Top Things To Do in Hout Bay, Cape Town

Nestled in a valley 12 miles south of downtown Cape Town is the pleasant village of Hout Bay.

Surrounded on three sides by mountains and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, there are quite a few things to do in Hout Bay that draw tourists to visit!

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5 Best Things To Do in Hout Bay, SA

We were so enamored by the serene landscapes, we chose Hout Bay as our home base for our Cape Town Itinerary.

Although many of our days included essential Cape Town sightseeing, we were also able to spend plenty of time discovering a few of the great things to see in Hout Bay!

#1 Shop at the Hout Bay Market

The Bay Harbour Market is housed in an old fish factory. With an array of items for sale – from unique souvenirs to handmade crafts to trendy clothes – we could spend hours perusing the wares at each stall.

Once we got our shopping fix, we directed our attention to the beautiful displays and fragrant scents coming in the overflowing food court.

The options include tapas, fresh-made soup, entrees of lamb…and just about everything else in between. Sushi and sausages were vying for our attention when we were distracted by the craft brew.

While trying to determine which drink would best whet our whistle, we had another choice to make. Sit inside with a view of the boisterous market or outside with a view of the mountains.

At the same time, a solo guitarist took the stage to kick off the mid-day entertainment. So it was settled. We grabbed pints, ordered a sausage platter to share and found seats at an indoor picnic table!

Top Tip: The market is only open Friday from 5pm-9pm and Saturday/Sunday from 9:30am-4pm. Also check the official website for the most current information.

#2 Eat at Hout Bay Restaurants

Although a rather small community, there are no shortage of restaurants in Hout Bay, South Africa. Our favorite dining experience was at Dunes – one the top-rated restaurants in Hout Bay.

We dined al fresco with friends and feasted on fresh seafood (although lamb and beef are recommended, too!). As it’s on the beach, we opted for the balcony seating, which offers stunning views over the sea and Chapman’s Peak.

Top Tip: Looking for things to do in Cape Town with kids? Check out the Clay Cafe!

Hout Bay Fish and Chips

It wouldn’t be right to skip Hout Bay Harbour fish and chips for lunch! The local fishing industry is known for quality tuna, snoek and crayfish.

The are several Hout Bay seafood restaurants on the harbor. They range from take-away shacks selling fresh fish straight from the sea to well-known establishments, like Fish on the Rocks Hout Bay.

There is some debate about who has the best fish and chips in Hout Bay – Fish on the Rocks or Snoekies. We opted for sizzling platters of fried calamari and fresh fish and chips from Fish 4 Africa.

#3 Visit Mariner’s Wharf Hout Bay

This maritime complex combines seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and fish markets in one place. The Wharfside Grill offers fare (at tourist prices) in a vibrant atmosphere.

Throughout the day, crews are busy unloading the fresh catch and a few fish and chips shacks are open. Seals will undoubtedly be hanging around somewhere, waiting for leftover scraps of fish to be tossed their way.

We met one man on the wharf who said he has been feeding the same seal for 13 years.

He even puts fish between his teeth and hangs over the edge and waits for the seal to jump up and grab it! Street musicians are often around, churning out African rhythms while singing and dancing.

#4 Set Sail on Hout Bay Boat Trips

It would be a shame to spend a day by the sea and not set sail on a cruise! There are multiple boat excursions that depart from the harbor, but the most popular is the Hout Bay Seal Island Cruise.

Seals have taken up home at the nearby Duiker Island – and Hout Bay Seal Island cruises give tourists and up-close view of thousands of Cape Fur seals.

#5 Swim in the Sea at Hout Bay Beach

Taking one of the seal Island boat trips isn’t the only way to spend time at sea. Just head to the powder white sands of the beach and take a dip in the refreshing waters!

The crescent-shaped beach is often protected from wind, which makes it a great place for a fun day in the sun. Simply enjoying the beach was one of our favorite Hout Bay activities.

During our Spring visit, we preferred to walk on the beach and let the waves lick at our toes rather than get all the way in the water.

More Hout Bay Things To Do

Need more ideas of what to do in Hout Bay? Here are a few more tips for visit to Cape Town!

Learn History at Hout Bay Museum

This museum was established in 1979 and features displays detailing the interesting and lengthy history. Visit their Facebook Page for more information.

Spend an afternoon at World of Birds

World of Birds is one of the kids’ activities in Cape Town that can be enjoyed by adults, too! The bird sanctuary is the largest bird park in Africa and is home to more than 3,000 birds.

Top Tip: You can buy your World of Birds Hout Bay entrance ticket in advance!

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Hout Bay marks the northern end of the famous coastal Chapman’s Peak Drive that winds south to Noordhoek. The picturesque coastal road has 114 curves and several incredible viewpoints!

Top Tip: No wheels? No problem! Join a guide ride and ride a trike on the route! More information about the drive can be found on the Official Website.

Imizamo Yethu Township Tour

This township is located adjacent to Hout Bay neighborhoods. The rustic and informal settlement houses about 33,000 people, many of whom live in metal shacks.

Tours organized by locals allow visitors a glimpse in how people live in Imizamo Yethu and an opportunity to buy homemade goods and wares.

Top Tip: The Hop On Hop Off Cape Town bus tour makes a stop at the township and offers guided tours – more tour bus info.

Tips For Your Trip to Cape Town, SA

We have a few additional travel tips and packing hacks for your trip to South Africa.

Getting to Hout Bay

Hout Bay is just a 20-minute drive from Cape Town CBD, but visitors who don’t have a car can use the public bus (Route 109) or the City Sightseeing Cape Town Bus Tour.

Where To Stay in Hout Bay

For those who want to stay in the village, there are a couple of Hout Bay hotel options – and numerous guest houses and short-term holiday rentals.

We stayed in an Airbnb Apartment, which worked great for us. It featured a small kitchen to cook meals and our own private balcony overlooking the mountains!

Some of the top-rated hotels are: Hout Bay Lodge, Chapman’s Peak Hotel and Somersby Guesthouse. You can start your search on Booking.com.

Before You Go to South Africa

Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable travel shoes. I (Sarah) have traveled with these by Columbia and Reef. Kris prefers wearing Merrell and Sanuk.
Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We shoot with a Canon Rebel.
With long days outdoors discovering the different areas, it helped to carry a day bag so that we had everything we needed with us. Read our reviews on many of the Best Day Packs for Travel!
If you haven’t already obtained insurance, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.

Start planning your trip to South Africa! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

More For Your Trip to Cape Town

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