Explore this coastal Cape Town suburb to find a charming harbour, bustling markets, seafood restaurants, boat tours and scenic driving routes.
Hout Bay is a scenic village in between magnificent Chapman’s Peak and a wide bay, just south from central Cape Town. Visit this charming waterfront district for its beaches, abundant wildlife, fresh seafood and local markets.
The beach at Hout Bay is wide and has calm waters. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach or take a dip on a hot summer’s day. Wander to the Mariner’s Wharf to see the comings and goings of the harbour. Take a seat at one of the restaurants on the wharf and try fresh and local yellowfin tuna.
A short walk along the waterfront will bring you to Bay Harbour, a diverse marketplace with over 100 stalls and a stage for live music. Find regional art and handicrafts as well as fresh seafood and organic produce. The market is open Friday to Sunday and closed on public holidays.
Jump on a charter boat tour from the harbour and explore around Sentinel Mountain to the little landmass of Duiker Island. Here, you can see South African fur seals lounging on the rocks. Nearby, spot the famous surf spot Dungeons, where surfers from around the world compete in annual competitions. Join a sea kayaking tour for a closer look at the shoreline and towering cliffs of Chapman’s Peak.
Don’t miss the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park. This destination features over 3,000 birds as well as baboons, monkeys and meerkats in exciting walkthrough enclosures. Open daily, this wildlife park is only 10-minutes’ drive from the marina.
Discover the Chapman’s Peak Drive, a 9-kilometre (5-mile) hiking and driving route that cuts through the mountainside and winds past beautiful coastal views and picnic areas.
Hout Bay is approximately 25 minutes from central Cape Town by car. Catch a hop-on hop-off tourist bus to Hout Bay or make the scenic drive in a rental car through the coastal roads or scenic Table Mountain route. Car parking is available at the marina.
