Hout Bay Vacations: Package & Save up to $570

Hout Bay

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

Hout Bay is a valley town in the shadow of enormous Table Mountain 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 Noordhoek 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.

Guide to Exploring Hout Bay

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Enjoy superb waterfront shopping and dining and exquisite views at South Africa’s most visited destination.

Boulders Beach

Get a privileged close-up view of an African penguin colony among the spectacular rock formations at this beach that also offers excellent swimming conditions.

Table Mountain

One of the world’s oldest mountains creates an iconic backdrop to the Cape Town skyline. Climb to the summit for breathtaking views of the surrounding coast.

Cape of Good Hope

Experience the stunning scenery and a wealth of native wildlife at what is almost Africa’s most southerly point.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Discover the diversity of South Africa’s extraordinary flora with a stroll around the country’s premier botanic gardens.

Stellenbosch

From its European architecture and art galleries to its vineyards and orchards, Stellenbosch abounds with cultural, historical and natural charm.

Somerset West

Surrounded by an amphitheater of mountains on the Western Cape, this town is a hub of nature reserves, wine estates and South African history.

Sea Point

Bring the kids to the playgrounds and cafés in this dynamic, rejuvenated coastal area in the shadow of a mossy mountain.

Redberry Farm

Fill your whole day with exciting activities at a family-friendly attraction that offers games and fun amid fields full of strawberries.

Camps Bay

Stunning sunsets and perfect blue water, scuba diving, mountain scenery and beachfront restaurants all make this one of Cape Town’s most popular beach suburbs.

Milton Beach

Pack your swimsuit for a day of beachside fun. Paddle, swim, stroll along the promenade and dine with ocean views.

Tableview

Enjoy the iconic vista, peruse the stylish shopping centers and try watersports in the Atlantic Ocean and the wetland reserve.

Sea Point Swimming Pool

Gaze up at the majestic Lion’s Head mountain from this swimming site that uses filtered seawater in its four pools.

South African Museum and Planetarium

Learn about extinct and modern land and sea animals and ponder the mysteries of the universe at this popular Cape Town institution.

Bloubergstrand

Enjoy the stunning views of Table Mountain and Robben Island and relax on the long sandy stretches in this neighborhood.

Paarl

Try fresh produce from the orchards, vineyards and farms in this picturesque and historic area where Mandela was imprisoned.

Fish Hoek

Appreciate this town’s old-world setting and delve into rare sandstone caves that overlook the pristine beach and warm, clear ocean water.

Muizenberg

Relax in colorful beach huts and stroll along the Historic Mile boulevard for a glimpse into Cape Town’s colonial origins.

Strand

This relaxed coastal town welcomes visitors with its sweeping beach and surf spots, farmers market, mountain scenery and nature walks.

Gordon's Bay

Visit this serene oceanfront town in the Western Cape area. Here you’ll find some of South Africa’s best beaches, scenic coastal drives and wildlife.

Noordhoek

Ride horses along white-sand beaches and gaze up at the picturesque mountains in this artistic neighborhood beside a nature reserve.

Simon's Town

Located on the striking shores of False Bay, this coastal town has sandy beaches, shark and fishing charters and the South African Naval Museum.

Kalk Bay

Partake in a fish auction and enjoy the charming ambiance among the fisherman and surfers of this suburban village on False Bay.

Long Street

Admire the Victorian architecture of the buildings and the quirky atmosphere in the bookstores and museums of this iconic street.

Franschhoek

The “French Corner” of South Africa’s Cape Winelands is famous for its bodegas and restaurants, art galleries, nature walks and stunning scenery.

Bo'Kaap

Learn about the rich Malay culture and history in this lively and quirky area of museums and brightly painted buildings.

Signal Hill

Hike up a prominent Cape Town landmark to enjoy gorgeous vistas across Table Bay and witness the firing of the Noon Gun.

Sea Point Pavillion

Swimming fun for all ages in four open-air seawater swimming pools from which you can enjoy wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hout Bay Beach

This lively coastal suburb of Cape Town lures visitors with its calm water and fisherman’s wharf, craft markets and scenic drives.

Castle of Good Hope

At one of South Africa’s oldest buildings, browse exhibitions about the history of Cape Town and walk on ramparts to enjoy stunning views of Table Mountain.

Groot Constantia Winery

Sample award-wining wines, take a cellar tour and visit historical buildings at this 330-year-old vineyard nestled in the lush green Constantia Valley.

Lions Head

Look down on the city and the Atlantic Ocean from the top of one of the mountains that tower over Cape Town.

Two Oceans Aquarium

With sharks, rays, tropical fish and forests of kelp, this aquatic attraction provides deep insights into life under the ocean waves.

Company Gardens

In the shadow of Table Mountain is this pleasant public park where you will find grassy lawns, themed gardens and statues of notable figures.

Cape Point

Experience an end-of-the-world sensation while discovering dramatic landscapes and spotting myriad bird species at Africa’s most southwesterly point.

South African Jewish Museum

The origin and development of the Jewish community in South Africa is revealed in the exhibitions and presentations at this compelling museum.

Camps Bay Beach

See and be seen, admire beautiful sunsets and go hiking in the famous Twelve Apostles at one of Cape Town’s most stylish beaches.

Devils Peak

Rising to the east of the iconic Table Mountain, this soaring peak has accessible hiking trails, challenging climbs and exceptional city views.

Kogel Bay Beach

Relax on the sand, take part in watersports and barbecue in front of beautiful ocean views at this attractive seaside location.

Cape Town City Hall

Listen to live music performances and admire regal architecture at this landmark structure, made famous after Nelson Mandela gave a speech from its balcony.

Llandudno Beach

Swim, surf, bodyboard or just work on your tan while enjoying the scenery at this pretty coastal spot on the Atlantic.

Clifton Bay Beach

Soft white sand, aquamarine water, striking mountain views and picture-perfect sunsets lure visitors to this collection of four fashionable beaches.

District Six Museum

This fascinating museum retells the story of District Six, a former multicultural community that was evicted during the turbulent apartheid years.

Spier Wine Estate

Enjoy food, wine and art and experience the majesty of birds of prey at one of the oldest wineries in South Africa.

South African National Gallery

South African, African and Western European art are the big stars of this cultural attraction. Study hundreds of years of work by prominent artists.

Cape Town Stadium

Take a guided tour of this modern sports arena and then watch a soccer or rugby match while sitting among an energetic, vuvuzela-playing crowd.

Vrede en Lust Winery

Take a cellar tour to see the barrels, tanks and bottles in this illustrious wine farm that dates back 300 years.

Fish Hoek Beach

Visit this attractive beach on Cape Town’s False Bay to enjoy safe swimming, shark cage diving, whale watching and beautiful mountain scenery.

Robben Island

Visit the cell where Nelson Mandela spent most of his sentence and explore the Table Bay island that has also served as a leper colony and a military base.