Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters, a sheltered sandy beach shared with a colony of African penguins that waddle, swim, and nest among the massive granite boulders that give the beach its name. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, this remarkable spot on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula allows visitors to come within metres of hundreds of wild African penguins in their natural habitat – an experience that is simultaneously endearing, comical, and genuinely moving.

The Penguin Colony

African penguins – once called jackass penguins for their braying call – are a vulnerable species endemic to the southern African coastline. The Boulders Beach colony was established in 1982 when just two breeding pairs arrived, and has grown to over 2,000 birds, representing one of the largest accessible penguin colonies in South Africa. The colony is unusual in being located in a suburban environment – the penguins and the residents of Simon’s Town have reached a remarkable accommodation with each other.

The penguins are present year-round, though numbers fluctuate seasonally. They breed from February through August, when eggs and chicks can be seen in the nest burrows among the boulders and low vegetation. Outside breeding season the birds are more active and visible as they moult, fish in the bay, and socialise on the beach.

• Over 2,000 African penguins in a colony established in 1982
• Part of Table Mountain National Park – World Heritage Site
• African penguins are a vulnerable species found only on southern African coasts
• Breeding season February to August; year-round presence
• Boardwalks allow close observation without disturbing the colony

What to See and Experience

Two viewing areas are accessible from the park entrance: the Foxy Beach viewing area, where you observe penguins from boardwalks above the beach without entering it, and Boulders Beach itself, where penguins and visitors share the same sandy space. The Boulders Beach section is where the magic happens – penguins waddle past sunbathers, swim in the sheltered waters, and nest among the granite outcrops with complete indifference to human presence.

Swimming at Boulders is wonderful – the massive boulders create sheltered pools of relatively calm water, and sharing the ocean with penguins is genuinely unforgettable. The water temperature is cool but swimmable in summer. The beach is beautiful even apart from the penguins, with clear turquoise water and dramatic granite scenery.

Practical Information

• Entry: Table Mountain National Park fee, approximately R232 for international adults
• Hours: Daily 8am-5pm; extended to 7:30pm in December and January
• Duration: 1-3 hours at the beach plus travel time
• Swimming: Permitted at Boulders Beach but not at Foxy Beach viewing area
• Rules: Do not touch or feed penguins; keep 1.5m distance

Local Insights

• Arrive early (8-9am) for the best penguin activity and smallest crowds
• Combine with the scenic Cape Peninsula drive through Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak
• Simon’s Town itself is a charming historic naval town worth exploring for lunch
• The False Bay waters are warmer than the Atlantic side – better for swimming
• Bring a jacket as Cape weather can change rapidly even in summer

Getting There

• Train: Metrorail Simon’s Town line from Cape Town Station to Simon’s Town; short taxi or walk to beach
• Driving: Follow M4 south through Muizenberg and Fish Hoek to Simon’s Town; beach is signposted
• Tour: Most Cape Peninsula tours include a Boulders Beach stop
• Distance: Approximately 45 minutes from central Cape Town