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Activities in Hout Bay

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Hout Bay is a protected and calm bay offering a safe swimming beach and water sport opportunities from surfing to kite boarding and boating.

Hout Bay started off as a small fishing village, but has now grown to a population of some 17,000 (and many more thousands in tourist seasons). As you would expect for such a popular location there are an abundance of activities in Hout Bay to keep you busy.

Despite the activities in Hout Bay being mirrored by its modern European vibe, this has not been at the expense of maintaining its unique combination of fishing harbour and country atmosphere and a perfect balance has been achieved. You can expect to enjoy a wide variety of activities in Hout Bay.

Below we introduce you to just a few of the activities in Hout Bay:

Outdoor Activities in Hout Bay

The most obvious, and extremely popular of activities in Hout Bay are of course supplied by nature. Scenic Hout Bay is surrounded by mountains on one side and sea on the other. It’s got a protected child-friendly swimming beach framed by Chapmans Peak on the one side and Sentinel on the other, with very little swell or currents.

Hiking and walking activities in Hout Bay

For a those seeking activities in Hout Bay that also keep you fit try:

  • A wonderful walk is Hout Bay to Sandy Bay. Enjoy amazing, panoramic views as you travel from one scenic bay to another.
  • The contour path hike runs from East Fort, just outside Hout Bay, to Chapmans Peak itself and offers some of the best views in Cape Town and one of the nicest walks on the Table Mountain Chain.
  • Constantia Nek Dams – on a clear day the scenic views are spectacular and great for photographs. When you reach the Woodhead and Hely Hutchinson Dams consider a picnic lunch or just relax and take in this peaceful, tranquil setting.
  • Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch Gardens – One of the best views on this walk is the aerial view of Kirstenbosch with the towering slopes of Table Mountain to the left. Treat yourself to brunch or lunch at Kirstenbosch gardens and take in the amazing scenery.

Swimming and beach activities in Hout Bay

The beautiful beach of Hout Bay is one of the more favoured spots for activities in Hout Bay. This sandy, powdery, white  beach stretches almost a kilometre in length and varies between 200 and 400 meters in width. Ample room for the often seen games of beach volleyball,  cricket,  jogging and horse riding.

Hout Bay is a protected and calm bay offering a safe swimming beach and water sport opportunities from surfing to kite boarding and boating.

Of course, for those sun lovers who just want to chill out – you get to marvel at the sheer beauty of the surrounding mountains, white sandy beach and indigo water.

So for activities in Hout Bay be sure to ‘check out’ the beach there is always something going on.

Other Activities in Hout Bay

  • One of the most popular activities in Hout Bay,  is a visit to the picturesque working harbour. It attracts people from all walks of life. No matter if you visit the harbour to shop for fresh fish or seafood or to enjoy a sundowner on the deck of one of the harbour’s restaurants the happy, salty atmosphere is contagious. Bring your kids. They generally enjoy the feeding of the tame, opulent Cape Fur Seals.

Activities in Hout Bay

Colourful Hout Bay


 

  • Hout Bay Museum – The Hout Bay museum exhibits the early strandlopers (hunter-gatherers), who lived in the Cape when the first Europeans arrived. Here you also find memorabilia relating to the early fishing industry.
  • The South African seafisheries museum – The South African seafisheries museum in Hout Bay documents the history of Hout Bay harbour, different fishing methods and interesting items found in the sea.
  • The Hout Bay Craft Market – The Hout Bay craft market is great for a treasure hunt. Its a nice place to find locally produced (often by imizamo yethu) curios and woodcarvings from African countries further north.
  • A must not miss, on the list of activities in Hout Bay,  is a visit to the Bay Harbour Market – excellent food, curios and an atmosphere that is truly unique with live music, specialty beers and food – be prepared to become a regular!
  • The World of Birds – The world of birds has more than 3000 birds housed in its large aviaries. The owner supports breeding programs with endangered species.
  • Hout Bay’s seal island – another ‘must do’ on your  activities in Hout Bay list  – a seal colony that can be visited by glass bottom boat. Tours are leaving several times a day from the harbour.
  • Mariner’s Wharf for some excellent seafood , curio shops and a nautical antique shop.
  • Adventure-lover and exhilarating thrill-seeker activities – kayaking, mountain-biking, surfing, fishing charters and jet-skiing.
  • Of course after experiencing all the activities in Hout Bay there are lots of restaurants, shops and pubs for local seafood, great food and relaxing.
  • Even the die hard surfers can find ample activities in Hout Bay. On big days in winter Hout Bay is one of the popular and internationally recognized big wave surf spots. Waves in access of 30 ft break below Sentinel at a spot called Dungeons. Take a picnic, bring binoculars and watch.

Tame seals at Hout Bay harbour



Chapman’s Peak Drive is a very popular location for photographers, and film makers. No doubt you will have seen a few of the adverts and when you visit in person you will be in no doubt as to why it is so popular. An amazing drive and picnic stop over and don’t miss the sun downers as you stand in awe of the mountain backdrop, the meandering road and deep blue Atlantic ocean. ‘Chappies’ is not only one of the most popular activities in Hout Bay but one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Known to only a few but nestled high up on the slopes in Hout Bay, is an independent family owned winery, Hout Bay Vineyards. A  fantastic place to visit for a very personal, intimate wine tasting

  •  The Clay cafe offers you the chance to create your own piece of art pottery. Paint, sculpt and decorate to create your own signature piece! The best bit is the kids love it!

If you want to venture a little further, another attraction of  Hout bay is its easily accessible location from Cape Town and the Southern Suburbs. A short drive, always a scenic one, and you will discover a host of other amenities and things to do.

Summary

You may never have used a property buyers consultant before and maybe for the first time you have a choice in how you search and secure your property for sale in Hout Bay. At SAHomeBuyers we take into account all of the requirements that are important to you – schooling, activities in Hout Bay, shopping, restaurants and security.

So give us a call or send us an email. Your consultation is free of charge and carries no obligation. We are confident that when you hear more about how we work and benefit you, you’ll never buy a property without a buyers consultant again.

To discuss your requirements for Properties for sale in Hout Bay and learn more about the activities in Hout Bay emailing us here or phoning our area buyers consultant Marco Garuti on + 27 (0) 83 265 8800.

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Shopping in Hout Bay

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The shopping in Hout Bay comes as a pleasant surprise to most visitors and those thinking of buying a property there.

Shopping in Hout Bay – the Mainstream Mall

This magnificent modern mall with dozens of excellent shops is an ideal venue for urban sophisticates wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of crowded corridors. Mainstream Mall in Hout Bay is a mix of trendy outlets in a unique complimented by the nearby Fisherman’s World cottages and craft workshops.

Mainstream Mall provides shopping in Hout Bay that is unique because of its village environment. Mainstream Mall has a vast and varied selection of retail outlets including health and beauty outlets, clothing and shoe shops, restaurants and cafes, banking as well as national stores such as Woolworths (with enlarged food and deli market, plus clothing and homeware), CNA and Clicks.

Handicapped friendly facilities and baby changing facilities provided for shoppers, with plenty of parking – most of it undercover. 24 hour security and CCTV cameras offer a secure environment for your shopping convenience.

The centre is located just on the way towards Chapman’s Peak Drive and close to the beach. The shopping in Hout Bay, Mainstream Mall includes,  Health and beauty, Clothes and accessories, Leisure, Home & décor, Food & restaurants, Banking, Services and Estate agents.

The trading hours are:
Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm
Saturday 9am – 4pm
Sundays + Public Holidays

Shopping in Hout Bay – the Markets

  • The  Sunday Hout Bay craft market brings a  ‘villagy’ vibe to shopping in Hout Bay, with a wide variety of African curios, pottery, wire crafts, Ostrich eggs wooden sculptures and even pony rides.
  • A must for Hout Bay residents, tourists and locals from far and wide – experience a truly different vibe for shopping in Hout Bay.The Bay Harbour Market offers shopping in Hout Bay that is a celebration of the diversity, creativity and culture that make South Africa such a unique country. It provides a uniquely-social shopping and an eating experience with an atmosphere that is friendly, vibrant and entertaining…. and, above all, distinctly South African! What is also nice about this shopping in Hout Bay, is that it also serves as a platform for community-building and upliftment by providing opportunities for the development of creative and business skills towards the creation of sustainable business.

Shopping in Hout Bay – Fresh Fish

Fisherman’s Wharf Fishmarket
Take a walk around the Fisherman’s Market at Mariner’s Wharf, where you have the opportunity to buy fresh Prawns, Mussels, Oysters and Seafood. Try some delicious Smoked Snoek from The Fresh Oak Smoked Snoek Shop. Or even make your buy straight off the fishing boats for freshness guaranteed – if you are shopping in Hout Bay, buying some fish is a must.

Hout Bay property wood sale

Braai wood sale

 

Known as a Riviera town and nestled between 2 mountains and the sea, if you choose Hout Bay as your home you will enjoy enviable views, great schools, superb restaurants and lots of activities. The shopping facilities in Hout Bay mean you don’t have to travel far and for those that already live there –  they are reluctant to leave their idyllic home.

In the unlikely event that the shopping in Hout Bay proves inadequate, never fear, for a short 20 minute drive over Constantia Nek is the superb Constantia Shopping Village. In the other direction the coastal road to Cape Town provides access to the V & A Waterfront and all of Cape Towns many amenities.

Summary

As part of our thorough process in understanding your needs, our buyers consultant will include information on the shopping in Hout bay.

Contact us for more information by e-mail or telephoning our area buyers consultant

Marco Garuti on + 27 (0) 83 2658800

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Hout Bay – Restaurants and coffee shops

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Not short of stunning scenery Hout Bay also offers a variety of very unique restaurants and coffee shops.

Dunes restaurant and Suikerbossi are both known for their child-friendly setup. Dunes is right on Beachroad, features a playground and serves scrumptious food including a good selection of seafood from the ocean across the road.

Coming from Llundudno, Suikerbossi is up on the hill at the start of a popular hiking trail along the 12 Apostels featuring dramatic views. This is also a popular wedding venue.

Hout Bay Lookout Deck - CapeTownians love this place for sundowners

 

Pakalolos is popular with a young surfy crowd. Despite the lack of view, expect to find a loungy atmosphere, surf videos and food inspired by overseas surf travel.

Marc’s grill is a humble little restaurant that’s famous for its steaks. Steaks are matured and grilled by the owner in an open kitchen.

On the last bend before Chapmans Peak, you will find Hout Bay hotel. Its a popular venue for sundowners and calamari dishes on the deck.

At the The Lookout Deck you dig into fresh scrumptious seafood dishes while watching the local fishermen unload their catch in the harbour.

Nautical hospitality in Hout Bay

 

Katima serves upmarket Thai cuisine in the oldest remaining building in Hout Bay. It also features a sparkly cocktail bar and a relaxing courtyard perfect for warm summer evenings.

The Warf, Hout Bay’s harbour area, is jampacked with restaurants mainly attracting tourists.

 

 

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Hout Bay Schools

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As SAHomeBuyers we realise  that funding the perfect property is only part of the decision making process when purchasing a new home. What about the amenities, location, shopping, restaurants, security and of course the Hout Bay Schools.

For our clients with family, part of this decision making process will of course include what Hout Bay Schools are suitable for their children.

Hout Bay Schools offer a number of different options for all ages.

Hout Bay Schools

One of the attractions of Living in Hout Bay is the quality of Hout Bay Schools and easy access to many others.

Hout Bay International school – “to provide excellence in education provision within an international perspective”

When considering appropriate  Hout Bay Schools , many expats settle on the Hout Bay International school. It enrolls children from the age of  3 year. Their motto – “to provide excellence in education provision within an international perspective” sums up what this popular school is all about. It is due to its standards and reputation that the International School is one the of the Hout Bay Schools of choice.

Cape Town is the perfect place to grow

 

 

One of the stand out features, of the  International, amongst Hout Bay Schools is that it offers an international curriculum based a combination of the South African National Curriculum and the British National Curriculum which is delivered through the innovative pedagogy of the International Baccalaureate (IB). The Cambridge International Examinations and IB Diploma provide externally assessed qualifications recognised throughout the world.

Kronendal primary school – It takes a village to raise a child is is this Hout Bay Schools motto.

Another favorite amongst the Hout Bay schools is the Kronendal primary Bay Schools is the Kronendal primary school which was established in 1901. The community school Kronendal truly understands the old Xhosa saying: It takes a village to raise a child. Making sure parents are very involved in the school, Kronendal in Hout Bay can offer great infrastructure with affordable school fees. “A Kronendal student learns to understand and appreciate different cultures, uniquely preparing them for the real world. We believe in helping each student to identify and enhance their gifts. Kronendal has become respected as a feeder school for many of Cape Town’s top high schools. Many of our students have gone on to excel thanks to the grounding they received at Kronendal Primary.”

Ambleside Hout Bay School

Another Hout Bay School with a proud reputation is the Ambleside Hout Bay School. Its teaching methods are based on the insights of the British educator, Charlotte Mason.  She did not claim to be an innovator, but rather a compiler of the timeless, practical insights into the nature of children and education, which have guided the practice of great teachers throughout the ages.

Other Hout Bay Schools

Bayside Christian High
Hout Bay Christian School
Llandudno Primary (5 minutes away)
Moravian School
Sentinel Primary
School for the Deaf

There are in addition a number of nursery schools, creches and playgroup

Schools close by in the southern suburbs, including Bishops, SACs and Redham are just a mere 20min scenic drive away from Hout Bay.

Summary

As part of our thorough process in understanding your needs, our buyers consultant will include information on Hout Bay Schools, as part of your viewing we will introduce you to Hout Bay Schools.

Contact us for more information by e-mail or telephoning our area buyers consultant

Marco Garuti on + 27 (0) 83 2658800

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