HOUTBAY AND THE CAPE PENINSULAThe beautiful town of Hout Bay is situated between ocean and dramatic mountains. Hout Bay has rural charm in a modern environment. Go shopping, paddle skiing, surfing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, fishing and diving. Eat in one of many quality restaurants, browse through the waterfront, relax on a beach, climb a mountain, stroll through the Sunday flea market, have a full body massage, unwind on a golf course, visit the wine route or just put your feet up and enjoy a well deserved holiday.
Hout is the Afrikaans word for wood, and Hout Bay was so named when early Dutch settlers discovered this beautiful heavily wooded valley. Not long after this, the natural abundance of marine life led to the development of a thriving fishing industry, which still produces much of the seafood you will find in restaurants in Cape Town and beyond. The beautiful town of Hout Bay is situated between ocean and dramatic mountains. Hout Bay has rural charm in a modern environment.
 Go shopping, paddle skiing, surfing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, fishing and diving. Eat in one of many quality restaurants, browse through the waterfront, relax on a beach, climb a mountain, stroll through the Sunday flea market, have a full body massage, unwind on a golf course, visit the wine route or just put your feet up and enjoy a well deserved holiday.
The beach is long and sandy and safe for swimming and a variety of water sports. The beach offers awesome views of Chapman’s Peak Drive- one of the most scenic marine cliff drives in the world.
KOMMETJIE & SCARBOUROUGH
Continuing along Kommetjie road, you will notice camels at Imhoff Farm- you can ride them, or just stop for tea, country produce and a variety of crafts. Kids can enjoy the farmyard and snake park or a ride on Greedy Guts the donkey. When you reach Kommetjie, known for being one of the surfing hotspots and a great bird watching area, make sure you do not leave without visiting South Africa's tallest cast iron lighthouse – the Slangkoppunt Lighthouse. Take a tour and climb to the top to see sweeping views of Cape Point Nature Reserve and Hout Bay. If you find yourself getting an appetite, we suggest you continue along the coastal road to Cobbs restaurant (021 780 1480) in Scarborough for seafood with a view of the Atlantic.
CAPE POINT
From Scarborough it is a short drive to Cape Point nature reserve where you can meet South Africa's largest birds at the Cape Point Ostrich Farm . Then head on to Cape Point - the tip of the Cape Peninsula where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. Here you can experience the grandeur of one of the highest sea cliffs and the freshest air in the world! Cape Point has good seafood & if you visit we suggest you make your return route via the Indian Ocean coastal towns of Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.
BOULDERS
A spectacular drive past Smitswinkel Bay and Miller's Point - with plenty of whale watching view sites - leads you to the famous Boulders Penguin Colony. The main entrance is at Seaforth Beach, with a boardwalk leading though the nesting area. But if you want to actually get your feet in the sand and swim with the penguins, head for Boulders Beach. The restaurant and curio shop here is well worth a visit and be sure to check your car before you leave - the penguins wander.
TOKAI AND THE CONSTANTIA WINELANDS
From Muizenberg, take the Main road (M4) though Lakeside and travel till you get to Steenberg Rd (R42) where we suggest you turn left towards the mountain. Stay on the R42 as it wanders past Steenberg golf course, Pollsmoor Prison (where Mandela was held after Robben Island), the pine forests of Tokai and the magnificent wine estates of Constantia. There are several restaurants worth visiting:
Steenberg (021 713 2222) The oldest farm in Constantia with upmarket restaurant, country hotel & golf estate
Buitenverwachting (021 794 5190) A beautiful laid back estate famous for its picnics on the lawn beneath the oak trees as well as its world class restaurants overlooking the vineyards and mountains
Constantia Uitsig (021 794 6500) has a view extending from the mountains, across the vineyards to the sea far beyond. Uitsig has 3 restaurants serving inventive fare. The River Café (021 794 3010) is a favourite for brunches and lunches & there is also an exclusive country style hotel on the premises.
The R42 eventually curves around to Ladies Mile Drive, where you can follow signboards to Constantia Village shopping centre for supplies.
CONSTANTIA TO HOUT BAY
Hout Bay is close to & well sign boarded from Constantia. Along the way you will notice Groot Constantia Wine Estate and the High Constantia shopping complex next door.
Groot Constantia is the Capes oldest wine estate & has a well-preserved homestead with slave quarters open for viewing. There is also a large cellar with several restaurants and curio shops.
High Constantia is home to a Woolworths Food Store- you can stock up on delectable foods or dine al fresco at Greens restaurant (021 794 7843) under the oaks. If you favour Thai food try Wangthai (021 794 0022) downstairs.
And then continue to Constantia Nek & straight back down into Hout Bay
RESTAURANTS & ATTRACTION IN HOUT BAY
WORLD OF BIRDS
(021 790 2730) The Cape is home to one of the most diverse Plant and animal kingdoms in the world. The World of Birds is the largest bird park in the Southern Hemisphere. Do not miss this opportunity to get right up close to nature.
KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS
An absolute must for nature lovers – world class & set against the dramatic backdrop of Devils’ Peak mountain. There are 2 restaurants we recommend. For breakfasts, brunches & lunches try the Tea Room (021 797 4883). For finer dining try the Silver Tree restaurant (021 762 9585)
Get a map & take time to explore. There are sunset concerts on Sundays-music ranges from Ronan Keating to Cape Jazz to Classical quartets.
OTHER RESTAURANTS & ATTRACTIONS
Many regard Cape Town as a world-class gourmet centre. There are far too many restaurants for us to make specific recommendations. What you can do is get hold of an up to date Time Out visitors guide to Cape Town as this will give you a comprehensive idea of what to expect. We also have a magazine called Style that has listings of new places and current events. Both are available at most newsagents.
We do recommend that you visit the following areas
- Camps Bay – if the south-easter is not blowing Camps Bay is glorious- very trendy but worth a visit-day & night
- Cape Quarter in Green Point - in the heart of the gay village, this area comes alive at night
- Long Street – the pulse of Africa in all its diversity day or night in the city centre – tons to explore
- The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – shop shop shop
- Cavendish Square – in Claremont (southern suburbs) – intimate and boutique shopping
FOR THE ACTIVE
Hout Bay and surrounds have walks, runs, mountain biking routes, hikes, golf courses, horse riding and various boating experiences. We have tried to provide as many details as possible in the brochures we make available, but should you require further information please contact
- CAPE TOWN TOURISM 021 426 4260
- HOUT BAY TOURISM 021 790 1264
- VIRGIN ACTIVE GYM 021 794 5010
- WALKS 021 790 3270
- HORSE RIDING 021 790 5286
If you want an hour’s stroll, we suggest you drive to and park at Constantia Nek forest (opposite the traffic circle/roundabout) as you head out of Hout Bay towards Constantia.
You will see a small road that ascends between a row of houses and the forest. This becomes a dirt road that does various loops enabling you to do circular walks of varying lengths. The path is safe and there are many people that you can ask directions from should you need to do so. We do suggest that you walk during daytime and in a group, as we do for all hikes & walks in Cape Town. The walk is sheltered from the wind & dogs are allowed.
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