4. Hout Bay

A popular seaside village (many refer to it as the Republic of Hout Bay) famous for its good seafood, relaxed atmosphere and working harbour area. A boat trip to Seal Island with around 5000 seals offers a unique and pleasant experience. Chapmans Peak drive provides fantastic views over the village and is not to be missed. Perfectly end your day with a romantic walk on the beachfront.

As you drive over the hill just past Llandudno, you are greeted by the beautiful town of Hout Bay – a place close to many people’s hearts. Its day to day life is very different to city life – here you can watch fishermen trade their day’s stock and grab fresh fish yourself. The town is  surrounded by spectacular mountains and has a peaceful charm to it. Tourism and fishing are the main industries. If you lucky to be here in August, visit the annual Snoek Derby Festival.

Head straight down to the beach and park at The Promenade/Beach road off Main Road. Start your expedition with a quite walk on the beach.  Walk all along the beach to Mariners Wharf – South Africa’s first harbour front emporium. It has a great harbour ambience and you cannot help to feel at home. Here you will find several seafood restaurants, pubs and very interesting sea shops – it’s a meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Whether you feel like grabbing a fish and chips and watching the loud seagulls, or sitting table at one of the finest seafood restaurants in South Africa (The Warfside Grill), it’s all here. Allow yourself enough time, sit back and relax. Some other popular Hout Bay restaurants include Dunes Restaurant (on the beachfront – lovely location) and The Lookout Deck Restaurant and Bar (for amazing views over the harbour – a great venue for seal watching)

An interesting tourist attraction is a boat trip to Duiker Island from the harbour (“Duiker” is the Afrikaans name for a certain small South African antelope). The island, just off the coast of Hout Bay is home to over 5000 seals lazing around in their natural habitat. The scenic boat ride takes you close to them and it’s a unique experience to watch and listen to these interesting creatures.

If you find the seals interesting, but maybe not as beautiful (can you blame them), head to the wonderful World of Birds. This is the biggest bird park in Africa and it’s any nature lover’s dream. With over 3000 birds, monkeys and small animals of 400 different species in over 100 walk through enclosures, it’s something for the eye! Enjoy a fresh cup of tea in the delightful tea garden.

Time to hit the road again – and a beautiful one. Chapmans Peak drive (M6) is arguably thé most spectacular coastal road in the world. The pass had been closed for some time because of dangerous rock falls, but the newly constructed road is much safer. Keep your speed though as the road circles through narrow curves. Fantastic new lookout points are situated all along the pass – make a point of it to stop at each lookout to enjoy the wonderful vistas. To experience the road at its best drive all the way to Noordhoek and back to Hout Bay, as parking for view points can mostly only be accessed from the Noordhoek to Hout Bay direction. There is a R20 toll charge per vehicle.

End your day with a romantic walk on the beach front, or a relaxing tea at the Suikerbossie Restaurant – a very famous tea room and a have-to-visit spot in Hout Bay (Serving tea Mondays-Fridays – call first over weekends)

On your way back to Cape Town, take the M63 (Main Road becoming Hout Bay road) through Constantia Nek. It takes you through beautiful farmland, mountain and forest scenery into the southern suburbs towards the N2 into Cape Town.

How to get there

Whatever way you choose to enter Hout Bay, it’s spectacular.

From Llandudno (see directions to Llandudno) Continue with Victoria road that will bring you into town. Suikerbossie Tea Garden is located on your left just as you go over the hill from Llandudno. Take care not to speed as you drive down the hill. You can either go straight towards Mariners Wharf (Victoria Road becomes Victoria Avenue) or you can turn left in Princess Street towards Main Road. The Beach can be reached either from Mariners Wharf or The Promenade/Beach road off Main.

From Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (see directions to Kirstenbosch) continue with Rhodes Drive as it becomes Hout Bay Road (M63). This road takes you into town and becomes Main Road.

For Chapmans Peak continue with Main Road from Hout Bay in a southern direction. It becomes Chapmans Peak Drive. You can also enter Hout Bay from Noordhoek village via Chapmans Peak.

You can reach the World of Birds by turning into Valley Road off Victoria Road (not Victoria avenue) in town. Continue along Valley until you see the Bird park on your left.

Travel checklist

  • Walked on Hout Bay beach
  • Seafood at Mariners Wharf 
  • Boat trip to Duiker Island 
  • Visited the World of Birds 
  • Drove through Chapmans Peak in both directions 
  • Tea at Suikerbossie Restaurant 
  • Drove through Constantia Nek 

Useful numbers

Mariners Wharf 021 790 1100
World of Birds 021 790 2730
Suikerbossie 021 790 1450
Hout Bay Museum 021 790 3270

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