Visiting African penguins in Boulders beach.
There’s no trip to Cape Town without getting to know the penguins. I know that Cape Town has so much to offer and I enjoyed every minute of my trip (you can read the 4-day itinerary to Cape Town here), but my priority was to see the penguins.
I’ve been chasing penguins around the globe for years (my favourite spots in Chile and Argentina and Galapagos). Whenever I have a chance, I do see them. What is special about this colony though is that is really big (around 3000 individuals) and you can get really close to them (just don’t disturb them- it’s their home).
When to go
Time of the year
Cape Town and Boulders Beach are amazing destinations all your long, however, if you are most interested to see the penguins, plan your trip between November and August.
If you want to avoid human crowds, remember that the busiest holiday season is between December and February, just during South African summer.
From March, you can witness an amazing view of chicks and adults looking after them.
Time of the day
The penguins are most active before sunset, so if you’d like to see crowds of them, plan your visit around 2-3 hours before the closing time. You can also stay on one of the beaches for sunbathing while waiting for the penguins to return after a busy day fishing. The busiest time of the day is then- when penguins come back from foraging.
Practical tips
Not many people know, but Boulders Beach is actually made up of two beaches where the penguins live. The first entrance leads to a viewing deck over Foxy beach. It is located near the ticket office and souvenir shop. To get to the other beach, you need to take a different path near the souvenir shop. It takes around 10 minutes before you get to another ticket office (and a parking lot). This is the place where you can actually swim with penguins or spend a day sunbathing.
One ticket will let you enter both beaches.
There are two parking lots near either of the beaches. They are free, however, there is an unspoken expectation to tip the parking attendant. Locals advised us that anything between R10-R30 is fine.
When you park, be mindful that penguins reside there alongside humans and they own the place, so be cautious when you drive. The penguins often hide under the cars, so have a quick look before you start the engine.
Once you head to the area on False Bay, spend the whole day there. Start early to see the penguins as they are more active just after sunrise (or end the day there just before sunset), visit Simon’s Town for lunch, then head to the Cape of Good Hope and watch the sunset on Muizenberg beach before returning to Cape Town (assuming that you choose accommodation there).
How to get to Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is just outside Simon’s Town on False Bay. It takes around an hour to drive to Boulders Beach from Cape Town. The best way to get there is by car, especially since it would allow you to explore all the attractions nearby, like Simon’s Town, Muizenberg beach or Cape of Good Hope.
If you decided to opt for public transportation, do not worry. There is a train that operates between Cape Town and Simon’s Town along a beautiful coastline, so you’ll have an opportunity to admire the landscape. Then, you can either walk from Simon’s Town to Boulders Beach (I’d say it shouldn’t take you longer than 30 minutes) or take a taxi.
The famous hop-on-hop-off red bus also recently started operating between the two cities, so you might want to consider this option as well.
Where to stay
Cape Town
- Ellerman House– a beautiful villa located in Bantry Bay. Apparently, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited it.
- The Silo Hotel– is probably one of the most luxurious and trendy hotels in Cape Town. It’s located in V&A and its beauty is topped up by amazing views from the rooms and rooftop overlooking Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Despite a whopping price, it was fully booked when we visited.
- Gorgeous Gorge by Design– a beautifully designed hotel in the city centre of Cape Town with a rooftop and DJ entertainment.
- Victoria &Alfred Hotel– this hotel is located in the very heart of V&A Waterfront. It has comfortable and stylish rooms with amazing staff (ask for Jason, he can make everyone’s stay super special).
Simon’s Town
- Boulders Beach Hotel– a small hotel with stunning sea views.
- Residence William French– a stunning, private villa with a pool, which makes it a perfect accommodation for a group of friends or a family.
Practical stuff
Moving around Cape Town
Cape Town is much more than the city itself. In fact, most attractions are in the surrounding neighbourhoods and towns. The best way to see Cape Town is by hiring a car. Driving around is quite easy. You may use Discover Cars for the best prices as they compare local and international companies.
How to get to Cape Town
There are many frequent flights to Cape Town from Europe, Africa and the Middle East with different companies. Join Jack’s Flight Club for super cheap deals.
Don’t forget your insurance
Luckily I never had major situations on my travels, but some people I know have and not all of them were insured, which caused them a lot of financial problems. Travel insurance will protect you from massive illness or injury costs, cancellations or theft. Some best travel insurance companies include World Nomads and Safety Wing.
Happy travels.
Love, Ania
See also:
How to spend 4 days in Cape Town, itinerary.
Visiting Jozani forest in Zanzibar
A Zanzibar guide for first time travellers
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