Whale Rock Luxury Lodge & Villa

Hermanus is known as the Rivièra of the Cape with it's lovely beaches and bays, like Langbaai, Kammabaai and the Blue Flag and well known Grotto Beach, which is great for swimming and boarding.

Golfers can enjoy 2 superb golf courses in Hermanus, The Hermanus Golf Club and of course the Championship Course of Arabella just outside Hermanus. In 2006, this classic country course of Hermanus Golf Club has undergone a major overhaul with the introduction of nine new holes, based around a new real estate component, and the charming and gentle layout of the past has been replaced with modern classically designed holes, that have added much to both the visual and challenging aspects of the course, without losing any sense of its former tradition. This tradition, created by original designer Bob Grimsdell, which was based around the gentle mountain surrounds, sea views and country hospitality, and though those ingredients remain, this golfing venue has truly reached a new level. This is not surprising, as South Africa’s foremost golf course architect, Peter Matkovich, was retained to infuse his special brand of flair and experience to maximise the potential on this scenic and gentle landscape. The flair is immediately noticeable in the use of new water and rocky features, as well as the introduction of visually pleasant grassy mounds adding definition and shape to the holes. The Arabella Country Estate 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. The Arabella golf course was recently voted the 4th best golf course in South Africa. The golf estate course was designed by Peter Matkovich, a highly acclaimed golf course designer with serious architectural talent. The Arabella Golf Club has been enjoyed by holiday makers, celebrities and professional golfers like Ernie Els and Gary Player. On this golf estate, we believe that every game is a true sporting experience, and that it should be savoured and enjoyed. This is why the Arabella golf estate is ranked as the fourth best golfing experience by a top rated golfing magazine. The golf course itself is an 18 hole masterpiece, a Par 72 championship course that you won’t find anywhere else in Africa. Among our golf estate awards and distinctions, is our 18th hole, which was voted the best finishing hole in South Africa. We have also been congratulated by the golfing community for our stunningly scenic surrounds. With a flowing river and a mountain backdrop to your game, this golf estate will give you all the fresh air and sunshine you could ever want.

Whale Watching Hermanus is known as the Whale Watching Capital of the world with some of the best land-based Whale Watching spots. But besides the land-based Whale Watching you can also do Boat-based whale watching in the Walker Bay which gives you an amazing experience. We have got a close working relationship with Souther Right Charters who are based in the New Harbour, which is situated just across the road for Whale Rock Luxury Lodge at approx. 200 m. The whale seen most frequently in the Walker Bay area is the Southern Right Whale, but other species do make an appearance occasionally. The whales start arriving in May in order to calve and to mate in the shallow water. Peak time for whales at any one time is October, but many can still be seen in November, tailing off in December. Humpbacks migrate through the region between May and December each year, while Bryde's whales are found slightly futher offshore all year round. Occasional sightings of Killer Whales have been made. Dolphin species which may be seen in the region include the endemic Heavisides dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin and Common dolphins. The first Whale Crier in the world is not only a major attraction but keeps visitors informed as to where the whales can be seen when he does his rounds every day. The sound of his kelp horn has become a characteristic of the charm of this seaside resort during the whale season. A whale watching hotline provides visitors who wish to travel to Hermanus and environs with up to the minute information on the whereabouts of the whales ( 0283122629 ). Walker Bay is one of the favoured bays for Southern Right Whales to calve and mate and between September and November sitings are practically guaranteed on a daily basis.

The Hermanus Wine Route can be found along the Walker Bay Wine District’s famous R320 and meanders through the picturesque area known as the Hemel-en-Aarde Area. This wine route unites the passion and reputation of fifteen wineries, each growing small volumes of premium quality wine in carefully and sustainably managed vineyards. While these wines draw wine lovers from all over the world, the pristine shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the towering mountain ranges and fynbos-clad hills add to the attraction – to guarantee visitors to the Hermanus Wine Route a memorable experience. Some personal favourites are Creation, Ataraxia, Newton Johnson, Bouchard Finlayson and Hamilton Russel Vineyards.

Walking the famous Hermanus Cliff Path is one of the most amazing and spectacular walking path's in the world and can be enjoyed by young and old. The Cliff Path takes you the Hermanus New Harbour, approx. 200 m from the Whale Rock Lodge entrance, all the way across to Grotto Beach on the other side of Hermanus which is approx. 14,5 km's