In a coastal town, the beach plays an important role in every resident's day-to-day activities, no matter what stage you are in life, and irrespective of season.

Hermanus has a major asset in a seafront cliff path, which stretches from Grotto Beach all the way to the new harbour, a distance of about 10km. An excellent way to discover your favourite beach is to walk along the well-signposted path, in the direction of Hermanus central.

Benches are strategically placed at look out points along the way, allowing you to take a rest when needed. The cool breeze will keep you going on a hot summer's day and the anticipation of spotting a whale around the next bend, will keep you motivated for the long walk in winter months.

Early in the morning, you will see animal lovers walking their dogs on Grotto Beach - the only beach where dogs are allowed. (On a leash, and bring a poop-scoop please!)

This pristine beach stretches as far as you can see in the direction of Gansbaai, past the Klein Rivier lagoon mouth and De Plaat and area popular with kite-surfers.

Its excellent toilet and shower facilities, security, lifeguards, ample parking, braai facilities and playground make it popular with locals and tourists alike.

Hermanus is very proud of Grotto Beach's Blue Flag Status. Photo: Rosanne Turner

In winter, put on a beanie, and windbreaker, and walk as far as you can, until you can't feel your nose anymore in the fresh Atlantic air. The positive ions generated by the sea will dispel negative winter moods. Pack a flask of coffee and park at a lookout point to thaw out and admire the whales afterwards.

In summer, this is a great stretch of sand to play beach rugby, Frisbee or bat and ball, as it is vast enough to mark out your own space, although it may require trekking a distance from the car park.

As popular as Grotto is Voelklip Beach, although this local surfer's hangout is it is considerably smaller. Lifeguards are on duty in season, there are clean toilet facilities, shops nearby and a grass verge overlooking the beach for those that don't take well to sand sticking to their sun cream.

During the whale season, Southern Right whales can be seen playing just beyond the breakers, companions to the surfers.

On summer mornings you'll find nannies with small children gathered at Kammabaai for a chinwag, taking advantage of the fact that the beach is quiet enough for little ones to play while older kids are at school and moms and dads at work.

For this very reason, this protected little bay is also known as Nanny's Beach as it is within easy walking distance of Hermanus' swanky northern suburbs homes for nannies with prams.

Kammabaai takes on a completely different role in the afternoons and weekends, as teenagers and body boarders enjoy the perfect waves. Picnic and braai spots can be found under the Milkwood trees.

Next on your exploratory route is Langbaai, generally felt to be Hermanus' secret beach. It is small, but flanked by two rocky outcrops keeping it private and protected from the wind.

Take the  well-signposted cliff path to your favourite beach. Photo: Rosanne Turner

As you get to Hermanus central, the cliff path will lead you to the Marine tidal pool, just below the colonial Marine Hotel. The pool has upgraded change-room facilities and is a great place to snorkel and discover tidal marine life. It is ideally located only metres from the village square piazza with restaurants, boutiques and the amphitheatre, where a marimba band often entertains the crowd soaking up the view of the Old Harbour.

Only the other side of Hermanus, you will find the beaches of Sandbaai, Onrus and Vermont. Sandbaai Beach offers safe swimming at low tide, and is a great place for kids to explore tidal pools, teeming with sea life. It is a popular snorkeling spot, with toilets and showers to wash off the salt water. Another coastal path on this side of town, will lead to Onrus Beach.

Onrus Beach is multi-faceted. Local kids congregate here on weekends and after school to surf, body board, watch the talent or just ‘hang out'. The Onrus River flows into the sea here, creating an ever-changing beach and lagoon mouth.

On any given day, the beach will look different, depending on the flow of the river. Sometimes a gentle stream meanders toward the sea. At other times after heavy rainfall, a torrent of gushing water creates steep banks and beach-goers hop from rock to rock to cross to the other side.

Onrus is a great family beach, with well-maintained ablution facilities, a restaurant, ample parking and grass banks. Resident overfed ducks amuse children in the lagoon as they go ‘bottoms up' looking for tasty morsels. The lagoon offers a safe water playground for smaller children as dads tow them on inflatable boats and lilos or help construct impressive sandcastles.

Child's play at Onrus Beach. Photo: Rosanne Turner

On summer evenings, families and friends gather for picnic dinners on Onrus Beach, often spontaneously getting together with a pizza and bottle of bubbly after work, while those more diligent jog around the seafront peninsula unwinding after a day's work.

On the Cape Town side of Onrus lies the newer suburb of Vermont. This area is hilly, offering most of its homes sea views and it has many greenbelts of Milkwood forest. Vermont's beach is known as Brekvis Baai (Breakfast Bay) and is flanked by huge dunes.

The beaches of Hermanus form part of every day life - from early morning walks with furry friends, to gatherings with friends after a day's work.

Sea breezes cool us down in summer months and well wrapped up beach walks in winter keep moods positive. The sea brings our winter visitors, the whales, followed closely by eco-tourists keen to get a glimpse of them. Hermanus is alive with energy all year round.