Welcome to Hout Bay

The village of Hout Bay earned its name from the Afrikaans word Houtbaai meaning Wood Bay and was first made famous in 1652 for its supply of timber to the Dutch colony which had established themselves in Table Bay located a few miles up the coastline. Hout Bay has been transformed into a bustling little village with an estimated population of over 40,000 people who affectionately refer to the town as the REPUBLIC OF HOUT BAY.

Hout Bay 's beauty is unforgettable and is surrounded by an amphitheater of mountains that seem to majestically guard over its calm indigo bay. This region of South Africa is picturesque to the extreme and ocean and mountain vistas will take your breath away. The Hout Bay beach consists of a large stretch of powder white sand merging into the Atlantic Ocean . The village is a very popular tourist destination and is loved not just for its breath-taking scenery but also for the relaxed lifestyle with an emphasis on

nature, sun, sea and sand. A visit to the bustling harbour is an absolute delight. Some of the best fish cuisine can be found down at the dockside where you will also encounter creative street traders displaying their colourful wares. A number of charter companies operate out of this harbour, offering trips to Seal Island in a glass-bottomed boat, as well as fishing and sailing adventures.

Hout Bay is well known for horse riding with many stables in the area. A day visit to the renowned “World of Birds” will keep the children and ornithologists well occupied. From a scenic point of view one is spoilt for choice. The village borders on the Table Mountain National Park where one can go on wonderful hikes to Judas Peak , Klein Leeukoppie, Captain's Peak, or simply walk through the Orange Kloof Nature Reserve. If you prefer site seeing from a vehicle a drive along Chapman's Peak to Noordhoek is unforgettable. Traveling further south will take you all along the coast to Cape Point where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Travelling north, a twenty minute drive from Hout Bay to the Cape Town Waterfront along the coastal route is equally as scenic.

If you are a lover of wine, you have come to the right place. Hout Bay marks the start of the Garden Route and is ideally positioned for visits to many vineyards in the region. If history or local culture is what you are after, why not visit the Hout Bay museum or join a guided tour to Imajamojea, the informal settlement in the area, which is rich in culture and character.