December will be Tree-mendous with Overberg Arborists & where to get your own fresh-cut pine Christmas Tree

👋 Hello Hermanus – it’s time for another helping of local flavour, good news, and small-town pride!

Apart from experiencing the newly-launched Epoché at Hasher Family Wines we’re hard at work on our Hermanus Holiday Guide, launching soon. If you’re hosting an event, running a festive special, planning a market, or have something worth shouting about, please send it our way. We’d love to include it. Drop us a mail at [email protected].

In this week’s edition, we’re serving up:

🌳 Business of the Week: Overberg Arborists – meet Andre and Shelby and the hardworking team keeping Hermanus’ trees healthy, safe, and beautifully maintained. From tricky removals to careful pruning, they’re the people to call when a tree needs expert attention.

🎄 Christmas Tree Time – yes, you can buy a Christmas tree locally this season. If you’re keen, scroll down for the details on where to get yours.

📆 What’s On in Hermanus: your guide to markets, live music, and community happenings this week.

🌤️ Your Weather: a quick snapshot so you can plan your perfect summer days by the sea.

Here’s to fresh air, shady streets, festive plans, and the people who make Hermanus feel like home.


The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Love local stories? Share The Scoop with a friend at hermanusscoop.co.za. It’s free and it’s lekker.

Property of the Week - Presented by Greeff Properties

Looking for ocean views or a mountainside retreat?

Each week, we spotlight a standout listing that captures the unique charm and lifestyle of the Overberg. From ocean-view escapes to tucked-away treasures, these are the homes that inspire imagination - and maybe even your next move. Brought to you by Greeff Properties, trusted specialists in exceptional real estate across the Overberg.

🏡 Property of the Week: Picturesque Coastal Escape Near the Sea

Welcome to this beautiful seaside cottage, perfectly positioned just a few minutes’ walk from Sandbaai Beach. This charming home captures the essence of coastal living, offering warmth, comfort, and wonderful versatility for both full-time residents and holidaymakers.

The main house features two well-sized bedrooms and one bathroom, with inviting living spaces that create an easy, relaxed atmosphere. Practicality is well considered, with a dedicated laundry area conveniently located in the garage. Whether you're enjoying quiet mornings at home or spending sunny afternoons by the sea, this cottage offers an idyllic lifestyle.

👉 View the full property here

🍺 Business of the Week: Overberg Arborists

Overberg Arborists feels like the kind of business Hermanus quietly relies on: the people you call when a tree isn’t just “a tree”, but a living thing with history, weight, risk, and responsibility. Run by Andre and Shelby, the company has built its name on doing arboriculture properly, safely, and with deep respect for both the client and the tree. 

If you’ve spent any time in Hermanus, you’ll know the trees here have personalities. The wind shapes them. The salt tests them. Age gives them character. And sometimes, whether it’s a towering oak leaning a little too close to a roofline in Fernkloof, or a milkwood that needs careful pruning in Onrus, you need more than a “guy with a chainsaw”.

That’s the gap Overberg Arborists was built to fill.

Andre grew up in Napier, split between small-town life and a family farm, with what he describes as “hands in the soil and head in the trees”. Trees weren’t an abstract interest. They were practical, physical, part of real work. Years spent learning felling techniques, milling, and climbing on their family land eventually became something more specialised: a craft grounded in skill first, paperwork later.

Shelby, drawn to the Overberg coastline long before it became home, moved to the region straight after graduating, marrying Andre at 21 and starting their life together immediately. In May 2020, right in the middle of Covid, they launched Overberg Arborists. The idea was simple, but not easy: do tree work ethically, safely, and with expertise you can’t fake.

Not landscapers with a chainsaw

Ask Andre what sets them apart and he’s direct: they’re arborists, not landscapers. It’s an important distinction. Arboriculture isn’t only about making a garden look neat. It’s about understanding tree biology, risk, structure, long-term health, and best practice.

Shelby says their difference is consistency. A small courtyard lemon tree gets the same care and attention as a massive tree hanging over a house in Voëlklip. That consistency, paired with straight talk, is why clients trust them. If something doesn’t need to be done, they’ll tell you. Not every business is willing to do that.

What they do (and what they’re really offering)

Overberg Arborists covers the full spectrum of tree management: high-risk removals, pruning, trimming, and technical work involving ropes, rigging, and proper climbing. But what clients often value most is what happens before a saw even starts: assessments, honest advice, and long-term care plans that keep properties safe, functional, and looking good year after year.

They’re also expanding their biomass focus, working to turn “waste” into something useful again. Chips and logs are recycled back into the community for mulching, erosion control, firewood, and farm use. It’s a practical, local loop that makes sense in a place like the Overberg.

Rooted in the Hermanus community

Their contribution shows up in quiet ways. They work hand-in-hand with local landscapers, contractors, estates, and businesses, stepping in when specialist tree work is needed to keep projects moving and sites safe. They also source equipment from local suppliers, including the Lawnmower and Chainsaw Clinic and Hermanus Mower Centre, keeping spend and support in the area.

And in a town known for gusty weather and exposed properties, they help prevent dangerous trees from becoming real problems. For homeowners, that peace of mind is everything.

Why they love Hermanus

Andre says the variety keeps him sharp. One day it’s milkwoods in Onrus, the next it’s a tricky dismantle above a roof. No two jobs are the same.

Shelby loves the people of Hermanus: involved, curious, conscious, and willing to invest in the long-term health of their gardens and properties. That kind of client culture matches how they work: thoughtful, careful, and future-focused.

In a town where nature is part of daily life, Overberg Arborists is one of those businesses that doesn’t just operate here. It fits here. And if you’ve got trees on your property, you’ll know exactly why that matters. 

Get in touch:

Whatsapp: 072 455 8345​
Email:​​ [email protected]

🎄Get Your Fresh Real Pine Christmas Trees

Bring home the magic of Christmas with our beautifully scented, freshly cut pine trees. 🌲✨

Sizes range from 1.2m to 2.4m, perfect for any space — big or small.

Prices start from just R250!

Limited stock available, so get yours early and make this festive season truly special. 🎄💚

They are located on the corner of Mosselrivier and main road in voelklip every Saturday 9am- 3pm and Sunday 9am -1pm for the next 3 weeks.

They can also deliver to your home.

Book yours now: 0665231430

🥘 Now Open: Epoché at Hasher Family Wines

Epoché at Hasher Family Wines officially opened this week and we were there to experience a moment suspended in time.

For a brief season in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a linen-clad tent emerges beside a shimmering dam, framed by rolling vineyards and granite hills. Named Epoché, meaning a pause in time, it invites you to step out of routine and fully experience the present. ​

Inside, two star Michelin chef Edwin Vinke and Hasher Family Wines guide guests through a 15-course journey shaped by the land and season. With limited seating, Epoché offers a rare chance to experience culinary mastery in one of South Africa’s most beautiful wine regions.

Book now to not miss out!

🌿 This Week in Hermanus 🌿

As we gear up for the festive season, the Scoop team is busy putting together a December Holiday Playbook for Hermanus - a full guide to help locals and visitors make the most of the upcoming summer holiday.

Next week is still a little quieter before the holiday season truly kicks into gear, so if you know of any events, pop-ups, live music, markets or specials happening in December/January, please send them our way.

📧 [email protected]

Your submissions help us keep the community informed, support local businesses, and make Hermanus the place to be this summer!

Onrus Coffee Run
📍 Platõ Coffee, 18 Van Blommestein Steet, Onrus
📅 Saturday, 6 December 2025
⏰ 5:45 for a 6:00am Start
🍷 Free Coffee & USN Samples and the chance to WIN a Silver Kruger Rand!

Lagoon Vista Wine Brunch - A Relaxed Sunday Escape
📍 Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, R43 Botrivier Lagoon, Hermanus
📅 7 December 2025
⏰ 10:00 – 14:00
🍷 Slow down and savour a scenic brunch experience overlooking the lagoon, paired with Benguela Cove’s award-winning wines.
🎟️ Book here: https://benguelacove.co.za/products/lagoon-vista-wine-brunch-sunday-at-benguela-cove

The Garden Party - A Summer Day on the Lawn
📍 The Quad, Hermanus (host venue details as per Quicket link)
📅 Saturday, 13 December 2025
⏰ 10:00 – 17:00
🌿 A full day of sunshine, live music, good food, and great company. Expect picnics, oysters, bubbly, and long, lazy lawn vibes.

🍽️ On the menu:
• Mosbolletjie breakfast sandwich
• Picnic boxes with smoked snoek paté, local cheeses & handmade pork rillette
• Sandwich bar with 12-hour roast lamb, charcoal-seared sirloin & buttermilk-fried chicken

🎉 For the kids:
Marimba band, cookie decorating, treasure hunts & frog fishing.

🎟️ R100 per person
🥗 Picnic boxes: R575 (2–4 pax) - pre-booking essential
🔗 Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/340149-the-garden-party-2025/#/

👀 Around The Corner

Sandbaai Christmas Festival
🗓 Saturday 20 December · 16:00
📍 Sandbaai Hall
We will have holiday decorations, kids events, crafts and food for sale, and more. Details will be updated on https://www.facebook.com/share/1MimttXW1k/

Hermanus Cliff Path fundraising event
🗓 Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 07:30 for 08:00
📍 Ficks to Dutchies
Time: 07:30 for 08:00
Distance: +/- 8.8km (Moderate fitness)
Tickets: R450 per person – all proceeds go towards maintenance of our Hermanus Cliff Path
Tickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1581105053

Enjoy a complimentary coffee from Ficks before we start with a water break at Sievers Point – please bring your own water.
Enjoy the end of the walk with a coffee and freshly baked croissant at Dutchies.

High Street Christmas Soirée
🗓 22 December · 16:00 - 21:00
📍 High Street Hermanus

🌿The Usuals

Saturday | Hermanus Country Market
🗓 Every Saturday · 09:00 - 14:00
📍 Hermanus Cricket Club
Artisan stalls, live music, food, fresh produce and a family-friendly vibe - a staple Saturday outing for locals and visitors alike.

Local Thrift Market 🛍️
🗓 Saturday, 09:00 - 13:00
📍 De Wet Saal / De Wet Hall

Browse a variety of stalls and discover unique pre-loved treasures at the Local Thrift Market. Bring your fur-friend along (on a leash) and enjoy a relaxed, community market day.

Saturday | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃
🗓 Every Saturday · 08:00
📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join.

Saturday | Benguela Cove ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday · 08:00
📍 Benguela Cove, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Hermanus Another beautiful 5km trail run (or walk) along the lagoon. Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

🎓 Schools Update

With 1 week to go until the end of the 2025 school year all schools are winding down and preparing for a well-deserved break.

We’d love to wish all learners and teachers a well-deserved break and rest after a busy year!

🌤️ Weather Forecast for Hermanus

Hermanus gets a little more dramatic this week: a hot start, a cooler dip, then a bright return to form. Thursday climbs into proper summer heat, Friday eases back, and the weekend brings a noticeable cool change with stronger winds before temperatures lift again into early next week.

⸻

Thursday 4 December
Hot, sunny, and distinctly summery, with a warm pulse running through the day. ☀️
26°C / 15°C  Winds 8 / 3 m/s

Friday 5 December
Cooler and calmer, with some cloud around and just the lightest chance of a sprinkle. 🌤️21°C / 15°C  Precip 0.1 mm  Winds 6 / 3 m/s

Saturday 6 December
A brisk shift: cooler air, stronger winds, and a day that feels a bit more rugged on the coast. 🌤️💨
21°C / 16°C  Winds 10 / 5 m/s

Sunday 7 December
Warmth returns and the day steadies out nicely, with that bright, open summer feel. ☀️
25°C / 16°C  Winds 8 / 5 m/s

Monday 8 December
A mild, easy day with gentle air and comfortable temperatures for being outdoors. ☀️
22°C / 16°C  Winds 5 / 1 m/s

Tuesday 9 December
Mostly settled, but keep an eye out for a few showers passing through. 🌦️
22°C / 16°C  Precip 1.1 mm  Winds 5 / 2 m/s

Wednesday 10 December
Bright and warm again, with winds picking up enough to make the ocean feel lively. 🌤️25°C / 17°C  Winds 9 / 4 m/s

⸻

The week ahead: a classic Hermanus mix of heat, a cool coastal reset, and then a glide back into sunshine. Plan beach time around Thursday and Sunday, and brace for a windier Saturday.

🍔 Restaurant Specials:

Here are some of the best deals from all over town for you to enjoy during the coming week:

Spotted in the Overberg: Photo of the Week

Each week, we feature one special snap submitted by someone who calls this place home. From misty morning walks to playful pups on the beach - we want to see what you see.

And here’s the perk: every featured photographer gets a free flat white on us - in partnership with Molo Coffee. So send in your best shot to [email protected], and you might just sip your way to local fame.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Scoop!

Stay festive, cool and curious and we’ll catch you next week!

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Want to be featured in the Scoop? Drop us a mail at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.

1