A short drive south from the centre of Cape Town will bring you to Hout Bay, a photogenic seaside village in a truly memorable setting. Perched on a bay, and with mountains rising high on either side, this charming settlement is a perfect spot for leisurely walks and wildlife spotting. You will also find a bustling fisherman’s wharf, a market, and a number of seafood restaurants.
Take a stroll down the wide, flat beach at Hout Bay and appreciate the scenery. The water is calm but it is also rather cold, which is great for cooling off on a hot summer’s day but less desirable at other times of the year. Head down to the Mariner’s Wharf to watch a functioning harbor at work, then sit down for a meal at one of the wharf’s terraced restaurants. Try the yellowfin tuna, freshly caught.
Continue on and explore the bustling markets at nearby Bay Harbour. More than 100 stalls offer products ranging from organic food and fresh fish to handicrafts and fine art, all to the upbeat sounds of live music. The markets are open from Friday to Sunday but closed on public holidays.
Go on a cruise around the Sentinel Mountain and see the South African fur seals sunning themselves on the rocks of Duiker Island. You will also pass the famous surf spot called Dungeons, whose giant waves are the site for an annual surfing competition. Alternatively, join a sea kayaking tour to the shorelines and cliffs off Chapman’s Peak.
Make a trip to the World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park, just ten minutes’ drive from the marina. The sanctuary’s walkthrough enclosures are home to thousands of birds as well as a delightful array of mammals including meerkats and baboons.
Stunning views of the coastal landscape are available from the Chapman’s Peak Drive, a 9-kilometre (5-mile) road that cuts through the side of the mountain. Drive or hike along this route to discover its various picnic areas and lookouts.
Just 25 minutes’ drive from central Cape Town, Hout Bay is best reached by car. Parking is available at the marina. Follow the Atlantic coastal road or take the route that skirts along the western edge of Table Mountain National Park. You can also take a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus there.
