There are few travel experiences as pure and delightful as your first sight of the Boulders Beach penguins. You round the boardwalk, and there they are: hundreds of African penguins — comical, dignified, endlessly busy — waddling across the white sand, braying like donkeys (their old name was the "jackass penguin"), preening among the giant granite boulders, and porpoising through the turquoise shallows. This is one of the only places on the planet where you can stand within a few metres of a wild penguin colony, and it never fails to make people grin like children.
Tucked beside the historic naval village of Simon's Town, on the warm False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, Boulders is one of Cape Town's most-loved attractions. This guide covers everything you need to visit well — tickets, timing, the boardwalks, swimming, getting there, and how to weave it into a spectacular day.
The African penguins of Boulders Beach, Simon's Town — in golden Cape light.
Quick Answer
Boulders Beach, near Simon's Town, is home to a colony of endangered African penguins you can watch from close range. It's a SANParks site — 2026 entry is about R190–R215 per international adult (far less for residents). Penguins are there year-round; come early morning for the best light and fewest crowds. View from the Foxy Beach boardwalks; swim at the sheltered Boulders cove. It's 40–45 km from the city, and pairs perfectly with Cape Point.
See it on a peninsula tour — let our team plan your Cape day.
Meet the African Penguin
The African penguin is the only penguin species that breeds on the African continent. Standing about 60 cm tall, with a black-and-white "tuxedo", a distinctive black chest band and a splash of pink above the eyes, it's superbly adapted to the cool, fish-rich waters of the Benguela and Agulhas currents. The Boulders colony is remarkably recent: it was founded by just a couple of breeding pairs in 1982, and — protected from land predators and fishing — it grew into the thriving colony you see today. Sadly, the species as a whole is endangered, its numbers a fraction of what they once were, which makes this protected population all the more precious.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Boulders is managed by SANParks as part of Table Mountain National Park, so there's a conservation entrance fee. For 2026, expect roughly R190–R215 per international adult and R95–R105 per international child, with much lower rates for South African residents (around R45–R50 for adults). SANParks Wild Card holders enter on their card. The gates are open daily, with slightly longer hours in the summer season and shorter hours in winter — generally from around 08:00 until early evening in summer and until late afternoon in winter. Fees and hours are set by SANParks and change annually, so check the official site before you go, or join a tour where everything is arranged for you.
The Best Time to Visit
The wonderful thing about Boulders is that the penguins are there all year round — you'll never be disappointed. That said, timing shapes the experience. Come early in the morning: the birds are most active, the light is soft and golden for photography, and you'll beat the tour-bus crowds that build through the middle of the day. Season matters too. For fluffy grey chicks, roughly February to August is best; the main breeding and courtship activity peaks around August to November. Summer (December–January) is warmest for swimming but busiest, while June and July are cool, quiet and beloved by photographers. In winter, you might even spot whales in the same False Bay waters.
Boardwalks, Foxy Beach & Swimming
The colony is spread across two adjacent areas. Foxy Beach has the main viewing boardwalks — raised timber walkways (stroller-friendly and largely wheelchair accessible) that carry you out over the dunes and sand where the largest concentration of penguins nests and gathers. This is the classic spot to watch and photograph them without disturbing the birds. A short walk away, Boulders Beach proper is a sheltered swimming cove tucked among the huge granite boulders, with calm, clear water — and yes, penguins sometimes swim right alongside you. A single SANParks ticket covers both.
The golden rule: never touch, chase or feed the penguins. They're wild, endangered animals, they nest in the bushes and even under parked cars (check before you drive off!), and those sharp beaks can deliver a serious bite. Keep to the boardwalks and paths, give them space, and let them go about their busy penguin lives.
Getting There from Cape Town
Boulders sits about 40–45 km from the city centre, roughly a 45-minute to one-hour drive along one of the most scenic coastal routes in the country. The classic approach follows the False Bay coast through the surf town of Muizenberg, the artsy fishing harbour of Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, arriving at Simon's Town. You can self-drive (there's parking near the entrance), take an Uber, or ride the Metrorail Southern Line to Simon's Town and walk or taxi the final stretch. The easiest and most rewarding option, though, is a guided tour that folds the penguins into a full peninsula day.
The Perfect Peninsula Day
Boulders is at its best as part of a grand loop around the Cape Peninsula. A classic full day combines the penguins with Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope — the wild, dramatic tip of the peninsula where two oceans meet — plus the cliff-hugging Chapman's Peak Drive, the fishing harbour of Hout Bay and the seal colony at Duiker Island. Our Boulders Penguins & Cape of Good Hope half-day tour is the efficient option, while the private Cape Peninsula tour and the Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point small-group tour give you the full, unhurried experience with a guide who knows the best light and the quietest moments.
Let us take you to meet the penguins the easy way — entry sorted, timing perfect, and the whole glorious peninsula wrapped around them. Talk to our Cape Town team and we'll build your ideal day.
