Mountain Rise is a gorgeous self-catering cottage in the Cape Town suburb of Hout Bay. If you are unsure about booking accommodation in this pretty part of Cape Town, just look at all the things to do in the area!
Here follows a list of the top 7 activities that Hout Bay has to offer the visitor.
- Boat trip to Duiker (aka Seal) Island. A trip to Hout Bay wouldn’t be the same without a trip to Seal Island. You can schedule a morning trip with one of the boat charter companies to get up close and personal with the endangered Cape Fur Seals which populate the island. Activity in the waters surrounding the island has also been known to attract great white sharks that sometimes put on an incredible display for visiting tourists, making Seal Island an exciting and worthwhile Hout Bay excursion.
- Fish ‘n chips at the harbour. Head down to one of the fish ‘n chips shops at the harbour, for a helping of fresh fish and good ol’ South African slap chips. Take your meal-in-a- cardboard box over to the harbour wall or beach to view the passing crowd or boats.
- Llandudno Beach. A five minute drive from Hout Bay, this beach is one of Cape Town’s gems. Flanked on either side by granite boulders, and set in the shadow of the mountain, this small beach is protected from Cape Town’s famous wind and offers some top notch surfing.
- Hike the trails around Hout Bay. The Hout Bay area is home to some scenic hiking trails, from the manganese mines on Chapman’s Peak to Orange Kloof and the mouth of the Disa River. There are hikes for all fitness levels, all offering spectacular views of the area. Don’t forget to organise permits for the nature reserves.
- Bay Harbour Market. Housed in an old fish factory, the Bay Harbour Market has become a bit of an institution in the area. Open from Friday night (when they have live music) until Sunday afternoon, the place is filled with art and design stalls as well as food stalls galore, selling everything from gourmet pizza to vegetarian soups and gourmet ice-cream. The place is usually choc-o-bloc and is a great way to soak up the community vibe of Hout Bay and check out some local design talent.
- Sandboard on the dunes. A few small tourist agencies in Hout Bay offer sand boarding lessons and/or rentals. They take care of everything from the permits to lunch and promise an action and adrenaline filled adventure.
- Cocktails at the Chapman’s Peak Hotel. This exclusive little hotel is set at the bottom of Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most scenic routes in the Cape. Its cigar lounge and bar offers arresting views over the bay and a cosy fire in winter. The cocktails are delicious too making a visit here well worth it after an action-packed day.
