Hout Bay - Cape Peninsula South Africa

Hout Bay is one of the most beautiful and popular places on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. The local residents still fondly refer to Hout Bay as a "village" which by todays standard is no more. Hout Bay not only offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, but the area is steeped in history and there are a host of possible activities from bird watching to fine dining. Dwarfed by mountains on all sides, it is one of only a few areas in South Africa which is surrounded by national parks.

Hout Bay offers a huge number of walks both leisurely and strenuous; through milkwood forests, along unspoilt beaches, over the dunes and up the mountainside. You can visit the old manganese mines, a deserted radar station, waterfalls or perhaps go in search of the rare Drip Disa (D. longicornu) which is found only in this area. The Hout Bay museum organises regular Sunday walks with knowledgable guides, and tour operators in the area offer specialised walks focusing on birds and nature. World-renowned attractions include the World of Birds, which houses hundreds of different species from penguin to flamingo, owl to eagle; and Mariner's Wharf, with its fish market, maritime antique store and shell shop where you can buy pearls still in the oyster. A world famous landmark is Ivan Mitford Barberton's famous leopard keeps a constant watch over the Sentinel. A quaint working harbour incorporates a well-equipped marina and is home to "the Republic of Hout Bay's" own warship, the SAS Pretoria, an old minesweeper which is now a floating museum. There is also a Fisheries Museum in the harbour where visitors will find all kinds of fascinating information. The Hout Bay Museum itself is a mine of information, with its wide range of indoor displays and a picturesque veldkos garden.

Horse lovers will find that the Riding Centre and various stables offer out-rides. There are shops of every description in Hout Bay, from the blatantly 21st century Mainstream, which opened earlier this year, to characteristic arts and crafts-type outlets in Fisherman's World, the original fishing village in the centre of Hout Bay, currently being restored.

Hout Bay's own Rock Shop in the Emporium offers a delightful site for pebble-picking and has two resident goldsmiths, both of whom can be seen in action seven days a week. There are several galleries in the area, and exhibitions are organised from time to time. Anybody wanting to stay in Hout Bay will find a huge number of options. In addition to the historic Hout Bay Manor, there are more than 40 guest houses offering a range of facilities. Restaurants of every description also abound, with menus offering everything from seafood to pizzas, and hamburgers to French country food.

Tourist attractions in Hout Bay

• Yacht harbour

• boat trips to Seal Island

• freshly caught fish directly from the boats

• white sandy beach

• excellent restaurants and fish'n chips outlets

• Hout Bay museum

• World of Birds

• arts and crafts market on Sundays

• hiking trails

• the spectacular Chapman's Peak drive

• lots of good hotels, guest houses and B&Bs.

Accommodation in Hout Bay

• Amakhulu Central Reservations
  Merl offers a very friendly and professional service to book accommodation in South Africa. She specializes in the Western Cape including Hout Bay.
  
• Accommodation in Hout Bay
  This website is the best I have yet come across for accommodation in South Africa. You communicate directly with the accommodation establishment and the entire booking is carried out online.
  

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