4 Best Sights in Hout Bay, South Africa

The residential neighborhood of Llandudno is known for its far-flung, virtually off-the-map location and for its large number of expensive, sea-facing houses; people commute from here to Cape Town. It's also pretty much just around the corner from Hout Bay, so it's a good place to come if you're based there but want a proper beach experience that includes swimming and a bit of a vibe. There are lifeguards, which is good because the current can take you by surprise; the beach also sees many surfers. Parking can be a pain as there's precious little of it, so arrive early––and take supplies for a picnic on the beach, as there's nothing for sale. There's a rocky headland known as Sunset Rocks which is, obviously, just gorgeous for watching the sun sink at the end of the day (as late as 9 pm in summer). Even if you see locals jumping off the boulders into the sea, avoid copying them––folks have died hitting their heads on rocks under the water. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Considered one of the world’s best marine drives, this 9-km (5½-mile) stretch of road (take note that this is a toll road) winding between Hout Bay and Noordhoek is carved from the rock along a treacherous cliff-edge coastline. Its 114 bends and curves skirt the 593-meter-high (1,945-foot-high) southerly extension of Constantiaberg, affording exhilarating views and making it a sought-after location for international car commercials. Begun in 1910 and built during the First World War, it took a crew of 700 convicts to chip and blast the road out of the rock. It officially opened in 1922 with views rivaling those of California's Pacific Route 1. About one-third of the road passes below exhilaratingly steep cliffs with loose rocks and dodgy-looking boulders as much as 280 meters (919 feet) overhead.

You can access the drive from either Hout Bay or Noordhoek, with the tollgate installed nearest the Hout Bay end. Take it slow and try to take it all in as you carefully navigate those curves. There are places to pull over and stare out to sea or to park while you hike up the fynbos-covered mountains. Beware of any wind when you stand on the edge and note that rockslides and unstable cliff faces mean this entire drive can occasionally be closed for maintenance, or during severe weather and wind events. Another thing to watch out for is the hordes of cyclists who traverse the route and seldom adhere to the single-file rule.

Cradled in a lovely bay of the same name and guarded by a 1,000-foot peak known as the Sentinel, Hout Bay is the center of Cape Town's crayfishing industry (legal and otherwise) and operates several fish-processing plants. It also has knockout views of the mountains, gentle surf, and easy access to the restaurants and bars of Mariner's Wharf. The fact that this is a working harbor combined with the flow of raw sewage into the sea, means this is, unfortunately, a polluted beach, however beautiful it looks. While walks are fine, you're advised not to swim here. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: solitude; walking.

This sanctuary has more than 400 species of indigenous and exotic birds, including eagles, vultures, penguins, and flamingos. With neither bars nor nets separating you from most of the birds, you can get some pretty good photographs; however, the big raptors are (wisely) kept behind fences. The "monkey jungle" has around three-dozen highly inquisitive (and very agile and fast) squirrel monkeys that roam freely, often alighting on your shoulders or back (sometimes stealing your loose belongings). There's also a reptile section and some small mammals (like meerkats and raccoons)––as with its birds, many of the animals are rescues, and there's an animal hospital, orphanage, and facilities for breeding threatened species. There's also a small jungle gym for children.