Last Updated on June 26, 2024 by thecapetownblog
Visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town is without a doubt one of the best things to do when you come to the city.
That’s right, as if beaches, mountains, wine farms, and amazing food weren’t enough, Cape Town also has its very own penguin colony!
I’ve been to visit the penguins twice so far, once independently during the winter and a second time during the summer as part of a guided tour – and I absolutely loved it both times!
However, the penguins aren’t exactly smack dab in the middle of town and so I’ve put together a guide containing all the info you’ll need to go and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach.
About the penguins at Boulders Beach
The penguin colony at Boulders Beach is currently about 3,000 birds strong, which is pretty impressive given that back in 1982, there were only two breeding pairs left in the world!
African penguins are usually between 60-70 centimetres tall, so they’re pretty small – and very cute!
It’s estimated that there are 14,700 breeding pairs left in the wild, so they are considered to be an endangered species.
These guys have a cute little waddle that makes them look slightly drunk, but they’re great swimmers. They’re also near-sighted on land, but have amazing underwater vision. And they used to be called “jackass penguins” because their call sounds a bit like a braying donkey!
Where is Boulders Beach?
Boulders Beach is 41 kilometres (25 miles) from Cape Town city centre. The drive takes around 45 minutes if you avoid traffic.
It’s in Simon’s Town, which is one of the oldest towns in South Africa, located on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula.
It’s also pretty close to Kalk Bay and Muizenberg, both of which you can go and visit after you’ve visited the penguin beach.
How to get to Boulders Beach
Drive Yourself
Boulders Beach is pretty easy to get to from central Cape Town.
You can drive yourself there, and if you haven’t got a car you can rent one from Discover Cars, which is the website that I always use.
You can compare suppliers by price and customer ratings to make sure that you get a good deal. You can also add full coverage insurance to make sure you’re covered whatever happens.
Click here to compare rental cars in Cape Town
The best route to Boulders Beach
I recommend taking the scenic route to Boulders Beach.
To do this, head to Camps Bay and then follow the coastal road past Hout Bay. I loved the beautiful views of the mountains and coastline, and Hout Bay is just stunning.
Then, in Hout Bay, you’ll reach toll gate where you’ll need to pay R61 to drive your car along the Chapman’s Peak scenic drive. It’s probably one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
It winds along the red rocky cliffs along the coast offering beautiful views of the mountains and the sea. This route is so much better than taking the highway! Just make sure to check the status of the road before you head out.
Take a Guided Tour
Penguin Encounter Boulders Beach Half Tour Day from Cape Town
This penguin beach tour picks you up from any of the central neighbourhoods in Cape Town and takes you along the stunning Chapman’s Peak drive.
Then, you’ll spend 2 hours at Boulders Beach. This is plenty of time to see the penguins, relax, and get some food.
You’ll head back to town via Muizenberg and the False Bay coast, which is also super scenic, so you get a good overview of the whole peninsula on this tour!
The tour starts around 8:30 am and lasts for about 5 hours. This means you’ll get dropped off back at your hotel mid-afternoon, with plenty of time to catch the sunset.
It costs R640 including your transport and toll fee, but you still have to pay the entrance fee to Boulders Beach on the day, which costs R190.
Click here to check availability and book this tour, with free cancellation!
Full Day Cape Point Sightseeing Tour
The second time I went, I did so as part of a City Sightseeing tour that also took us to the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. We didn’t get to drive along Chapman’s Peak on this tour, but we had plenty of time to see the penguin beach and have lunch.
Do note that that with this tour, you still have to pay the entry fee to Boulders Beach on the day. There’s also an optional guided hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope, although we didn’t do this as the weather was bad!
The tour costs R565 for the bus ride, and then you have to pay the admission fee to see the penguins and the R400 Nature Reserve Fee on the day.
I really enjoyed this tour because our guide was super friendly and his commentary made us laugh along the way. You can read my full review of the experience here.
Click here to check availability and book this tour, with free cancellation!
Kayak!
Arguably the most exciting way to get to Boulders Beach is to kayak there!
This kayaking tour leaves from Simon’s Town and takes you paddling over to Boulders Beach to see the penguins. You’ll also stop at Windmill Beach, which is a beautiful and lesser-known penguin hotspot.
Paddling alongside the penguins is the cutest experience ever and if you book the 7 am slot, you’ll probably catch their morning feed!
And if all that weren’t enough, you can also spot whales while kayaking during the winter, as Simon’s Town is a hotspot for them – how cool is that?
Click here to book your spot, with free cancellation!
Is there parking at Boulders Beach?
Yes, you can park at the parking lot on Bellevue Road on the south side of the beach, which is the first one you’ll come to if you take the Chapman’s Peak route to Boulders Beach.
There’s also parking on the north side if you’re coming along the eastern side of the peninsula at the Seaforth Beach lot. It’s free to park in either lot – happy days!
How much is the entry fee to see Penguins at Boulders Beach?
For international visitors, entry to the penguin beach costs R190 for adults and R95 for kids.
Entry to National Parks is always cheaper for locals in South Africa! If you are lucky enough to have a South African ID, then it costs R45 for adults and R25 for kids.
How do you view the penguins at Boulders Beach?
After you’ve paid your entry fee, you’ll head through the gate and walk along the boardwalk. It boardwalk will lead you right down to the penguin beach, which is where you’ll see the highest volume of these cuties.
Just don’t be an idiot and go poking at the penguins. Though they may be little, they are fierce!
When is the best time of year to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach?
Boulders Beach is open all year round. However, you should try to pick a sunny day so that you can chill there for a while, and avoid strong winds if you can.
The first time I visited the penguin beach was on a gloriously warm day in the middle of winter. There was no wind and we actually really regretted not bringing our bathing suits! African penguins also breed from May until August, so visiting in July meant that we got to see lots of baby penguins.
The second time I went was during the summer, but the wind was strong and we got sandblasted! But that’s just the luck of the draw, I guess.
If you’re visiting in the summer, I also would recommend going on a weekday if you can. Try to get there early in the morning if possible to avoid the crowds and beat the heat.
What else is there to do at Boulders Beach?
Other wildlife
If penguins aren’t enough for you, you can also see dassies at Boulders Beach, especially during the summer when they’re most active.
Dassies are furry little animals that look like giant guinea pigs, but they’re actually the closest living relative of the elephant!
During the winter, you can also spot humpback whales breaching in the distance. Whales come to the Cape Peninsula from May to November to give birth to their young. We saw one while chilling at one of the cafes and it was super exciting.
If you’re visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach on a hot day, you can go and sunbathe at a nearby beach. You might even find yourself swimming alongside a penguin!
There are also some cafes and restaurants around where you can grab refreshments and enjoy the views. I loved the fish and chips at Seaforth Restaurant.
After Boulders Beach
If you’re leaving the city and exploring the peninsula, then I figure you might as well make a day of it!
After Boulders, you can head to the hippie towns of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. Kalk Bay has a nice tidal pool, as well as some great restaurants and boutiques. Muizenberg has a similarly laid back vibe and is probably the most popular place to go surfing in Cape Town.
You can also drive for another half an hour south of Boulders to the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. The former is (incorrectly) famous for being the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. The second is the south-westernmost point of Africa.
Both are beautiful, and iconic places to visit!
How long should I spend at Boulders Beach?
It’s up to you! I’d say that you need at least half an hour to see the penguins, walk around the boardwalks, and snap lots of photos. Then, you can hang around the area and relax for a bit afterwards if you like.
Where else can I see penguins in Cape Town?
Boulders Beach is the most popular place to see penguins in Cape Town, but you see them at the Stony Point Nature Reserve. It’s 88 kilometres (56 miles) from Cape Town to the reserve, and it’s home to the third-largest African penguin colony in the world.
There are also penguins on Robben Island. You can’t see them here because they’re not on the official tour route, but I saw some while kayaking in Sea Point!
Is it worth it to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach?
Yes! It’s so good that I’ve been twice, and I’ll definitely go again. The penguins are so cute and seeing them in their natural habitat is really amazing, especially since that habitat happens to be a beautiful beach. I’d definitely say it’s a must-do activity while you’re here.
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