Hout Bay Attractions

You will find yourself staring out to sea when you arrive in Hout Bay. The views in this sociable village are mesmerizing as Hout Bay is set in a fold of sea-lapped mountains that look out across the Atlantic Ocean. The town is presided over by the Sentinel – guardian of Hout Bay’s treasures.

The protective mountains surround Hout Bay and the long sandy beach which is ideal for swimming and water sports like sea kayaking, sailing, fishing and surfing. You will see locals walking their dogs, riding horses and families playing at the waters edge. The mountains provide excellent hiking opportunities. 

The main street in Hout Bay is full of interesting shops and there is an excellent craft market on the green every Sunday. People sit chatting in local cafes as they sample the cuisine in the many restaurants and there is a meandering feel to Hout Bay. There is also a vibrant township called Imizamo Yethu.

The lively Hout Bay fishing harbour is a working harbour for the tuna and crayfishing industries but also hosts many tourism activities including boat trips, diving & fishing.

Hout Bay was named by the Dutch explorers who “found” the wooded valley and the name literally means “wood bay”. The timber was used to help build Cape Town.

Hout Bay Accommodation:
Find and Book Hout Bay Accommodation, Hout Bay Guest Houses, Hout Bay Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation in Apartments, Cottages, Holiday Houses and Villas in Hout Bay. More…

Hout Bay Restaurants:
Great Harbour edge dining with seafood specialities and family friendly restaurants in Hout Bay.  More…

Hout Bay Beach:
The long sandy beach of Hout Bay is ideal for swimming and water sports like sea kayaking, sailing,fishing, boat trips and surfing. You will see locals walking their dogs, riding horses and families playing at the waters edge.

Hout Bay Boat Trips:
Jet Ski, Eco Tours & High Speed Boat Trips. Experience the hi-octane "Ballistic Blast" with the World Champion Team. Bugaloo Adventures in Hout Bay provides the best powered water sports and team-building events. Longer trips also available. More…

Hout Bay Shopping:
Art galleries, ceramic artists, mosaic works, linen & clothing, metal and wire sculptures, and innovative craftwork are all to be found in Hout Bay. More...

The Lions Craft Market, Hout Bay:
Held every Sunday on the Hout Bay common.

Mariner’s Wharf, Hout Bay:  
South Africa’s first harbourfront emporium in Hout Bay is well worth a visit. Offering everything from the champagne & oysters at Crayclub Bar, the Wharfside Grill, Take Outs at Seafood Bistro, Fishmarkets and Souvenir & Gift ShopsSouth Africa’s first harbour front emporium is a must-see in Hout Bay. Restaurants, shops and more all at Hout Bay Harbour. More…   

Duiker Seal Island, Hout Bay:
Daily charters from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Seal Island beneath the well known Sentinel Mountain where you can view thousands of Cape Fur Seals in their natural enviroment. Departs daily from Hout Bay Harbour: 09h15, 10h00, 10h45, 11h30, 13h30, 15h30 (35 mins). More…

Deep Sea Fishing, Hout Bay:
Experience the diverse offerings of the Atlantic Ocean off Hout Bay and participate in the exciting disciplines of Cape Town Deep Sea Fishing with qualified and experienced skippers and crew who make this a memorable excursion. The predominant offshore fish species are yellowfin tuna, longfin, mako and occasionally dorado. Inshore there is yellowtail and cape snoek with options for hooking cape salmon and kob. More…

World of Birds, Hout Bay:
A visit to Africa’s largest bird park in Hout Bay is a must! Over 3 000 birds (and small animals) of 400 different species are uniquely presented in more than 100 spacious landscaped walk through aviaries.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay:
Chapman’s Peak Drive winds it way between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, at the south-western tip of South Africa, it is one of the most spectacular marine drives anywhere in the world.  The 9km route, with its 114 curves, skirts the rocky coastline of Chapman's Peak, the 593m high southerly extension of Constantia Berg. The drive offers stunning 180° views with many areas along the route where you can stop and take in the scenery or sit down for a relaxing picnic.  More…

Imizamo Yethu Township, Hout Bay:
Walking township tours enable visitors to experience the colour and energy and lifestyle of the largely Xhosa speaking township of Imizama Yethu in Hout Bay. Here one can interact with the taverns, schools, homes, shops, music and dance or enjoy arts & crafts; meals and performances by local artists. Visitors will be fascinated by the warmth and friendliness of people who speak a language with clicks. They will learning about the tangled history of a country divided by the racial colour of its' people and the amazing transformation of change. Let's hope that children and adults who visit the Cape Point Route, discover and practice tolerance and acceptance of other people and cultures, just as South Africa herself is learning these skills.  More…

Hout Bay History:
The name "Hout Bay" (Wood Bay) was given by Jan van Riebeeck, who, after his landing in Table Bay in the year 1652, found dense forests providing the timber needed for the construction of ships and of the Castle.  Hout Bay has a long history of farming and fishing and visits to the museums in Hout Bay provide interesting insight to the history of this charming town.

The Hout Bay Museum in Andrews Road gives visitors an insight into the natural and cultural history of the area from prehistoric times to the growth of the fishing industry.

Hout Bay’s West and East end forts are historic national monuments on Chapman’s Peak and the restored canons are fired on special occasions.

Kronendal was the first farm in Hout Bay and was established in the 1670’s, however the Cape Dutch Homestead of Kronendal, was only built in 1800. Kronendal is the only surviving example of an H-plan house in the Peninsula.

The South African sea fisheries museum at the harbour has model displays and a computerized marine encyclopedia.

Hout Bay Museums:
Hout Bay Museum & SA Sea Fisheries Museum depict the natural and cultural history of how Hout Bay and the fishing industry developed.