The New Harbour lies at the western end of town, where the R43 reaches the coast and the Cliff Path begins. It was built in the 1950s, when the old harbour grew too small for the fishing fleet. The whale boats leave from here today, along with the fishermen; the abalone farm has its tanks on the slope, and two restaurants on the quay look out over the mole. When a boat comes in with a catch, the seals gather under the quay.
- built
- 1950s
- west of the centre
- 2 km
- leave from here
- whale boats
- of the Cliff Path
- start
For visitors the harbour matters for two reasons: it is where the boat trips start, with the briefing on land and the catamaran at the jetty, and it is where the cliff path begins. Put the two together and you go out in the morning and walk the Cliff Path back into the centre at midday, three quarters of an hour with benches on the way. Parking is plentiful here. In the centre it is not.
- Time needed
- half an hour, three with a boat trip
- Cost
- free, boat trip extra
- When
- all year, whale boats June to November
- From the Old Harbour
- 2.0 km
Our tipLeave the car here, take the boat trip, and walk the Cliff Path back into the centre. A taxi back to the car costs very little.
New Harbour: common questions
Where do the whale boats leave from in Hermanus?
From the New Harbour at the western end of town, two kilometres from the centre. Briefing on land, then the catamaran at the jetty. Parking is plentiful here, unlike the centre.
What is there at the New Harbour besides the boats?
Fishing boats at the quay, the abalone farm with its tanks on the slope, two restaurants overlooking the mole, and seals under the quay whenever a boat comes in with a catch. The Cliff Path also starts here.