Overbergstrand has possibly the most magnificent piece of coastline in South Africa. In the west, mountains plunge headlong into the clear Atlantic Ocean and the east is characterized by endless hills dipping down towards the sea. Most of the towns along the coast are fishing villages turned holiday resorts. Of these, the biggest and most popular is Hermanus. Hermanus was named after Hermanus Pieters, a sheep farmer and teacher from the Netherlands, who let his sheep graze in this fertile bay. Today, Hermanus is probably best known as a whale watcher's paradise. Visitors can choose from several vantage points to observe the frolicking of these gracious animals. The southern right, the species most common in these waters, are easily spotted from June to October. Dolphins also frequent these waters and a colony of jackass penguins can be visited at Betties Bay. Also in Betties is the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden a popular attraction for flora lovers. Most of the area is also part of the Kogelberg Biosphere, offering beautiful hikes along clear mountain streams. Besides hiking, adventure lovers can choose from a wide range of activities including canoeing and white river rafting in the Palmiet river near Kleinmond; wind surfing, boating and water skiing at Maanskynbaai east of Hermanus; diving for crayfish and perlemoen (abalone); fishing; swimming; mountain biking; or hitting a birdie at the beautiful Hermanus golf course. Hermanus also hosts many festivals including the Hermanus Stanford Canoe Race (April); the Hermanus Harbour Museum Seafood Festival (April); the Hermanus Whale Festival and Half Marathon (September) and the Hermanus Food and Wine Festival (August).
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