About Hout Bay

Hout Bay is an historic, and still working, fishing village situated in a valley on the Atlantic seaboard in the Western Cape, twenty kilometres south of the Cape Town CBD. It has a sheltered white sand beach which is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. Hout Bay features one of the busiest fishing harbours in the Western Cape and has an established crayfish, tuna and snoek industry. It is also home to the Hout Bay Yacht Club and several restaurants.

To the north, east and west, Hout Bay is surrounded by mountains, with the southern Atlantic Ocean lying to the south. The Table Mountain National Park borders the suburb to the north, with the backside of the Twelve Apostles mountain range bordering Hout Bay to the north-west. The western border is formed by Little Lion’s Head, Karbonkelberg, Kaptein’s Peak and The Sentinel. To the east, Hout Bay is bordered by the Vlakkenberg, Skoorsteenskopberg and Constantiaberg.

Hout Bay’s local color, scenery and numerous attractions make it a popular place for both local and international visitors. It can become very congested by midday, especially over the Christmas holidays. One of the suburb’s most  popular attractions is the Hout Bay Harbour Market where handmade art and crafts can be bought and a wide range of foods are available. Hout Bay is also home to the World of Birds bird sanctuary and zoo, which is commonly visited by families with young children, featuring more than 3 000 birds of 400 different species, as well as small rescued animals such as monkeys, marmosets, mongooses, foxes, genets and porcupines. The harbour offers visitors craft stores, fish outlets and boat rides to Duiker Island and around The Sentinel. Other places of interest in Hout Bay include the old mining jetty and Kronendal, an elegant Cape Dutch house that is presently a restaurant

There are three roads that lead into Hout Bay, all of which are scenic drives. Chapman’s Peak is one of the most beautiful routes you can find offering views that will take your breath away. The route over Suikerbossie Hill to Llandudno, in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles, also features breathtaking views. The road over Constantia Nek joins up with the Constantia Wine Route and provides a bird’s eye view of False Bay.

The affluence of Hout Bay is juxtaposed with the Imizamo Yethu township, where you can do walking tours with City SightSeeing. Bustling and lively Joshua’s Tavern lies in the heart of the township, and it is the place to be if you want to experience township life, culture and music. Some of the other attractions of Hout Bay include hiking, cycling, abseiling, game fishing and aquatic sports.

Hout Bay Blog Posts
Our Favourite Restaurants in Hout Bay
Video of Hout Bay and Its People

Other Cities in the Atlantic Seaboard Region: Bantry Bay, Camps Bay, Clifton, Green Point & Waterfront, Mouille Point, Sea Point & Three Anchor Bay