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My Summer GUIDE 2019
ADVENTURE & ACTIVITIES REAL ESTATE
LIFE’S A BEACH: YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST SPOTS Hermanus has a long and varied coastline that boasts a variety of beaches. From the expansive Blue Flag Grotto Beach to quieter secluded beaches tucked away among the cliffs and dunes; every beach offers a unique experience. Grotto Beach holds the country’s record for being awarded a Blue Flag grading for the most consecutive years. Kleinmond and Hawston beaches also have been granted Blue Flag status. This means that visitors can expect clean, well-cared-for environments, changing facilities and lifeguards. During the peak holiday season, from 1 December, Blue lag beaches have lifeguards every day from 09:00 to 18:00.
HAWSTON BEACH │Xplorio
ONRUS BEACH │Xplorio
VOËLKLIP BEACH │Xplorio
KLEINMOND BEACH │Elaine Davie
SILVER SANDS BEACH │Surf-Forecast
PEARLY BEACH │Cape Whale Coast
Hawston Beach Hawston boasts one of the most picturesque beaches in the area. Children enjoy paddling in the water while adults can laze in the sun and enjoy the scenic vistas. Brêkis Bay This little beach in Vermont is ideal for a relaxed picnic or snorkelling adventures. Its location, between magniicent sand dunes, offers visitors a protected cove with plenty of space for beach activities, relaxing and exploring. Because it’s secluded, however, it is safer to go there in a group. There have been incidents of attacks on women who were robbed when alone on the beach. Onrus Beach Here you will ind a picture-perfect location for swimming and enjoying the sunshine. The Onrus River Lagoon mouth - where small children can play in the calmer waters of the lagoon and older children and adults can brave the waves - is ideally suited to family outings. Onrus Beach is also a favourite haunt for local surfers, but more inexperienced swimmers should be aware that the sea bed drops sharply from the beach, making swimming tricky and sometimes dangerous. This beach has ‘pilot’ Blue Flag status. Note: Keep an eye out for the information sign that warns about faecal pollution in the lagoon. The sign has a QR code pointing at a website page with information about the current water status and potential health risks
of swimming in the lagoon. Visit whalecoastconservation.org.za/goinggreen/eco-community/onrus-river-estuary-lagoon/ for more information. Sandbaai Main Beach Surrounded by rocky outcrops, Sandbaai Beach offers countless tidal pools for those who enjoy exploring. The shallow pools are perfect for children to swim in or for a quick cool-down. Excellent diving and snorkelling conditions are a little beyond the rocky ledge. Changing facilities and parking make it easily accessible and popular with families. Langbaai A small beach, conined on either side by low, rocky cliffs that have the effect of funnelling good body-surfing waves into the cove. The beach has limited parking and there are quite a few steps to the sandy shore, but it offers a beach experience that is well worth the effort.
Grotto Beach The largest beach in the area stretches along the coast for more than 18 km. The Blue Flag Beach at Grotto makes up a relatively small area. It is, however, the most popular location for beach-goers. There’s plenty of space for any size crowd and the parking winds along the road for easy access via several designated pathways. Families can also enjoy the calmer waters of the Klein River Lagoon on the eastern side of Grotto Beach. Kleinmond Beach This Blue Flag Beach is at the mouth of Kleinmond Lagoon in an unspoilt environment. It’s easy to understand the reason tourists lock here throughout the year. Having the option of enjoying the sea or fresh water lagoon makes it an ideal location for getting those paddle skis and boats out, as well as perfect for children.
Kammabaai Kammabaai is another beach with shallow water, ample parking and excellent facilities making it ideal for family outings. This small private beach is linked to the larger Voëlklip and Grotto beaches via the renowned Cliff Path.
Silver Sands Beach Silver Sands Beach is west of Stoney Point in Betty’s Bay. It’s home to a colony of African Penguins and has everything you are looking for in an ideal beach. There is plenty for the children to do, from building sandcastles, swimming and collecting shells to searching through the rock pools. You can comfortably relax and tan here while enjoying the beauty around you.
Voëlklip Beach Another surfers’ favourite – this beach is also good for non-sand lovers as it offers levelled grassy lawns on which to picnic, as well as a small sandy shore. It is particularly popular with younger adults, mainly during the peak tourist season.
Pearly Beach Castle Beach recently joined the Overstrand’s Blue Flag beaches. Less than an hour from Hermanus this drive makes a lovely day’s outing. A wooden walkway takes you straight to a beach with picturesque vistas, as well as ablution facilities and showers.
SAFETY TIPS
RIP CURRENTS
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According to the NSRI, the biggest danger that people will face on the beaches this summer will be rip currents - the greatest cause of drowning accidents along our coast.
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The ocean currents can be extremely strong at times and it’s advised that caution be taken when swimming in unknown waters; Swim only when and where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate that it is safe to swim; Always swim between the red and yellow lags; Never swim alone; If you ind yourself in trouble, raise your arm to attract the lifeguards’ attention; If you see someone in trouble in the sea, alert the lifeguards or ind help. Don't attempt a rescue and put your own life in danger as well; Don’t consume alcohol and swim; Don’t dive from tidal pool walls. Swim only at low tide when no waves are breaking over the walls.
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Don’t panic or try to swim against the current; As tough as this sounds, let the current take you out to sea; Raise one arm in the air and wave and scream to alert people on the shore that you’re in trouble; At the irst chance you get, swim parallel to the beach until you’re free of the rip current, then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore.
NSRI Station 17 Hermanus: 082 990 5967 | Sea Rescue Emergency: 112 from a cellphone Overstrand Municipality 24-hour Fire & Rescue: 028 312 2400/ 028 313 8980 Law Enforcement: 028 313 8111 | Hermanus Police: 028 313 5300 SOURCES: www.hermanus.co.za │ www.sa-venues.com │ www.xplorio.com │ NSRI │ Overstrand Municipality
