Hout Bay : Profile

Clearance

Every port in SA is considered to be a new "International Stop" for the yachts. Yachtsmen are considered seamen, not tourists. As a result, the paperwork and procedures to follow especially in Cape Town are the same as for the big freighters.

Yachts must check in and out with Customs, Immigration and Port Captain in each port. Make sure you see Immigration as soon as possible after your arrival and the Skipper must report to the Customs Office within 24 hours.

If you clear in to Simonstown or Hout Bay you will have to present your whole crew to the officer in town.

Customs are at the main gate and Immigration office is in Room 535, 5th Floor, Customs & Excise Building, (outside the Adderly Street Customs Gate) Adderly Str. Cape Town (the "old state warehouse" on the "foreshore" in downtown Cape Town).

When departing from South Africa for a foreign destination skippers must clear with the following:-

The yacht club, where they will receive a clearance certificate. Immigration ( as above). The Harbour Revenue Office, Ben Schoeman Dock. Finally at Customs at the main gate where the yacht club clearance certificate is required.

Docking

Hout Bay is very sheltered bay, surrounded by spectacular mountains and sporting a picturesque harbour for a small fishing fleet, a marina with about 100 walk on moorings (floating pontoons) and the pontoons for the ABC boat Club, plus some charter boats taking tourists to cruises in the bay and to Seal Island. The harbour wall has recently been extended and now protects the marina completely from any surge.

In the little town just 10 minutes walk from the port you find laundry services, rental cars, hardware shops, tool hire, spare parts, supermarkets, pharmacy and a great number of restaurants. The town and port is reasonably safe even after dark and there are many security guards watching this upmarket tourist place and the pretty homes.

Commercial Port
Tel:021 7901750, VHF Channel 16
Contact Port Captain. Substantial docks with large tires as fenders (don't forget fender-board) or raft up to a fishing boat. Electricity and water to be shared with commercial boats. A cheap, but noisy alternative when the fishing fleet works. No security gates, no showers.

Hout Bay Boatyard
Tel:021 7905624, Fax:021 7903619
hbby@mweb.co.za
Contact Warren on arrival. Boats over 60 ft possible. Small slipway, all repair facilities, electricity and water on the dock. Excellent security, tackle and bait shop, ice, very friendly office and comprehensive services. No showers.

Hout Bay Yacht Club Marina
Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, Postal: P.O. Box 26173, Hout Bay 7872, South Africa
Tel:+27-21-790-3110 / Office +27 (0)21 790 7095 / Cell: 082 446 9424, Fax:+27-21-790-2585, VHF Channel 71 (0900-1300 not Wed & Sun)
www.hbyc.co.za, hbyc@iafrica.com
Contact Peter at the marina office. Fully fledged marina with electricity and water on the dock, showers and toilets (24 hours) at the new clubhouse, WiFi. Visitors pay a small fee to become temporary club members in order to use club facilities. The Club welcomes visiting cruisers and the staff in the office are a helpful source of local information. Full secretarial services, holding of mail, fax etc. Fair rates, good security (though take the usual precausions). Maximum size 20 tons and 54 ft for visiting yachts with rates a maximum of R120 a week for 54 ft yachts. Now has WiFi.

Yacht Clubs

Atlantic Boat Club
Tel:082 6510119
Contact Garth. Walk on pontoons, electricity and water on the dock, good security, but no showers. Boats over 60 ft possible. Most expensive alternative in the port.

Hout Bay Yacht Club Marina [see above]

Related Reports

Caribbean to West Africa (10 Jul 2008)

USA, Florida to Cape Town, South Africa (22 May 2008)

Winter crossing of the South Atlantic (22 May 2008)

South Africa, Cape Town to Rio de La Plata, Argentina (22 May 2008)

South Africa, Cape Town to Thailand (15 May 2008)

Malaysia - Cape Town - Uruguay (15 May 2008)

Customs Problems In Suldanha Bay? (14 Feb 2008)

Richards Bay: Not piracy but an invasion of our privacy (29 Jan 2008)

Comments on Zululand Yacht Club (08 Jan 2008)

South Atlantic Circuit (10 Feb 2006)

South African Radio Nets (26 Jan 2006)

Website for Cape of Good Hope cruising route (31 Dec 2001)

Update East London by MIZ MAE (03 Dec 2001)

The Latest on Durban Formalities (03 Dec 2001)

Durban October 2001 (03 Dec 2001)

Related News

Governors' Cup From Capetown To St Helena (26 Mar 2008)

New Cruising Guide to Durban Available on the Internet (11 Dec 2004)

South Africa Departure Point for Several New Races (11 Nov 2004)

South Atlantic Race & Rally To Start Early 2006 (15 Aug 2004)

World Cruising Club Announces Details of Round the World Race (09 Jun 2003)