring for kids, but this one has a playground — so the little ones are happy and so are the parents.
Playground in the Center of Hermanus
Right in the heart of Hermanus there’s a large playground. You’ll find it along the coast on Marine Drive.
One heads-up: the playground sits in full sun. In the height of summer, your best bet is to visit in the morning or evening.
Wonderland Nursery
The Wonderland Nursery is a little paradise for kids in Sandbaai, very close to Hermanus. Along with a few shops and a café, there’s a huge playground here.
There are different areas for different age groups, an indoor section for rainy days, and even a water playground. You could honestly spend a whole day here.
More info on the Nursery Playpark website
Family Hotels in Hermanus
We recommend spending at least one night here on your road trip through South Africa. In and around Hermanus there are many family-friendly accommodations to choose from.
A great option for families is a vacation rental. Don’t overlook the suburbs of Hermanus either. Onrus is a particularly great location for families — you have a lovely beach right at your doorstep and a few small restaurants nearby.
Browse vacation rentals in Onrus and the surrounding area
If you’d prefer a hotel, here are a few kid-friendly places to stay in Hermanus we’d recommend:
Whale Coast All-Suite Hotel: Located right in the center of Hermanus above a shopping center. It sounds a little odd, but it’s actually super convenient with kids. Various apartments sleep up to six people.
Harbour House Hotel: A centrally located, spacious hotel complex with a large pool. Rooms available for up to four people.
Hermanus Backpackers: A very budget-friendly option that also has a family room with a shared bathroom.
If you’re continuing on to the Garden Route, check out our guide to the Garden Route with Kids for all the important tips.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Hermanus
In and around Hermanus, pretty much every restaurant is set up for families. High chairs and kids’ menus are standard.
These are our favorite spots for families:
Gelato Mania: priorities first — ice cream! Gelato Mania, right in the center of town, serves the best gelato in Hermanus.
Zesty Lemon: A winery in Stanford with excellent food. There’s a playground in the garden, a giant Jenga set, and plenty of space for kids to run around.
Hemel-en-Aarde Brewery: A brewery with really good food and a large playground for kids, including a trampoline.
Shopping in Hermanus for Families
In the center of Hermanus there’s a large Checkers supermarket where you can find everything you need for kids.
In the suburb of Sandbaai you’ll find the huge Whale Coast Mall. It has various supermarkets (including Woolworths), family-friendly restaurants (like Spur, which has a play area), and shops selling children’s books and toys (The Crazy Store).
Conclusion: Our Experience with Kids in Hermanus
We spent a total of ten days in Hermanus with two toddlers and felt completely at home. The town is very safe and family-friendly.
Getting around with a stroller was no problem, and the kids had a blast at every turn. If you’re traveling to South Africa with children, Hermanus with kids is an experience you really shouldn’t skip. Totally worth it!
You can also find out here what to pack for your kids on a family vacation.
