Hermanus Beach Club

The town originated as a direct result of an itinerant teacher and shepherd, named Hermanus Pieters who grew tired of his chosen profession and environment and wandered south of Caledon towards the sea. He settled at a freshwater spring (fountain) which later became known as Hermanuspietersfontein (a combination of his name and surname and the Afrikaans word for "fountain"). In 1855, this name was passed on to the village established on this site and was shortened in 1902 at the anguished request of the local postmaster who had problems with the long name. The town became a municipality in 1904.

Others joined Pieters at his fountain. Fishermen and lime-makers were attracted by the shoals of fish and the deposits of shells along the coast.

One of the most significant contributors to the "village feeling" of Hermanus is Sir William Hoy, the General Manager of the South African Railways at that stage. He was a regular visitor to and a property owner in Hermanus in the early 1900's, and ensured that the natural beauty of Hermanus would stay unspoilt by blocking any attempt to extend the Bot River railway line to the village. He didn't want the peace and quite to be disturbed by the noise of the trains.

There was a small natural harbour for fishing boats, tricky to enter but snug inside. Fish were caught in vast quantities and shipped to Kalk Bay. Anglers and holidaymakers were eventually attracted to the area. A village grew, with hotels and stores. Most of the buildings here are white walled (the lime is obtained by burning sea-shells) and black-thatched (reeds at the lagoon provide the roofing).

The whole of the old harbour has been restored and converted into an open-air museum. Old-fashioned fishing boats have been placed on the ramp leading down to the water. Old buildings have been reconstructed, and now house a small museum.

Hermanus is historically rich with many interesting tales and facts about the people who sculptured the town into what it is today: from Sir William Hoy, who didn't want a railway going through the town to Bientang, the last indigenous "strandloper" (beachcomber) that lived in a cave in town. These people contributed to the development (along largely noncommercial lines) and feel of Hermanus in several unique ways.

The village’s fame as a fishing resort is international. Many large sharks and kabeljou have been caught. There is a modern fishing harbour and numerous hotels, boarding houses and two caravan parks. The lagoon is favored for yachting and aquaplaning.

A scenic drive has been cut into the mountain slopes and provides panoramic views of the town and the sea. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve at Hermanus has 16 kilometres of footpaths giving access to areas rich in birds, game and flowers.