Hout Bay is the centre of the crayfish and snoek fishing industry, and its fishing harbour gives the little coastal town a lively atmosphere. But today, its main economic contributor is tourism. After all, the attractions of this beautifully situated place are numerous. Other than hiking, sailing, surfing, kayaking, fishing, cycling, having a picnic or suntanning at the beach, there is not much one can't do in Hout Bay.

HOUT BAY ATTRACTIONS

It is, by far the cheapest and freshest fish bought directly from one of the fishing boats that usually come into the harbour in the afternoons.

A little museum displays the history of the fisheries on these shores. The Kraal Craft sells African arts & crafts and authentic cult objects. It is worth seeing. The prices are high, but lower than those of the Waterfront. In the same building, at the iKhaya, you get refreshments, snacks, coffee and cake.

There are boat trips to Seal Island, a tiny island behind the Sentinel, which is densely populated by some 6000 seals. Bookings unnecessary because the boats of the 3 operators leave every half an hour. When the wind is blowing strongly, one would prefer the catamaran Nauticat.

In the harbour one can also charter boats for deep sea fishing. A lasting experience is an exclusive cruise on the Tigger Too. It goes from Hout Bay to Kommetjie, where the party catches crayfish and has it skilfully prepared afterwards. Four hours lasts this adventurous and culinary experience. For enquiries and bookings contact Philippe and Michelle. Tel 021-7905256.

Hiking, walking
Hout Bay offers some good hiking and walking trails. e.g. the Chapman's Peak Walk. It takes you about two hours to the peak, from where the view of the Peninsula, of the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean is fantastic. Less strenuous is the serpentine path to the Blackburn Ravine, bumpy, but not steep. You get there from the little parking bay at the East Fort. The East Fort was erected at the beginning of the British presence at he Cape in 1795 and still stands as a ruin on a grass patch in the Fynbos - inviting for a picnic.

World of Birds
A big attraction in Hout Bay is the World of Birds. According to its brochure, it is the biggest bird park in Africa with more than 400 different bird species, amongst them numerous birds of prey and owls. The environment is tropical vegetation. They also have reptiles and many mammals. A favourite is the big walk-in cage of the squirrel monkeys. They are friendly, tame and love jumping all over the visitors in the cage. Tel 021-7902730.

Hout Bay Museum
You can become aquainted with Hout Bay's history in the little Hout Bay Museum at the bottom of Andrews Road, which documents the period of time from the Khoi San Strandlopers to the present.