From cave remnants, we know that late stone-age people called Hout Bay their home between 300AD and 500AD, while the present name originated from the Dutch explorer Jan Van Riebeeck who named it after the vast wooded area (Hout meaning wood). Because of its unpretentious and independent spirit, the ‘Republic of Hout Bay’ is one of the best places to experience the Fairest Cape in all of its glory. Hout Bay accommodation features hospitable comfort and simple elegance, while most homes and hotels overlook the bay from where you can watch whales, if the season is right.
Who goes there?
Hout Bay is frequented by families and romantic couples, hip young things looking for surf action, and tourists looking to experience the rest of the peninsula. Hout Bay makes an excellent stop for a journey around the peninsula, either for lunch or longer. Many boutique stores draw a clientele of international standards, while the feel of the little village is unpretentious. Retirement villages and youthful stores ensure that the village holds something for everyone.
When to visit Hout Bay?
Hout Bay is sheltered from the ominous wind which afflicts Cape Town during the winter, which makes this town the perfect holiday destination for anyone looking for a bit of luxury. Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, Hout Bay’s waters are perpetually cooler than its False Bay cousin’s. Temperatures here echo the European climate, with warm dry summers reaching to about 28°C and cold wet winters where the mercury rarely drops below 5°C in the evenings.
Close By Attractions
* Dungeons: For those made of stern stuff, why not take a boat trip out to the infamous big wave surfing competition and watch the boys strut their stuff on short boards? Do not attempt to try this at home, at school, or anywhere else, for that matter.
* Shark spotting: Hout Bay is known for its shark population, and what better way to see these apex predators than in a specialised cage? If getting up close and personal with Great Whites is not for you, an option to stay on the boat is available.
Things to do near Hout Bay
Table Mountain is simply a ten minute drive away, while the Peninsula drive around Chapman’s Peak is a must-do – pack your camera with plenty of power for both of these trips out.
The things to do in and around Hout Bay are nearly endless: Go horse riding in the hills of Hout Bay, take the children to the World of Birds wildlife sanctuary, have a luxurious sunset cruise out into the Bay, or simply try some of the renowned seafood at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Shopping in Hout Bay
Shopping is a relaxing activity in Hout Bay, as is mostly everything else. The Hout Bay Sunday Market is one of the biggest in the Western Cape, providing everything you may need for your Cape Town holiday trinkets. Come with your children or just take a stroll by yourself, this market is open to everyone. Because of the small nature of the village, Hout Bay has very few shopping centres, but many of the small boutique shops are worth visiting, if only for the entertainment value of the tree-lined streets and street cafes.
Restaurants and Entertainment
A plethora of restaurants exist in Hout Bay, from the sushi bar of Asu-Ma’s Sushi Restaurant to the stunning views of the Chapman’s Peak restaurant and Dune’s Restaurant and Bar. No matter what your taste buds are craving, you can rest assured that a restaurant exists for your evening or morning meal.
Getting around
Three routes to the city exist when you are staying in Hout Bay accommodation – choose to travel the long way around, through Chapman’s Peak and over Cape Point (the route with the most views), take the back way through Constantia and Kirstenbosch and nip across the Southern Suburbs, or you can take the Camps Bay route and be in town in under half an hour. Whatever you choose to do, it is mostly recommended that you hire a car for your trip as the views on the Atlantic Seaboard route should be savoured.
Further a field
Hout Bay sits at the entrance to Chapman’s Peak drive, well worth the trip to Cape Point if you want to see the point where two oceans collide.
Further out you can find the Cape Winelands where most of the famous Cape wines are produced – Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl all offer wine-tasting and personalised tours around the wine farms if you wish to spend a few hours on the estate.
Welcome to the Republic of Hout Bay, the sunniest place in Cape Town! Come and experience the stunning little town, surrounded by wine farms and sunny hills, and home to the surfing world’s most difficult competition – the Big Wave Africa!
