Hout Bay Travel Guide

Cape Town
Hout Bay Beach which includes a coastal town and a sandy beach
Browse stalls and enjoy live music in the harbor market, trek along the mountain trails and surf atop Atlantic swells.

Hout Bay is a valley town in the shadow of enormous Table Mountain and its national park. It offers one of the world’s top surfing spots, a rich fishing scene and a variety of hotels to suit holiday makers’ budgets. Admire the flowing stream of the Hout Bay River meandering through the centre of the town.

Rent a car to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, an acclaimed route hugging the sides of its namesake mossy green mountain and overlooking the ocean. The scenic road is part of the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon. Hike along the myriad trails through the mountain vegetation surrounding the town.

Stroll along the quaint Hout Bay Harbour and admire the colourful array of boats. Chat with local fishermen and rent equipment to catch yellowfin tuna and spot sea birds flying overhead. Get a glimpse into the local culture at the Bay Harbour Market, which has live music performances, arts and crafts stalls and food sections.

Spread a blanket on the sand at Hout Bay Beach for your family and friends and enjoy a picnic. Try sea kayaking and surfing in the water, which is ideal for swimming. Surfers should head to Dungeons, a highly acclaimed spot with consistently large Atlantic swells. Attend the annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa at the end of July.

Note that the name of the town also refers to the bay itself and the entire valley. Try the area’s local specialties, such as fish and chips and other seafood in the high-end restaurants.

Expect a pleasant climate year-round. Hout Bay has mild winters with fairly cold lows and hot summers from November to March.

Find the town 12 miles (20 kilometres) southwest of Cape Town in the province of Western Cape. It is just north of the communes of Noordhoek and Kommetjie on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula.

Hout Bay is a lively port town with an active marina, spectacular mountain views and sandy beaches.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Hout Bay

Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
2 out of 5
Adjoining BP Service & Filling Station, at Cape Town International Airport, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is £39 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
£39
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Thanks
"Short, everything we need before our long flight"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
Taj Cape Town
Taj Cape Town
5 out of 5
1 Wale Street, corner St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is £136 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
£136
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"Great stay!"

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Taj Cape Town
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
4 out of 5
Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £129 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
£129
per night
19 Apr - 20 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (388 reviews)
"Good hotel"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
3 out of 5
Cnr Dock And Alfred Roads, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is £64 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
£64
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (686 reviews)
Great hotel.
"Was let down by the hotel I had previously booked so managed to book City Lodge at the last minute. From check-in right through my stay I felt very welcome and the staff were amazing. The restaurant was also very nice and food was amazing."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

City Lodge Hotel Victoria And Alfred Waterfront
Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
3.5 out of 5
Silo 6, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is £139 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
£139
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (412 reviews)
"The staff are awesome! Friendly and very helpful. They indulged me with amenities, kindness & service. They could not do enough. It was a fun place to stay and is centrally located near so many activities. Amazing!!"

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2024

Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
4 out of 5
15 Michigan Street, Airport Industria, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is £88 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
£88
per night
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 29 Mar 2024

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Hout Bay

Groot Constantia Winery

Constantia

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Unique features of Constantia include the wineries and gardens. Make a stop by Groot Constantia Winery or Table Mountain National Park while you're exploring the area.

Constantia
Camps Bay which includes mountains, general coastal views and landscape views

Camps Bay

4.5/5(51 area reviews)

The beaches and picture-perfect mountain views are top of the list for many visitors to Camps Bay. A stop by Camps Bay Beach or Table Mountain National Park might round out your trip.

Camps Bay
Clifton Bay Beach featuring a beach and a coastal town

Clifton

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Clifton. You might want to make time for a stop at Clifton Bay Beach or Table Mountain National Park.

Clifton
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Gardens

The picture-perfect mountain views and lively bars are top of the list for many visitors to Gardens. A stop by Kloof Street or Bree Street might round out your trip.

Gardens
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Bantry Bay

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Bantry Bay is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Sea Point Promenade and Table Mountain National Park while in the area.

Bantry Bay
Cape Town which includes a city and night scenes

City Bowl

The majestic mountain landscape and popular shops are just a few highlights of City Bowl. Make a stop by South African Museum and Planetarium or Kloof Street while you're exploring the area.

City Bowl

More to explore for Hout Bay


Hout Bay Travel Guide

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