Hout Bay was formerly a fishing village and has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbour and village atmosphere, despite numerous developments. The Bay is framed by three mountains namely Chapman's peak, the Sentinel and the Karbonkel mountain, which lends itself to beautiful sunsets over the Sentinel and Chapman's Peak.

Locals call it "The Republic of Hout Bay" due to the fact that Hout Bay has limited road access, either over Constantia Nek, which gives you access via the M63 to the Southern Suburbs, like Newlands, Claremont and the Cape Town International airport, or the M41 which leads to Constantia and the Constantia wine lands, onto the M3 to False Bay (Simons Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, St. James and Muizenberg).

The famous Chapman's Peak drive, a toll road, takes you on the most breathtaking scenic route to Noordhoek, Cape of Good Hope and False Bay.

Victoria Avenue takes you via Suikerbossie Hill, past Llandudno and the 12 Apostles to Camps Bay, or via the M62 to Table Mountain Cableway and Cape Town CBD.