Often referred to as the "Heart of the Cape", Hout Bay is a 20 minute drive from the Cape Town City Centre. It boasts a mix of unique stores, markets and a stunning family beach. It's right at the foot of the one-end of Chapman's Peak drive and also a scenic drive from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The infamous Blue Flag Llandudno Beach is just a couple of minutes drive towards Camp's Bay. It's a brilliantly located town with a host to offer.
CLIMATE:
Moderate with average maximum around 28°C, Winter from May to August average minimum 7°C
WHAT TO SEE/DO:
The Hout Bay harbour is the 9th most visited tourist attraction in Cape Town and includes a yacht and boat marina, a working fishing fleet (and factories), a craft market, Mariners Wharf (best lobster in the city) and a couple of fish and chip outlets.
RESTAURANTS:
The Woodcutter Arms is a small pub in the hub of restaurants that offers an intimate British-style look & feel with a few screens for sports, large offering of beers and wines and fantastic Jalapeno Poppers. In addition, there is Pakalolo, a vibey bar and Ristorante Posticino for some fantastic pizza.
There is Hout Bay Vineyards, Kitma Restaurant (Thai), Cheyne's (Pacific island and Asian food), The Indian Oven, Ragafellows (American-style), Clay Cafe (enjoy a meal whilst getting creative) and more.
ACTIVITIES:
- Bay Harbour Market (be sure to visit the ice-cream shop opposite the market on the same road - its delish!)
- World of birds
- Boat cruise with Circe Launches
GETTING THERE:
- Buses: the Golden Arrow buses shuttle from the city to Hout Bay.
- The City Sightseeing Cape Town: The hope-on and hop-off buses make stops in Camps Bay and Hout Bay
- Shared Taxis run regularly from the city to Sea Point and Camps Bay
Source: Houtbay.org
- Hout Bay Craft Market (10am - 5pm on Sundays)
- Hout Bay Beach
- Chapmans Peak Drive that connects Hout Bay to Noordhoek
- Short drive from the Blue Flag Llandudno Beach
- Short drive from Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Boat cruises
- Duiker Island just off the coast
- Fantastic restaurants and pubs in the area
- Kayaking/surf lessons and bikes for rent from The Boardroom Adventure Centre
Jan van Riebeeck described Hout Bay as having the most beautiful forests he had ever seen. The timber was used to help build the fort at Cape Town and the subsequent port that grew to Cape Town City.
Hout Bay was divided up into a few farms: Kronendal, Moddergat and Ruyteplaats. Over time the farms were divided up however today, Hour Bay still enjoys a rural atmosphere with several equestrian estate and small holdings.
