EXPLORE THE CHARMING SEASIDE VILLAGE OF Hout Bay

One on Beach is located in the heart of Hout Bay, making it possible for our guests to make the most of what this delightful seaside village has to offer.

The picturesque Hout Bay beach is long and secluded, away from the thronging crowds of Cape Town's more populated beach destinations. Hugged by mountains and accentuated by the iconic Sentinel peak, the beach is a calm and scenic location for morning walks, sandcastle building and sunset strolls. 

Safe for swimming and a variety of watersports, such as surfing, sea-kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or dinghy sailing, the Hout Bay sea offers a wide variety of activities for those with a spirit of adventure. Alternatively, spread out a beachtowel, don on a wide-brimmed hat and bask in the golden light of the South African sunshine.

HOUT AND ABOUT

Hout Bay is a bustling and sociable village, with a vibrant community atmosphere and unique energy. One can always find people chatting contentedly over a cup of coffee in one of its many quaint cafés, cycling along its scenic routes or enjoying an evening sundowner at a beachfront restaurant. The spectacular natural splendour of this place is unparalleled and both its residents and visitors enjoy Hout Bay's beauty to the full. 

The main street offers a variety of characterful and interesting shops, whilst the numerous shopping centres have major retailers to cater to all needs. Hout Bay also boasts an excellent indoor market at the Harbour over weekends, featuring gourmet cuisine and a bespoke range of locally designed products - a definite 'must-visit' for any newcomer to Hout Bay's charms.

cocktails on the beach

Take an effortless meander to the Dunes restaurant, less than a minute's walk from One on Beach, whenever you feel like a tasty breakfast, sushi for lunch or refreshing cocktails to wind down after another blissful day. Dunes is a casual and truly authentic 'beach bar', with rustic wooden tables nestled in white sand, uninterrupted views of the bay and a variety of good, hearty cuisine - strongly emphasizing fresh seafood. It's not a holiday until you've had a mojito on the beach!

Bustling harbour

Hout Bay’s busy and fully functioning harbour has a wonderful atmosphere and is a hub of activity, as it is has remained the centre of the local fishing industry for hundreds of years. Enthusiastic fishermen eagerly sell their fresh catch of the day on the wharf, while delicious aromas emerge from the authentic fish and chip restaurants that are positioned a mere stone’s throw from the water’s edge. 

AUTHENTIC South African CULTURE

Hout Bay is a unique microcosm of South African society, as it is home to a staggering spectrum of socio-economic groups. 

We always urge our guests to arrange a tour to visit Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay's culturally diverse informal settlement, so as to offer them an unvarnished insight into the daily lives of the majority of South Africans. Many of South Africa's citizens remain in a state of abject poverty and yet somehow retain a sense of hope and optimism - experiencing Imizamo Yethu is both thought-provoking and inspirational.

A visit to Imizamo Yethy would not be complete without a cappuccino at Qunu Cafe. Situated in the Iziko Lobomi Community Centre in the township of Imizamo Yethu, this little cafe is filled with vibrance, charm and warm smiles.

With its inviting, bright colour scheme, delicious Nespresso coffee, tempting snacks and relaxed ambience, the Qunu Cafe is an unmissable experience.

Qunu Cafe's name was inspired by the humble rural village where a boy was born who would ultimately change South Africa, inspire the world and teach us all to act with greater love, compassion and tolerance towards one another. That little boy was called Rolihlala, and he became the man we know as Nelson Mandela.

A further unique element of the Qunu Cafe is the fact that it is 100% non-profit, as all of the surplus proceeds generated by this colourful coffee shop are  used for the purposes of maintaining and sustaining the Iziko Lobomi Community Centre.

wide variety of eclectic cuisine and close proximity to CONSTANTIA wine region

Hout Bay's dining scene is vibrant and offers an eclectic variety of cuisine, all within close proximity to One on Beach. You could easily dine at a different restaurant each day, should you enjoy culinary adventures!

From Greek and Italian cuisine, to contemporary, Asian-Pacific Rim tapas, local specialities and authentic Thai, your tastebuds have a wealth of options to choose from.

We always encourage our guests to pop in at Hout Bay's renowned, authentic Gelateria, Ice Dream, for an invigorating sorbet or decadent scoop of pistachio - ideal for cooling down after a morning spent at the beach.

The access road that runs to Hout Bay from Camps Bay offers a magnificent drive all along the coast, passing below the towering Twelve Apostle mountains and over the iconic Suikerbossie hill.

A mere fifteen minutes from the leafy vineyards of Constantia, Hout Bay is also in close proximity to excellent wine farms and a number of world-renowned gourmet restaurants in the nearby wine region.

ONE ON BEACH IS PERFECTLY SITUATED FOR THE ACTIVE TRAVELLER - LET NATURE BE YOUR FITNESS CENTRE

Go for a walk, hike or run on the world renowned Chapman's Peak drive, surrounded by unspoiled nature and breathtaking scenery. Popular with local Hout Bay residents, this jogging trail is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful routes in Cape Town, if not the world. One on Beach offers you the opportunity to be as active or laid back as you wish - it is your holiday to enjoy to the fullest.

Alternatively, there is a state of the art fitness centre less than five minutes' walk away from One on Beach, offering a broad range of equipment, group classes and excellent instructors. If you enjoy keeping fit whilst on vacation, you could sign up for short-term access at the gym and take part in yoga, pilates, high intensity interval training or whatever programme best suits you. Keeping fit whilst on holiday has never been more effortless.

Retail therapy

For those who enjoy the relaxing benefits of retail therapy, the Mainstream shopping centre is also within walking distance of One on Beach and offers a range of quality shopping experiences, from bespoke home decor to boutique clothing. 

The Mainstream centre is also home to a large and superbly equipped Woolworths, South Africa's premier food and clothing retailer, making it easy to stock up on high quality ingredients and a variety of holiday necessities. 

There is also a delightful organic grocery store situated at the Centre, selling fresh, local produce for the health-conscious holiday maker. Should you enjoy starting your day with a delicious breakfast and strong cup of coffee, you could do so at the charming Allegria coffee shop where you can enjoy an authentic Italian espresso in a vibrant, sociable cafe.