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Hermanus offers beach lovers several sandy options for a perfect beach day thanks to the usually mild Mediterranean climate and coastal location of the town. From the expansive Blue Flag Grotto Beach to the quieter secluded beaches tucked away amongst the cliffs and dunes; every beach offers its own experience.
Below is a list of the main beaches in the area, but there are also plenty of places along the coat to explore.
Breakfast Bay
This little beach is situated between Onrus River and Fisherhaven and is ideal for a relaxed picnic or snorkeling adventures. Thanks to its location between magnificent sand dunes the wind is usually not an issue, even on the windiest of days, offering visitors a protected cove with plenty of space to play, relax and explore.
Onrus Beach
Situated at the edge of Onrus River, the Onrus Beach offers everyone a beautiful location to swim and enjoy the sunshine. The Onrus River Lagoon mouth also gives children the perfect location for a safer swimming experience whilst the expanse of sandy beach means that there is plenty of space for everyone and their sandcastle creations. In-season the beach becomes the go-to spot for surfing, especially during the annual Onrus Classic Surfing and Body Boarding Competition in December.
Sandbaai Main Beach
The Sandbaai Beach offers plenty of space for beach lovers, surrounded by rocky outcrops and countless tidal pools to explore. The shallower pools are perfect for a quick cool down, with perfect snorkel-friendly pools during high tide. In season there are life guards located along the beach, who are more than happy to guide visitors to the best spots along the beach.
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Langbaai
This isolated beach is favoured by locals for its good surfing and body boarding waves. As its name suggests, this long beach is narrow and there are quite a few steps to traverse to get to the sandy shore, making it a difficult trip for the elderly or small children. However, for those willing to make the trip, the secluded experience is one of relaxation and quiet – perfect for a quick rejuvenation.
Kammabaai
Located next to Langbaai, Kammabaai beach is larger and easily accessible; a popular location for families and surfers alike. During low tide the beach offers plenty of places to picnic upon, with rocky outcrops teeming with sea creatures whilst high tide brings stronger currents and good waves for surfing. It’s suggested that children not swim during high tide due to the currents. The beach is also linked to the larger Voelklip and Grotto beaches via the Cliff Path and also offers ideal braai (barbecue) locations under shady Milkwood trees and plenty of rocks to climb.
Voelklip Beach
Another surfer favourite – this beach is also ideal for non-sand lovers as it offers leveled grassy lawns to picnic along, as well as a small sandy shore. The beach itself is quite small but offers enough space for enjoyable swimming and sunbathing. Due to its popularity there is usually a lifeguard on duty and plenty of parking close by.
Grotto Beach
The largest beach in the area stretches along the coast for over 18km (around 11 miles), bordered by mountains and indigenous plant life on one side and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean on the other. The Blue Flag Beach at Grotto only makes up a small expanse of this but is still the most popular location for beach-goers. There’s plenty of space for any sized crowd and the parking winds along the road for easy access along several designated pathways. Due to its status the beach has always got a lifeguard on duty at both the Grotto Beach and Kleinrivier Lagoon Mouth. At the lagoon families can enjoy a braai whilst overlooking the strand, or swim in the calmer lagoon waters and explore its shores.
PLEASE NOTE: the ocean currents can be extremely strong at times and it’s advised that caution be taken when swimming in unknown waters.
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