Old Harbour museum

Western Cape, South africa

One of Hermanus' oldest areas — a harbour in a town made famous by its fishing industry and named after a 19th century Dutch settler named Hermanus Pieters ².

From here, fishermen would set out to sea, store their boats and equipment, process their catch and sometimes sell it.

Over time a number of structures were built, including a breakwater, boat building area, gutting tables, fish drying stands, and brine tanks where fish were soaked in salt water for preservation before being moved.

However, it was closed in 1958 in favour of a larger one nearby, and later on turned into a museum after renovations.

Apart from the beach side buildings, there's an old schoolhouse across the road that now houses photos about Hermanus' past, and a newly built whale house with displays and artifacts on whales — one of the area's attractions.

What to do thereExplore the museum, see and know more about Hermanus' past, whale watching, picnics.

Best time to visitJune to December if planning to visit other areas of Hermanus or see some whales otherwise any time of the year.

Location of Old Harbour museumIn Hermanus' CBD and shoreline — about two hours worth of driving from Cape Town.

It also is in Western Cape, South Africa.

How to get thereBy bus, vehicle, cycling, walking, boat.

The nearest airport is in Cape Town, though there is a sea port nearby.

References1. By Olga Ernst - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64959171
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermanus - accessed on 31st March, 2020