Hout Bay

Welcome to the Hout Bay information page - in addition to region guides like this post we also list a wide selection of hotels, B&B's, guesthouses and self-catering establishments. View our Cape Town page if you're looking for more Cape Town accommodation. Hout Bay, named from the Afrikaans “Houtbaai” meaning Wooded Bay, is nestled in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, only 20km south of the Central Business District of Cape Town. Hout Bay is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the Southern Atlantic Ocean on the other. It was established by Dutch Colonists because of its abundance of timber for ship building.

Over the years, the two farms that used to own the whole valley were subdivided into residential plots. Today, Hout Bay is considered a microcosm of the rest of South Africa with a vibrant and diverse mix of people. The 40,000 residents here range from poverty stricken to lavishly wealth, with properties that reflect this, yet all are happily integrated into this scenic valley.

The Hout Bay Harbour is home to the Hout Bay Yacht Club and several restaurants. It is one of the busiest harbours in the Western Cape, with an established tuna, snoek and crayfish industry. The white sandy Hout Bay Beach is also popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

To the surfing community, Hout Bay is known as "Dangerous" because of its big waves, with swells up to 47 feet (14m). In fact, this one of only sixteen recognized big wave spots around the globe. The annual Red Bull Wave Africa competition is held here, at the surfing spot named Dungeons.

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