Hout Bay

Hout Bay is situated at the west side of the Cape Peninsula. You can get there by car, following the road along the west coast of Peninsula. From the Cape Town city centre drive to Camps Bay and from there all along the sea. You can also get there from the east side of the Peninsula and from the Cape of Good Hope.
Park your car at the parking lot by the harbour.

The harbour is the main attraction. It is quiet and full of bustling fisher boats at the same time.

Watch the fisherman unload their fresh fish, old ladies repairing the nets or go on a trip to Seal Island to see the local seal colony.
A visit to Hout Bay is incomplete without a visit to the World of Birds, a wonderful bird park, touted to be the biggest in the western cape. Make sure that you time your visit to coincide with the feeding of the Squirrel monkeys.
Chapman's Peak Drive starts just south of Hout Bay. This toll road offers spectacular views, especially at sunset. If you're a world class big wave surfer, Hout Bay is the location of Dungeons home to some of the worlds biggest surfable waves in winter.

• 2 Oceans Maritime Academy

  phone: +27 21 790 2442
  address: 27 Victoria Road, Hout Bay
  learn to sail

There is an antique store next to the restaurant, which is definitely worth a visit!

• Dolce & Banana

  phone: +27 21 790-0802
  address: 5 Main Road
  Unique shop where all products are made in Houtbay from quirky decor items to exquisite fashion jewellery and accessories.

• Mainstream Centre

  address: cnr Main Road and Pricess Beach, Hout Bay

Taste fresh lobsters or other seafood and fish at the local restaurant. It is cheap compared to prices in inner Cape Town, but can be bought for less at more quiet places.

• Fish & Chips at Mariner's Wharf

  phone: +27 21 790-1100
  address: Hout Bay Harbour
  Very good fish & chips. Sometimes overcrowded but worth waiting in the queue.

• Lookout Deck

  address: Hout Bay Harbour
  Visit them for a perfect seafood platter.

• Dunes Restaurant

  phone: +27 21 790-1876
  address: 1 Beach Road
  Good food and excellent views.

• Thai Cafe

• Visit the Chapman's cigar bar at the foot of Chapman's Peak for a sun-downer, you would also be making no mistake tasting their pan-fried Calamari, possibly the best in the world!
• Try the local sushi restaurant run by Bruce and his wife.
• The Pirates den has DJs some nights, but many locals steer clear and thus the place can be very empty.
• A local gem is the Work Shop, claimed to be the smallest (licensed) pub in Africa is serves as a good meeting place when the weather is good, drink is cheap and the local young folk enjoy meeting new people and will always talk to any new faces. Talk to William the resident barman for an introduction to the local crowd.

• Renaissance Courtyard Cafe

  phone: +27 21 790-7202
  address: Mainstream Shopping Centre, Main Road
  A truly beautiful coffee shop with its enclosed garden and French café atmosphere.

Accommodation in Hout Bay consists mainly of smaller guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, prices vary and it is worth shopping around for the best option. Try searching to find accommodation to fit your budget and requirements, as more establishments offer their own websites and direct online booking facilities, securing the right accommodation is much easier. Booking in advance is essential over the peak periods and in particular over December and January.

Budget

• The Bay LodgeOverlooks the bay and surrounding mountains. It offers continental and cooked breakfast.

• Howberry FarmIt is ideally situated for informative tours of this settlement, allowing a unique view and understanding of the opportunities and problems presented by life in the new South Africa. Very popular with long-stay 'Gap Year' students.

Mid-range

• Le Marais

  phone: +27 21 790-9562
  address: 2 Harold Close, Oakhurst Estate
  B&B and selfcatering, run by French hosts, Patrice and Denis, with a superb interior design.

• Shambala Guest Lodge

  phone: +27 21 790-4328
  address: 7 Little Lions Head Road
  Set in a lush and tranquil garden on the sunny slopes of Little Lion’s Head mountain, overlooking the valley of Hout Bay. Offers a selection of one and two bedroom self-catering suites. Breath taking views and beach access close by.

• Villa RomanticaSituated directly at the beach, opposite the waterfront, allowing easy access.

• Hout Bay Apartments

  phone: +27 12 668-1069
  Bordering the nature reserve on the mountain slopes above Hout Bay. Spectacular views of Chapman's Peak and The Sentinels. Apartments are fully serviced daily.

• Riverside Estates Guest House

  phone: +27 21 790-7475
  Is a tranquil, family-friendly holiday venue on a spreading, 5-acre garden(Opposite World of Birds). Rate from R820 per person.

Splurge

• La Dolce Vita

  address: 17 The Village Square
  A four-star luxury two bedroom apartment with stunning sea and mountain views that sleeps four, in a modern building with swimming pool, just minutes from the beach.

• Hout Bay ManorOffers continental breakfast and despite all the normal facilities complimentary use of the local gym and internet access.

• The Pearl of Hout Bay

  phone: +27 21 791-3138
  address: Victoria Road
  A modern contemporary hotel offers daily breakfasts and a mountain view.