Hout Bay
Description
Hout Bay, known as the Heart of the Cape, is a captivating coastal suburb of Cape Town. It is ideally situated just a 20 minute drive from the city centre and all of its top tourist attractions. Hout Bay enjoys a rural atmosphere surrounded by a cobalt blue ocean, magnificent mountain ranges, and eclectic shops and restaurants. Browse our list of excellent Hout Bay accommodation below.
Hout Bay, affectionately called the “Republic of Hout Bay†by its residents, is a fishing village that exudes a timeless beauty. Hout Bay is a fast growing tourist attraction that features a range of excellent accommodation, from B&Bs and guest houses, to lodges and self-catering establishments.
Hout Bay’s prime attraction is the long stretch of beach popular among tourists and locals, as well as their furry companions. Although the water is chilly, the beach bustles with surfers, swimmers, body boarders, and sea kayakers. It is situated alongside one of the busiest harbours in the Western Cape, with an established tuna, snoek, and crayfish industry. The harbour features the Hout Bay Yacht Club, which provides moorings for recreational, fishing, and sailing boats. Boat excursions are available in Hout Bay, offering trips out to Duiker Island, Seal Island, and around the Sentinel. A number of excellent restaurants are located here, as well as small take away outlets offering some of the freshest seafood in Hout Bay.
Hout Bay is known to the surfing community as the “Dungeons†and is one of the 16 recognised big wave spots around the world. The annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition is held in Hout Bay on the other side of the Sentinel Mountain, where some of the biggest waves in the world are found. The competition is held between May and August when the waves reach heights of 4 to 6 metres.
Hout Bay is surrounded by the Oranjekloof Mountains to the north; Little Lion’s Head, Karbonkelberg, Kaptein’s Peak, and the Sentinel to the west; and the Vlakkenberg, Skoorsteenskopberg, and Constantiaberg to the east. The world famous Chapman's Peak Drive is carved out of the Hout Bay mountainside and is one of the world's most scenic mountain drives. Don’t forget to visit the East and West forts built by the Dutch in the 18th century while you're in Hout Bay, with the original cannons and barracks still standing on the slopes of Chapman's Peak. The East fort is the oldest operating gun battery in the world.
Plan a visit to the Hout Bay Museum and the SA Sea Fisheries Museum, which depict the history of Hout Bay and the fishing industry, as well as the World of Birds, which features over 3000 birds in walk-through aviaries. Other activities to be enjoyed in Hout Bay include hiking, craft markets, champagne cruises to the V&A Waterfront, art galleries, and walking tours of the Imizamo Yethu Township.
Make the most of your visit by booking one of the following unique Hout Bay accommodations. As jy in Afrikaans wil bespreek, kan LekkeSlaap jou help. Soek vir Houtbaai akkommodasie.
