Hout Bay, Cape Town Central: Address, Phone Number, Hout Bay Reviews: 4.5/5
Hout Bay
4.5
About
Enclosed by ocean, mountains and wine farms, the former fishing village offers a country affair with some adventure thrown in.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience Hout Bay
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
65 within 5 kms

Mariner's Wharf
1Â 676
0.2 kmRR - RRR • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly

The Lookout Hout Bay Restaurant & Bar
875
0.3 kmRR - RRR • Bar • Seafood • Sushi

The Wharfside Grill
295
0.2 kmRR - RRR • Seafood • Gluten Free Options

Dario's Cafe
127
0.6 kmRR - RRR • Italian • Pizza • Cafe

Muriel's
68
0.2 kmR • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food

Snoekies Hout Bay
184
0.6 kmR • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food

Fish on the Rocks
471
0.7 kmR • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food

Dunes Beach Restaurant & Bar
1Â 116
0.9 kmRR - RRR • Bar • Seafood • Contemporary

Cheyne's
514
1.1 kmRR - RRR • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Sinnfull Ice Cream
23
0.7 kmRR - RRR • Dessert • Cafe
Attractions
50 within 10 kms

Hout Bay Beach
135
0.2 kmBeaches

Karbonkelberg Tourism
11
0.2 kmHiking Trails

Bay Harbour Market
825
0.4 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Urban Brewing Co.
36
0.7 kmBreweries

Chapman's Peak Drive
1Â 143
2.7 kmScenic Drives

Duiker Island
216
2.3 kmIslands

Silvermine Nature Reserve
328
Parks

Constantia Valley
129
Neighbourhoods • Nature & Wildlife Areas

Beau Constantia
607
Wineries & Vineyards

Noordhoek Beach
233
Bodies of Water • Beaches
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
3Â 334 reviews
Excellent
1Â 661
Very good
1Â 250
Average
330
Poor
61
Terrible
32
Eileen
1 contribution
Apr 2022
Lovely little fishing town - well worth making a stop to walk around the shops, the beach and also the harbour area. Lots of good restaurants, we only visited two, but both were really good. We had no problem with safety, parked and walked to a restaurant one time, and had to ask for directions. Never felt unsafe.
Interesting point - because it is on the other side of the mountain from Cape Town, the weather may be completely different! We woke up on a cloudy, overcast day in Llandudno, drove to Hout Bay and it was blue skies and sunny!
Interesting point - because it is on the other side of the mountain from Cape Town, the weather may be completely different! We woke up on a cloudy, overcast day in Llandudno, drove to Hout Bay and it was blue skies and sunny!
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Stephen Morris
Dubai, United Arab Emirates43 contributions
Mar 2022
A perfect stop off in a day tour from Cape Town Waterfront to Cape Point.
Hout Bay is a lovely working fishing town with small curio shops on the quayside and views of the seals basking in the bay sunshine
Hout Bay is a lovely working fishing town with small curio shops on the quayside and views of the seals basking in the bay sunshine
Written 21 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tanya d
Johannesburg, South Africa65 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Best fish and chips. On every visit to Cape Town this is one of our first stops to enjoy great seafood and the beautiful view. Always see some seals lazing around . Can be very busy at peak times . We usually go during the week lunchtime and the que is not too bad . But it’s worth it . Relaxed atmosphere.
Written 27 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ben
London, UK2 contributions
Feb 2022 • Business
Questionable how safe Hout Bay is, while staying in Cape Town I cycled through Hout Bay on the main roads on a Sunday morning and was heavily hit by people on the side of the road throwing large rocks attempting to knock me off, I was luck to get away. I would stay well clear of the area.
Written 13 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
gastropod
Hout Bay, South Africa24 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
We are a bunch of open water swimmers, we had a wonderful swim across the bay and back (about 1.4km) we were lucky with a warm day and still waters. The pandemic hasn't been kind and businesses have closed etc. It would be great to see support for this stunning location and its great locals.
Written 9 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NauticalVoyager
Camperdown, South Africa1Â 384 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Was really looking forward to a visit as had heard this was such a quaint village. Disappointed to discover beggars everywhere .. literally at every traffic light and stop street. Pushy vendors approached us the moment we parked our car at the beach front to try sell touristy wears and to be honest it did make us feel uncomfortable as we felt we were being constantly watched. The beach was littered with bottles, plastic and other rubbish and so we decided to cut our day visit short. I am sure this place once had charm especially around the port area but we certainly did not enjoy our experience.
Written 2 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3Â 142 contributions
Nov 2021
About 20 km south of Cape Town's center is Hout Bay. A small town with a port in a spectaculair setting of mountains, bay and ocean, the place itself is not that interesting, buy okay and pretty relaxed. There are (fish) restaurants and cafés, supermarkets, some schools, police station and even a small, but interesting museum. The main attraction is the port area with beach. Boats to Duiker island depart from here, but small vessels and yachts are plentiful.
Overall well worth a visit. MyCiTi buses 108, 109 and 118 connect Houtbay to Cape Town central. Buses are frequent except on Sundays.
Overall well worth a visit. MyCiTi buses 108, 109 and 118 connect Houtbay to Cape Town central. Buses are frequent except on Sundays.
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cindy D
Port Elizabeth, South Africa12 contributions
May 2021
such a beautiful; place clean and friendly people was really very awesome to experience. Will definitely recommend a trip here
Written 20 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Janavdv
Pretoria, South Africa119 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Oh my, yet another beautiful place and best fish and chips I ever had. I love this place. Would absolutely visit again.
Written 28 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
yhismail
Centurion, South Africa15 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Beautiful place to see, great atmosphere. Must eat at 'Fish on the Rocks'. Any fish fresher is probably still swimming. Take pics with seals, see the fisherman leaving and docking. A must see
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tom C
Solihull, UK18 contributions
We are leaving South Africa tomorrow to head back to the UK and are thinking of stopping off at Hout Bay for some lunch before heading to the airport. Would we see seals swimming in the bay when we are walking around or would we have to get a boat trip out to see them? Unfortunately we won’t have time for a boat trip. Thanks
Coryy20
Port of Spain, Trinidad4Â 582 contributions
At hours bay you will not see seals swimming around but you will definitely see a sea lion on the pier and even get to feed it. There is a gentleman on the pier with the seal entertaining tourists with his dead lion.. you may even get to feed it snd take pics with it and houts bay is beautiful with great tasting fish and chips.. definite must visit
Tom C
Solihull, UK18 contributions
We are leaving South Africa tomorrow to head back to the UK and are thinking of stopping off at Hout Bay for some lunch before heading to the airport. Would we see seals swimming in the bay when we are walking around or would we have to get a boat trip out to see them? Unfortunately we won’t have time for a boat trip. Thanks
Yves R
233 contributions
Hi, i am so sorry to have not replied. I was travelling and didnt get a notification from trip advisor. I hope you went there to have lunch and fun looking at the seals swimming in the ocean?
Jeremy H
2 contributions
Bonjour, je voulais savoir combien de temps durait cette activité et son coût?
Peut on approcher l'otarie, la toucher ?
Merci
Mara V
81 contributions
It has no cost, is a place to visit and to watch the excellent views! You can take a tour to the island to watch sea lions and that will have a cost. But it is optional.
razan h
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia8 contributions
I would like to visit cape town for 10 nights is it a good idea to rent a house in Hout Bay and go in the morning to discover cape town?
Nicholasdurhone
Curepipe, Mauritius34 contributions
Hi. Hout's Bay is some kind of village by the sea. You will definitely then need a car to go to the waterfront and back.
Michael e
Cairo, Egypt
Is there any transportation from cape town to hout bay ??
Z7559PVmohamede
Durban, South Africa590 contributions
There is very good and reliable bus service called the Myciti bus service.You can take the bus from Cape Town airport to the Civic Centre in town.From the Civic Centre there are many bus routes that can connect you to Hout Bay or Camps Bay or the Waterfront or Table Mountain or other suburbs like Green point, Sea Point,Milnerton,Tableview,Century City and others.Buy a card and load money and tap in and out at bus stations which have security guards and CCTV monitors.
Debbie N
Manchester, UK2 contributions
How far is the B and B from local bars and restaurants
CloneyBristol
Bristol70 contributions
We didn't actually stay in Houts Bay we stayed in Fresnaye and toured down the coast stopping off at various places including Cape Point.
Hope you visit and that you enjoy South Africa as much as we did.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hout Bay
- We recommend booking Hout Bay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 50 Hout Bay tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hout Bay:
- Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour from Cape Town (From RÂ 865,84)
- Full-Day Cape Point & Cape Peninsula Sightseeing Tour from Cape Town (From RÂ 1Â 108,11)
- Two Oceans Scenic Helicopter Flight from Cape Town (From RÂ 4Â 226,47)
- Cape Town City Pass including Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Transport (From RÂ 1Â 592,65)
- Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast (From RÂ 2Â 840,93)
- Hotels near Hout Bay:
- (0.31 km) Villa Afrique
- (0.38 km) Hout Bay Backpackers
- (0.31 km) Seacliffe Lodge
- (0.56 km) Beach House Guest House
- (0.66 km) Poseidon Guest House
- Restaurants near Hout Bay:
- (0.17 km) Muriel's
- (0.23 km) Mariner's Wharf
- (0.22 km) The Wharfside Grill
- (0.35 km) The Lookout Hout Bay Restaurant & Bar
- (0.64 km) Dario's Cafe