Hout Bay

Hout Bay
From top, a view of Hout Bay from Chapman's Peak. Hout Bay beach (left), Lichtenstein Castle (right), Bronze Leopard located in the south access to Hout Bay (left), East Fort Battery, Hout Bay (right).
Hout Bay 2014 06.jpg
Hout Bay
Hout Bay
Hout Bay
Coordinates: 34°2′S 18°21′E / 34.033°S 18.350°E / -34.033; 18.350
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
MunicipalityCity of Cape Town
Government
 • TypeWard 74
 • CouncillorRoberto Quintas (DA)
Area
 • Total
28.38 km2 (10.96 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
33,440
 • Density1,178/km2 (3,052/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African46.2%
 • White30.8%
 • Coloured19.0%
 • Indian/Asian0.5%
 • Other3.5%
First languages (2011)
 • English36.6%
 • Xhosa28.3%
 • Afrikaans19.6%
 • Zulu1.8%
 • Other13.6%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
7806
PO box
7872
Area code021

Hout Bay (Afrikaans: Houtbaai, meaning "Wood Bay") is a seaside and harbour town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is situated in a valley of the Cape Peninsula, and is part of the City of Cape Town metro area. The name "Hout Bay" can refer to the town, the bay on which it is situated, or the entire valley.

The area was originally made up of two farms, which were slowly subdivided to make way for urban expansion. While still maintaining its rural atmosphere, the area of Hout Bay has more than 5,960 residences inhabited by a population of at least 17,900 people (as of 2011).