The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape Town
The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape Town
The Sentinel, also known as Sentinel Mountain or Sentinel Peak, is a striking natural landmark located at the entrance of Hout Bay, Cape Town. Its dramatic, sharp profile rising 331 m (1,086 ft) from the ocean makes it an iconic feature of the Cape Peninsula landscape. The mountain forms part of the rugged coastal scenery surrounding Hout Bay and serves as a natural guardian at the mouth of the bay.
The Sentinel has long been a navigational marker for sailors approaching Hout Bay, with its towering presence guiding vessels safely into the harbor. It stands as a symbol of the area’s maritime heritage and is deeply tied to the history of fishing and trade in the region. While its rocky cliffs are mostly inaccessible, the mountain is admired by climbers and adventurers for its challenging terrain.
While climbing The Sentinel itself requires advanced skills, the surrounding areas, such as Chapman’s Peak Drive, offer stunning views of the peak and the bay below. Kayaking and boat trips from Hout Bay Harbour provide close-up views of the mountain, allowing visitors to appreciate its dramatic cliffs and marine environment.
The Sentinel is also part of the area’s thriving biodiversity, offering habitats for various bird species and marine life along its coastal base.
Locals often view The Sentinel as more than just a mountain—it is a symbol of Hout Bay’s unique identity, blending natural beauty with historical significance. It is frequently featured in photographs, artwork, and storytelling related to the Cape Town area.
While access to the mountain itself is restricted, The Sentinel’s beauty can be enjoyed from various vantage points, whether by road, sea, or nearby hiking trails.
Accommodation Near The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape Town
Villa Tranquility Hout Bay
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hout Bay
2.2km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownTranquility Luxury Villa offers self catering accommodation in a good area of Cape Town's Hout Bay and close to Hout Bay beachfront (5 minutes walk), shops and restaurants. This lovely spacious Villa (sleeps 9) has all you need for the perfect holiday... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Gables
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hout Bay
2.2km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownThe Gables is a luxury self-catering villa, homely decorated with Colonial and African influences, consists of 5 spacious bedrooms (sleeps 11), 2 lounges with French doors leading onto the garden with sparkling pool and Jacuzzi, 2 fully equipped kitchens …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Bayview Mountain Sea-facing Cottages
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hout Bay
3.5km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownBayview Mountain Sea-facing Cottages in Hout Bay are quietly nestled against the forest, on the slopes of the "Skoorsteenkop Mountain" in the desirable Scott Estate area, where the clean mountain air and ocean breezes combine to... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Dreamhouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Hout Bay
4.2km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownMajestically perched above the Hout Bay Valley in Cape Town, Dreamhouse Guest House is a calm oasis from which to enjoy your stay in Cape Town. Each of the 12 beautifully appointed accommodation options offers privacy, comfort and attention to... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Karrad Guest Lodge
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hout Bay
4.4km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownKarrad Guest Lodge provides self catering accommodation in Hout Bay, Cape Town. One bedroom, two bedroom or a three bedroomed cottage at reasonable rates. Lovely pastoral setting with mountain views. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Waterland Lodge
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Hout Bay
6.9km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownWaterland Lodge provides self catering accommodation in Hout Bay, Cape Town. We have 7 self catering cottages to choose from to to ensure a great stay in Hout Bay. Lush river banks, mountain forests and a central location set amongst Hout Bay's... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Buhle
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Kommetjie
8.1km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownA fantastic 3-bedroom home directly located on a vlei at Imhoff's Gift in Kommetjie, only minutes away from Long Beach and Noordhoek Beach. We call the house "BUHLE" which means "beautiful house" in Xhosa - and it is truly... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Plotsklaps Self Catering Cottage
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Tokai
8.1km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownPlotsklaps offers self catering cottage accommodation in Tokai, Cape Town. A superb family home situated on the slopes of Constantiaberg Mountains bordering Tokai Forests, wine producing vineyards and magnificent golf courses, and mountain walks. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
African Violet
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town
9.3km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownSelf Catering Villas with uninterrupted views overlooking Noordhoek Valley to the Atlantic Ocean, offer privacy and comfort in a contemporary African setting. Bask in the African sun at the pool. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Tobago Heights
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Capri Village
9.6km from The Sentinel - Hout Bay, Cape TownTobago Heights is a 2 bedroom self catering apartment (sleeps 4) in the Capri Village area looking down the Noordhoek Valley, stretching to Noordhoek’s 7km beach of white sand and to Chapmans Peak Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Duiker Island (Seal Island) - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.05km)
- Bay Harbour Market - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.07km)
- Hout Bay Harbour Festival - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.28km)
- Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.30km)
- Hout Bay Harbour and Mariners Wharf - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.42km)
- Hout Bay Beach - Hout Bay, Cape Town (1.93km)
- Chapman's Peak Drive - Cape Town (2.69km)
- Hout Bay Museum - Hout Bay, Cape Town (2.93km)
- Sandy Bay - nr Llandudno, Cape Town (3.62km)
- The Red Herring Trading Post - Noordhoek, Cape Town (4.76km)
- Constantiaberg - Southern Peninsula, Cape Town (4.78km)
- World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary & Monkey Park - Hout Bay, Cape Town (4.89km)
- Llandudno Beach - Llandudno, Cape Town (5.12km)
- Noordhoek Beach - Noordhoek, Cape Town (5.19km)
- Noordhoek Farm Village - Noordhoek, Cape Town (5.57km)
- Tokai Forest - Cape Town, Western Cape (6.30km)
- Oudekraal Beach - nr Llandudno, Cape Town (7.25km)
- Long Beach - Kommetjie, Cape Town (7.52km)
- Constantia Nek Pass - Cape Town (7.80km)
- Kommetjie Beach - Kommetjie, Cape Town (7.87km)
