THE COASTAL EXPERIENCE
Birkenhead House is in the seaside town of Hermanus and is surrounded by sea, pristine beaches and towering mountains. Whether you’re in the mood for more gentle pursuits like a wine tasting on the main deck, or for a thrilling encounter with Great White Sharks, there is something for everyone at Birkenhead House

WHALE WATCHING
Gain fascinating insights into the lives of these gentle giants.

Whale watching can be done on land (at Birkenhead House), at sea or in the air. For those looking to get up close and personal with the Southern Right and Humpback whales we recommend heading out on the ocean with a company called Dyer Island Cruises – their primary focus is on marine conservation and research – they are part of the same company that we use for Shark Cage Diving – Marine Dynamics.

COASTAL CUISINE
Guests can go foraging for edible Fynbos species along the coastal shoreline. Our chefs will then prepare a five-course dinner incorporating those hand-picked ingredients while each course will be paired with wines from the nearby Hemel and Aarde Valley.

No coastal experience would be complete without picking mussels from the rocks below Birkenhead House. Chefs Oliver and Pinkie will share their knowledge with the guests and explain which mussels to pick and how to pick them. They will then provide a ”Master Class” on how to cook them on an open fire incorporating ingredients from our local shoreline while discussing the history of South African cuisine and the Cape Malay influence.

Please note that Mussel Picking is seasonal and subject to coastal conservation rules.

Guests can also enjoy a wine tasting comparing four Pinot Noirs from the region.

SHARK CAGE DIVING
Diving with Great White Sharks is an exhilarating and fascinating experience. The team at Birkenhead House will gladly arrange a shark cage diving expedition for you in nearby Gansbaai. We use a company called Marine Dynamics whose primary focus is on marine conservation and research ensuring that your shark cage diving experience will be undertaken responsibly and with minimum impact on the environment.

The team at Birkenhead House will gladly arrange a shark cage diving expedition for you in nearby Gansbaai. We use a company called Marine Dynamics whose primary focus is on marine conservation and research ensuring that your shark cage diving experience will be undertaken responsibly and with minimum impact on the environment.

At Marine Dynamics HQ, your dive master will give you a full briefing about the day’s procedures. You will learn all about these fascinating Apex predators as well as the rest of the Marine 5 which includes Sharks, Whales, Seals, Penguins and Dolphins.

You’ll then take a 20-minute boat trip out to sea and anchor off Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, which boasts a large Cape Fur Seal colony, the staple diet of the Great White Shark. After slipping into your wetsuit, the crew will lower you into the cage which is attached to the side of the boat in the water. This is an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing animals, from the safety of a cage.