SHOPS
Shells by the thousand, skipper's caps, beach clothing, hand-made gifts and sea-art curios are on sale here ; plus whacky Republic of Hout Bay passports with a boatload of special offers. Many of the items are themed to Hout Bay's harbourside ambience and exude memories of a wonderful place, nowhere else to be found.
Choose an oyster guaranteed to contain a beautiful pearl inside. Then, if you so wish, watch it set to jewellery of your own choice, from the extensive range on offer.
Its nautical artifacts and antiques, books, paintings, brassware, scrimshaw, scripophilly and shipwreck memorabilia are a collector's dream, and an inspirational source for designers bedecking bars and boardrooms. With over 20 000 different items in stock, it is the largest shop of its kind, certainly in Southern Africa.

FISHERMAN'S WHARF MARKET AT MARINER'S WHARF
Built around the hull of the Kingfisher, an original 1940's wooden trawler from the local fleet, this is the flagship precinct of the Wharf and specialises in fresh fish and live lobsters, local and imported seafood.
Available direct to the public the smokery faithfully puffs away like in the olden days producing smoked fish and other deli items. In fact its recipe for Oak-Smoked Snoek has been handed down from one generation of Dormans to the next since the ninteenth century, and the only other place it is sold is Cape Town Airport domestic departures. Read the story on its box to ensure you have the genuine product.
Built into the hull of the Kingfisher, a discerning range of estate wine, beer and liqueurs is offered. A must is the Wharf's own wine in a fish-shaped bottle, a truly wonderful souvenir or gift. Due to its unique appeal the Locker was the first South African outlet to be licenced for seven-day-a-week trading.
Only the freshest product is used, as evidenced by this enticing counter having been positioned right alongside where the fish is actually filleted and sold.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Chapman's Peak Drive
Comparable to Italy's Amalfi Drive and hewn out of solid rock, Chapman's Peak meanders from Hout Bay through to Cape Point. About an hour's drive from Mariner's Wharf, and quite spectacular, Cape Point is where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans merge with each other.

Whales (and Dolphins)
No need to travel hundreds of miles to see whales. During season they are so close that diners can smell, hear and photograph these majestic mammals from the comfort of the balconies at Mariner's Wharf.

Harbour Boat Trips
Daily cruises from Hout Bay harbour aboard charter boats such as Nauticat, take you around the dramatic Sentinel mountain to Seal Island. Like elephants and lions in the wild, enjoy seeing seals feeding and breeding in their natural habitat. The duration of most cruises is about an hour.

World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park
Five minutes by car from Mariner's Wharf, World of Birds is one of the largest and most environmentally-friendly parks of its kind.

Hout Bay Beach
Popular for walks, sunbathing and watersports, the beach is flanked by Mariner's Wharf at its western edge and Chapman's Peak to the east. Renowned for fine white sand, safe bathing, and the Disa River (which has Table Mountain as its source) expending itself into a tidal lagoon midway across its expanse, the beach is conveniently accessible, also to parking.

HOUT BAY VILLAGE
Mainstream Centre, the most beautiful outdoor retail experience.

The Amphitheatre, set in the 800 year old Milkwood Forest.

The Sunday Craft Market, on Hout Bay Common opposite Mainstream Centre.

Fisherman's World, themed Village, where the fisherfolk stayed and played.