Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies just east of Hermanus. The reserve consists of five coastal areas, lying between Hermanus and Die Dam near Struisbaai. The main section, known as Walker Bay, stretches from the Klein River estuary to De Kelders at Gansbaai. This section covers about 1000 ha with a coastline of 17 km and features a long beach, known as Die Plaat, with white sands and rocky limestone outcrops to the east. Visitors are welcome to enjoy day hikes along the coast. Angling, swimming and picnicking are permitted, but visitors should note that the sea can be rough and dangerous.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve forms the mountain backdrop to Hermanus. The reserve is extremely rich in coastal mountain fynbos species and home to many rare and unusual plants, some of international scientific interest. Over 1 100 different plant species have been collected and identified within the reserve. Over 50 kilometres of well-maintained hiking trails provide the opportunity for people of all fitness levels to enjoy the reserve. There are snakes, so visitors please wear a good pair of walking shoes. Some visitors may encounter the local troop of baboons or several of the small residing antelope. There are approximately 111 recorded bird species.

Take a drive along Rotary Way. This scenic drive climbs along the spine of the mountains above Hemanus, allowing incredible views of the town, Walker Bay and Hemel-and- Aarde Valley, as well as some of the area's beautiful fynbos. The Rotary Way turns to dirt after a few kilometres and becomes impassable to all but four-wheel-drive vehicles. The entire mountainside is laced with wonderful walking-trails and many of the scenic lookouts have benches if you'd rather sit and soak in the beauty.

An 11-kilometer cliff path is one of Hermanus' unique attractions that stretches from the new harbour all along the magnificent coastline to Grotto Beach. It is accessible from many points along the route. Benches along the route provides rest and time to enjoy a picnic. The cliff walk allows whale watchers to follow the whales, which often come within 100 feet of the cliffs as they move along the coastline. Disabled people can also enjoy a popular section of the path, thanks to the Hermanus Rotary Club, who recently upgraded it, to make it accessible to wheelchairs.

Enjoy swimming, sunbathing and surfing at white sandy beaches, from cosy rock-protected coves to long expanses of beach. Grotto Beach is the longest and the largest. There are excellent facilities including picnic/braai areas and a cloakroom. Voelklip Beach and Kammabaai is very popular among surfers. There are terraced lawns and picnic/braai facilities under the milkwood trees. Sandbaai Beach is dotted with rock pools full of marine creatures. It is a popular snorkelling and swimming place at low tide. Onrus is the beach of choice for both body-boarders and surfers. It can also be very treacherous with strong currents. Children can swim in the Onrus Lagoon, on the western side of the beach. Brekvis Bay at Vermont provides a perfect setting for picnicking and paddling. The beach is sheltered and lies at the boundary of the Vermont Nature Reserve. The Marine Tidal Pool lies below the Marine Hotel and is a great place to swim and snorkel. Fick's Pool is a smaller tidal pool with a sandy floor that is well sheltered in a cove.