Knysna, but not the Knysna you think
Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem
| Bed and Breakfast guesthouse | |
![]() | 028-3130014/15 |
![]() | 26 Springfield Avenue, Westcliff, Hermanus |
![]() | hermanus-accommodation-whalerock |
![]() | info@whalerock.co.za |
![]() | @WhaleRockLodge |
![]() | @WhaleRockHermanus |
![]() | @whalerockhermanus |
Right next to the local harbour and short stroll away from the popular Cliff Path walk in Hermanus is Whale Rock Luxury Lodge. It’s a family friendly haven – couples and groups of friends will love it too – and it’s perfect for a quick weekend getaway.
Plus, as a CapeTownMagazine.com reader, you get a 30% discount with a complimentary bottle of Gabrielskloof Sauvignon Blanc when you book your stay online via nightsbridge.com

Once you’re inside the main lodge, let the kids explore the vast garden and giant pool (it’s one of the largest swimming pools in Hermanus). Once you’re checked in, take a long look around the lodge. It’s rich with historical gems and everything inside has a story to tell. Ask hostess Melanie Musson about the beautiful stone decoration in the garden suite or how the lodge came about their old wooden beams. Hint: it has something to do with a shipwreck.

If you’re looking for a secluded weekend getaway, just your family, friends or partners separate from other Whale Rock guests, book a stay in the private villa. The granadilla bushes outside in the driveway give it a charming touch, but the sparkling clear pool, the cloud-like pool pillows and the dangling hammocks inside the villa will blow you away. The villa is an entirely separate building from the main lodge. It comes fully equipped with a pool, braai area and kitchen.

Every year southern right whales head to Hermanus to calve, and it’s along the accessible Cliff Path trail where you’ll get some of the best opportunities to see these giant mammals. However, just next door to the cliff path, to the luxury lodge is the New Harbour. If you really want to get closer to the whales and see them in their element, book a boat tour. It's a remarkable experience being able to see more detail on their bodies and sometimes even their eyes (the whales sometimes swim closer to the crafts).

Although whale-watching is a big deal in Hermanus, there are heaps of other activities to do in and out of peak whale-watching season. Whale Rock Lodge hostess Melanie Musson says her guests love to go ziplining, quad biking, wine tasting and golfing at Hermanus' 27 hole golf course.
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Expect sunsets, fairy lights and oceans views at Dutchies.
The flammkuchen is as tasty as a pizza and it’s a speciality at Ficks.
What’s next on your weekend agenda?
There are plenty more small towns to discover on a day trip away.
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Knysna, but not the Knysna you think
Locals help us uncover the hidden treasures of this Garden Route gem
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