Hout Bay

Cape Town

Photo provided by South African Tourism
Hout Bay Beach which includes a coastal town and a sandy beach
Hout Bay
Photo provided by South African Tourism
Hout Bay Beach featuring a marina

Browse stalls and enjoy live music in the harbour market, trek along the mountain trails and surf atop Atlantic swells.

Hout Bay is a valley town in the shadow of enormous Table MountainOpens in a new window and its national park. It offers one of the world’s top surfing spots, a rich fishing scene and a variety of hotels to suit vacationers’ budgets. Admire the flowing stream of the Hout Bay River meandering through the center of the town.

Rent a car to drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, an acclaimed route hugging the sides of its namesake mossy green mountain and overlooking the ocean. The scenic road is part of the Cape Argus Cycle Race and the Two Oceans Marathon. Hike along the myriad trails through the mountain vegetation surrounding the town.

Stroll along the quaint Hout Bay Harbour and admire the colorful array of boats. Chat with local fishermen and rent equipment to catch yellowfin tuna and spot sea birds flying overhead. Get a glimpse into the local culture at the Bay Harbour Market, which has live music performances, arts and crafts stalls and food sections.

Spread a blanket on the sand at Hout Bay Beach for your family and friends and enjoy a picnic. Try sea kayaking and surfing in the water, which is ideal for swimming. Surfers should head to Dungeons, a highly acclaimed spot with consistently large Atlantic swells. Attend the annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa at the end of July.

Note that the name of the town also refers to the bay itself and the entire valley. Try the area’s local specialties, such as fish and chips and other seafood in the high-end restaurants.

Expect a pleasant climate year-round. Hout Bay has mild winters with fairly cold lows and hot summers from November to March.

Find the town 12 miles (20 kilometers) southwest of Cape Town in the province of Western Cape. It is just north of the communes of NoordhoekOpens in a new window and Kommetjie on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula.

Hout Bay is a lively port town with an active marina, spectacular mountain views and sandy beaches.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Hout Bay

Future Found Sanctuary, Luxury Boutique Hotel By NEWMARK
Future Found Sanctuary, Luxury Boutique Hotel By NEWMARK
10 Hunters Way, Hout Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$456 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
S$456
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Table Mountain and Camps Bay Beach are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (7 reviews)
"Absolutely stunning, extremely well maintained property and surrounding grounds. We also experienced exceptional levels of guest service from every single member of the team. Outstanding all round 4 night stay."

Reviewed on 1 Feb, 2025

Future Found Sanctuary, Luxury Boutique Hotel By NEWMARK
Taj Cape Town
Taj Cape Town
5 out of 5
1 Wale Street, corner St Georges Mall, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$249 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
S$249
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
Home away from home 💙
"The stay at Taj was just amazing. The staff were so friendly, felt like home. The facilities, services, food, ambience, top notch! Really loved the idols (lord idols) at the entrance as the decor😍 The indoor pool was heated, and fun given the rainy condition during the stay. Location is really good, ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul, 2025

Taj Cape Town
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
4 out of 5
15 Michigan Street, Airport Industria, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$146 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$146
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Always great staying here."

Reviewed on 9 Jul, 2025

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
3.5 out of 5
Silo 6, South Arm Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$184 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$184
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (640 reviews)
"Excellent location. Friendly staff!"

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK
The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK
4 out of 5
57 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$123 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
S$123
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (516 reviews)
"We stayed at the Onyx for 6 days and enjoyed it very much. Staff were very helpful and housekeeping were very good. It is in a good location, felt quite safe and the Concierge was very helpful in organising additional tours. Close to Big Red Bus stop, which allowed us to take in Cape Town. Also visited ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

The Onyx Apartment Hotel by NEWMARK
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
4 out of 5
Dockrail Road, Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape
The price is S$199 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$199
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cape Town. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (596 reviews)
Wonderful hotel, but location is remote
"Stayed for 3 nights in June 2025 prior to a group tour. The hotel is great and all of the staff members were lovely and kind! The only negative about this hotel is that it is essentially at the end of a dead end road (there is a security fence surrounding the hotel), so you have to follow the road ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul, 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Hout Bay

Groot Constantia Winery

Constantia

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Unique features of Constantia include the wineries and gardens. Make a stop by Groot Constantia Winery or Table Mountain National Park while you're exploring the area.

Constantia
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Bakoven

Bakoven is popular for its beautiful seaside views, and you might make a stop by Table Mountain National Park, a top place to visit in the area.

Bakoven
Camps Bay which includes mountains, general coastal views and landscape views

Camps Bay

4.5/5(51 area reviews)

The beaches and picture-perfect mountain views are top of the list for many visitors to Camps Bay. A stop by Camps Bay Beach or Table Mountain National Park might round out your trip.

Camps Bay
Clifton Bay Beach featuring a beach and a coastal town

Clifton

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Clifton. You might want to make time for a stop at Clifton 2nd Beach or Clifton Bay Beach.

Clifton
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Gardens

The picture-perfect mountain views and lively bars are top of the list for many visitors to Gardens. A stop by Kloof Street or Bree Street might round out your trip.

Gardens
Lions Head

Tamboerskloof

Mountain views, gardens and bars highlight some of the noteworthy features of Tamboerskloof. Make a stop by Lions Head or Table Mountain National Park while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Tamboerskloof

Hout Bay