Clarence Drive (R44) from Gordon’s Bay to Hermanus

Drive this amazing coastline – we have not seen better anywhere in the world!

This is one of the most scenic coastal drives in South Africa and well worth the effort. It is the also the first part of Route 3: The Whale Route and features dramatic coast line and beaches, fynbos biosphere, Jackass Penguin colony, baboons, whale watching, birding, shark cage diving and hiking and then …….we throw in some wine estates, just to round things off.

After taking the N2 from Cape Town, take the R44 off ramp and turn right to the Strand. Turn right onto Beach Road and stop at the beach. Beach Road will rejoin the R44 to Gordon’s Bay, which has a small harbour.

For detailed information on the Helderberg including Somerset West, Strand and Gordons Bay, visit ShowMe Helderberg.

Continue on the R44 until you see the signpost on your right to Stony Point Penguin Colony. If you reach Betty’s Bay, you have gone too far!

This really is a must – one of only three breeding colonies of jackass penguins in mainland South Africa.

Enjoy getting up close to these birds to get some pics of their comical swagger to the water or the many nests that cover the area. The kids will really love this too!

Rejoin the R44 and not much further on you will see the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens (+27 (0)28 272 9311) on your left. You can have tea, lunch or pack your own picnic and walk around the cultivated fynbos gardens. Maybe take a hike on one of the nature trails – really beautiful.

Have your binoculars ready if you are a birdwatcher. With over 96 species recorded at Harold Porter, some specials include Verreaux’s Eagle, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Victorin’s Scrub-Warbler, Cape Siskin, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Cape Rock-Thrush,Ground Woodpecker and the rare Protea Seedeater.

Betty’s Bay, Kleinmond and Onrus

Betty’s Bay is well known for its beautiful, lonely beach, which is backed by flower covered dunes in the spring.

The Kleinmond area is renowned for whale sightings during the whale season (August to November). To reach the view sites, turn right onto 13th Street, and drive down to Beach Rd.

The picnic area at the lagoon wetland is also pretty. To get there, continue on Beach Rd and rejoin the R44, turn right, and the next turnoff to the right should be to the wetland park. The site supports over 163 bird species, at least 62 of which are water birds. The wetland regularly supports an average of 25,000 individual birds and on occasion it can hold over 40,000.

After Kleinmond, the R44 will merge with the R43 – turn right towards Hermanus.

You will pass the sign for Onrus, a small town on your right. The beach at Onrus is ideal for the family. Flanked by a lagoon it provides an ideal playground for children. The Onrus beach is also a favorite place for local surfers. The Milkwood Restaurant overlooks the beach and has been cited as the best seafood restaurant in Hermanus.

Hermanus

For detailed information on Hermanus visit ShowMe Hermanus.

Originally a fishing village, Hermanus is now a cosmopolitan town and a popular tourist destination. It is known for its “whale crier” who blows his kelp horn when a whale is spotted. Between July and October you can experience great land-based whale watching from the cliff tops, or the old harbor. In September, Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival.

If you’re into adventure activities like canoeing, the Kleinrivier vlei is one of the best places in SA and is only 6kms outside Hermanus towards Gansbaai. Sea kayaking, sand boarding, paragliding, quad biking and guided fresh and salt water fly fishing trips – you’ll find plenty of opportunities to indulge in them here.

Have fun on the famous Grotto Beach at the mouth of the Kleinrivier lagoon. Nearby, De Plaat is a well known fishing spot

Take the Rotary Drive for spectacular views of Walker Bay – drive out of Hermanus towards the N2. Rotary drive is sign posted to the right

Have a meal at Bientang’s Cave, a seafood restaurant that’s carved into a deep old cave that overlooks the Old Harbor. We recommend the bouillabaisse!

The nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve has about 50km of well-maintained hiking trails, surrounded by the beautiful coastal fynbos indigenous to the area. The area is considered one of the world’s richest floral kingdoms. This is also a good birding spot. If you visit Fernkloof in September you will experience a great wild flower show. To get there, take the R43 towards Gansbaai, turn left into Fir Ave, just past the Hermanus Golf Club

The Cliff Path that stretches from the New Harbour in Westcliff all along the coastline to Grotto beach is 10-12km long and has made Hermanus famous for its land-based Whale watching potential. Accessible from many points along the route, it has benches at strategic points along the way to give hikers a rest or just to provide a place to sit and watch the whales or appreciate the beauty of Walker Bay