Mariner's Wharf

Overview

Cape Peninsula's Fishing Village

On the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour you’ll stop at Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay, a charismatic fishing village with its harbour sprawling with small authentic working fishing vessels that supply Cape Town with the fresh catch of the day no matter what the Cape Town weather is like.

› See the developments of Hout Bay harbour which began over 20 years ago
› See Stanley Dorman’s vision and enjoy his efforts
› Take pleasure in the view of the harbour, the mountains and the sea

Today Hout Bay has taken its rightful place as a premier tourist destination, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors a day in season. In no small way, this has been due to the vision and efforts of Stanley Dorman, a fourth generation local of Hout Bay. Virtually single-handedly, after a decade of travel and research to ports of call around the world, he designed and built Mariner's Wharf, Africa's first harbourfront emporium, which opened in 1984.

Thanks to his initiative, Hout Bay's fascinating history with the sea has therefore been preserved for posterity and with thousands of maritime artifacts worked into its décor, it is a remarkable showcase of the area and a captivating Cape Town attraction.

One cannot miss the breathtaking views from Mariner's Wharf across the beach, along notable Chapman's Peak Drive, over the water and back across to the encircling mountains. It’s the perfect place to take pictures. It’s the perfect place to take pictures or to follow our Cape Town maps on an adventure around this charming seaside village.

Africa's Harbourfront Emporium

› Take a swim in the Hout Bay beach with the family and enjoy the Cape Town sea
› Enjoy some water sports or if you’d rather prefer, a relaxing tan
› Feel the white sand between your toes and the fresh sea breeze in your hair

Popular for walks, sunbathing and watersports, the beach is flanked by Mariner's Wharf at its western edge and Chapman's Peak to its east. Renowned for fine white sand, safe bathing, and the Disa River expending itself into a tidal lagoon midway across its expanse, visitors will find the beach conveniently accessible.

And should the need for some delicious seafood arise, simply pop into a seafood bistro, a maritime themed restaurant, or the fish markets for some fresh fish and live crayfish (lobster).

Mariner's Wharf Cuisine & Cruises

› Enjoy a tasty seafood meal – a must for every visitor of Mariner’s Wharf
› Take a boat trip around Seal Island and see seals in their natural habitat
› Purchase memorabilia and clothing from the gift shops

Do not miss the incredible Fish Market, the Restaurants, and the myriad of Shops making-up the largest collection of marine artifacts, souvenirs and antiques under one roof anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Wharfside Grill Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seating 350 people. Or pop into The Fisherman's Wharf Market built around a 1940's wooden trawler and sells local and imported fresh fish and seafood.

The Shipwreck Shop retails maritime memorabilia; Mariner's Chest sells clothing, curios and shells as sea souvenirs while Pearls in the Oyster pearl factory part with pearl bearing oysters with the option of setting them as jewellery pieces.

Daily cruises from Hout Bay harbour aboard charter boats take you around the dramatic Sentinel Mountain to Seal Island. Take this opportunity to enjoy seeing the seals of Cape Town feeding and breeding in their natural habitat.

› Buy a 1- or 2-Day Ticket and go on the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour, now with a FREE wine tour of Groot Constantia and Eagles' Nest

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