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Hout Bay

3,011 Reviews

#19 of 182 things to do in Cape Town Central

Nature & Parks, Bodies of Water

Cape Town Central 7872, South Africa

Book In Advance

Seal Snorkeling

4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours

From USD 83.49*

Cape Point Day Tour including Boulders Penguin Colony from Cape Town

Day Trips

From USD 247.79*

Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast

Helicopter Tours

From USD 148.42*

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Certificate of Excellence

Traveller Overview

4.5 3,011 reviews

Excellent51%
Very good37%
Average10%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travellers talk about

“seal island”(240 reviews)

“fish and chips”(162 reviews)

“mariner's wharf”(39 reviews)

About

Enclosed by ocean, mountains and wine farms, the former fishing village offers a country affair with some adventure thrown in.

Suggested duration: 1-2 hours

As featured in Cape Town for Beginners

Contact

Cape Town Central 7872, South Africa

Website

+27 21 790 7278

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Ways to Experience Hout Bay

Seal Snorkeling

1 Review

from USD 83.49

More Info

Cape Point Day Tour including Boulders...

from USD 247.79

More Info

Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast

76 Reviews

from USD 148.42

More Info

Cape Town Day Tours

from USD 111.31

More Info

1 - 10 of 2,120 reviews

Carolyn M

Mission Beach

198

Reviewed yesterday via mobile

Seals Galore

Absolutely love love love Hout Bay. Always a seal on the wharf putting on a performance. It's just a great place to spend time. The trips to Seal island Are fabulous . Just a great ambience in the harbour all round

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Carolyn M

LinLaz

Seal Beach, California

12346

Reviewed 2 days ago

was ok, very little fishing town

didn't really see alot there, but did stick my feet in the bay/ocean. cute little city with a few places to eat. has some seal to see but that was really all we saw

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank LinLaz

386barryb

Manchester, United Kingdom

9228

Reviewed 3 days ago via mobile

Great Vibe

Stumbled across Hout Bay today with a little artesian market, a guy feeding a friendly seal on the quayside and several companies offering just trips out to seal Island...definitely worth ZAR 60. Lunch in the Look Out whilst watching the seals swim past was idyllic.

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank 386barryb

VictoriaC209

London, United Kingdom

9856

Reviewed 4 days ago via mobile

Lovely area

We enjoyed snorkelling with cape fur seals from Hout Bay. Plenty to see and do, a selection of the usual tourist shops selling Africa art. There are plenty of seals to see basking on the dock side as well as one or two super tame...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank VictoriaC209

JonA1966

Caernarfon, United Kingdom

6417

Reviewed 4 days ago via mobile

Fantastic bay

The drive to the bay is outstanding the views are excellent Plenty of parking and many boat trips to seal island And of course you have to have fish & chips but don't expect gravy or peas lol

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank JonA1966

Masterspy

West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

6249

Reviewed 4 days ago

Real fishing village

We happened to be in area and decided to stop for a quick look but stayed a couple of hours. Scenery is magnificent and the old fishing boats provide plenty of photo opportunities. Whist the restaurants are very basic the fish is freshly caught and...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank Masterspy

Experience486648

Reviewed 4 days ago

GOOD SNOEK AND CALAMARI

We had some lovely snoek and chips and calamari and chips at the harbour restaurant at the fast food place. Long lines for the food but they moved quickly

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Experience486648

Daniel v

Cape Town Central, South Africa

304

Reviewed 5 days ago

Mini Cape Town

Beautiful Bay with beautiful beach. Good entertainment with restuarants and bars. Pokolo is always festive and for sea food Mariners Wharf is legendary. The weekly market is great and going through Houtbay to and along Chapmans peak drive is a must see (As per picture)....More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank Daniel v

monicalL5237DP

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Reviewed 5 days ago

Little Fish Town

A little germ to visit when you in Cape Town. Nice fish and chip shops and if you a pearl lover you must visit the little pearl shop

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank monicalL5237DP

Monica N

Reviewed 5 days ago

A great little fish town

We enjoyed the nicest fish and chip at Snoekies the one day and then visit THE PEARL shop. With the nicest pearls a real little germ to visit

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank Monica N

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Questions & Answers

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See all 7 questions

tomcI8046QO

We are leaving South Africa tomorrow to head back to the UK and are thinking of stopping off at Hout Bay for some lunch before heading to the airport. Would we see seals swimming in the bay when we are walking around or would we have to get a boat trip out to see them? Unfortunately we won’t have time for a boat trip. Thanks

4 January 2019|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

Some typos in my answer.. sorry but the gentleman is with his sea lion.. not dead lion..if you look at my pics you will see the houts bay pics and sea lion.. enjoy

tomcI8046QO

4 January 2019|

AnswerShow all 13 answers

Hi, i am so sorry to have not replied. I was travelling and didnt get a notification from trip advisor. I hope you went there to have lunch and fun looking at the seals swimming in the ocean?

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