Hout Bay – Holiday in Cape Town’s secret republic

The “Republic of Hout Bay” is a lovely contained suburb, set between Camps Bay and Chapman’s Peak Drive on the Atlantic Seaboard.

If you are looking for a fabulous, interesting and varied holiday, look no further than the variety of self-catering options available to you in this Cape Town suburb that is known to be “law on its own”.

With its different value propositions, Hout Bay really is suited to a variety of visitors. Whether you’re looking for a beach or harbour experience, or are interested in pursuing outdoor activities such as surfing, sailing and fishing, Hout Bay offers them all.

Don’t forget family fun, shopping, sightseeing, hiking and a number of attractions, all made especially for visitors to the “Republic of Hout Bay”.

Variety is the spice of life and you will find something that is just perfect for you among the large range of luxury self-catering holiday accommodation options in Hout Bay.

Opt for a luxury self-catering holiday apartment if you’re planning to spend most of your time outdoors pursuing activities such as hiking, biking, surfing, fishing, boating and plenty more.

Luxury self-catering holiday villas are available in Hout Bay for families who want to stretch out and relax in a comfortable home where they have all the conveniences of an upmarket lifestyle.

Dungeons Beach is accessible only by a 15-minute boat ride from Hout Bay Harbour and is South Africa’s most extreme surf beach, serving as the venue of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa contest that takes place annually in winter.

The beach is a collection of shallow open reefs and high-impact zones with enormous waves, making it only suited to professional surfers.

A short and scenic boat ride takes you from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island, where you can plunge into the sea to get acquainted with more than 4 000 Cape Fur Seals.

To book this exciting activity, click here. 

Fishing charters regularly depart from Hout Bay Harbour and chances are good that, between September and June, you will pull out a large Yellowfin Tuna, which can weigh as much as 80kg. Don’t dismiss the thrill of catching Cape Yellowtail and the only fish available in Winter, Cape Snoek.

World of Birds in Hout Bay is the largest bird park in Africa and offers visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with more than 3 000 birds and small animals belonging to 400 different species, uniquely presented en route a landscaped walk through aviaries.

To book tickets to World of Birds, click here.

Kids simply love to paint and play at the Clay Café, where you get to paint your own pottery choosing from a range of unpainted mugs, bowls plates and sculptures. It is glazed and fired and then the Clay Café contacts you to collect your unique piece.

The Bay Harbour Market is a weekend market known for its vibrancy, spirit, diversity and culture. Situated on the water’s edge in an old fish factory in the old authentic part of the harbour, this friendly market offers a distinctly South African social, shopping and eating experience at its more than 100 stalls.

In addition, it supports the Hangberg Social Upliftment Project, providing opportunities for the local community to develop business skills for sustainable business.

On Sundays, don’t miss the Hout Bay Craft Market on the Hout Bay Common. It is one of the finest markets in the Cape and offers a wide range of African art and curios including pottery and wire crafts, ethnic clothes and food.

As is the case in the rest of Cape Town, Hout Bay is at its best in Spring, Summer and Autumn when visitors can make the most of mild to hot and sunny weather. Winter with its rain and sometimes stormy weather has its own appeal when snuggling in front of roaring fires with a glass of good locally made red wine.

Enjoy an outdoor fix for yourself and your family in the “Republic of Hout Bay” and book your Hout Bay accommodation well in advance to avoid the school holiday rush. You will have a fantastic time in Hout Bay and get to know this beautiful harbour town intimately while here on holiday.

Ready to start planning your trip? 

Find the answers to your travel-related questions in our handy, one-stop Cape Town holiday planning hub – complete with info-packed guides and resources that will make planning your visit a breeze