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07 September 2021
The beautiful Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches and the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins.
Cape Town definitely has no shortage of amazing beaches, but Boulders Beach in False Bay offers something extra special – a colony of African Penguins in all their smartly dresses, waddling glory, right under your nose. In fact, it’s the only place in the world where you can get close to African Penguins.
In 1982 a couple of these little crowd-pleasers settled on the soft white sand between the large granite boulders that protect the beach from wind and large, stormy waves, and currently the population is estimated between 2,000 and 3,000 birds. Sadly the African Penguin has been classified as an endangered species, due to things like over-fishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and irresponsible tourism activities, and the Boulders Beach colony has also felt the effect, with numbers dwindling over the last couple of years.
Thankfully, Boulders and its surrounding beaches now form part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, thus ensuring the beaches are safe and clean, and the penguins protected. A couple of years ago three wheelchair-friendly boardwalks were constructed to accommodate the nearly 60,000 visitors that visit the beach each year. These boardwalks wind their way through the dunes and vegetation and not only provides great viewing spots, but also protects nesting penguins and their chicks. However, you can still spot one or two of the little fellas waddling through the parking lot from time to time.
Boulders Beach isn’t just a great place for penguins, it’s also a popular family-friendly swimming beach where kids can climb over the boulders, explore the rock pools, or swim in the cool, clear False Bay water. It’s also a great place for a leisurely picnic. Due to a conservation fee, the beach is rarely packed.
If you’d like to learn more about the area’s famous inhabitants, be sure to pop over to the Boulders Visitors Centre where expert guides will give you tonnes of interesting information about Africa’s own, unique penguins.
Boulders Beach is situated False Bay, just outside Simon’s Town, on the way to Cape Point. It’s about an hour’s drive by car from the CBD.
There are a couple of routes you can take to get there:
Around the mountain via the Southern Suburbs, and leafy Bishops Court, past the Constantia Valley to Kalk Bay, then along the coast to Simon’s Town
From Camps Bay via Hout Bay, along Chapman’s Peak drive, past Noordhoek and Kommetjie (an incredibly scenic drive)
If you’d like to use public transport:
Catch a train from Cape Town Station all the way to Simon’s Town (be sure to buy a First Class ticket). The train runs along the Kalk Bay coastline, an incredibly scenic train ride. From Simon’s Town you can either take the 30 or so minute walk through the historic little naval town, or catch a taxi.
The City Sightseeing’s Cape Point Explorer also stops at Boulders on its way to Cape Point and it’s a convenient and affordable trip to take. Speak to your Travel Counsellor for more suggestions.
Content source: www.capetown.travel
Photo Credit: Cape Town Tourism
Disclaimer: While we strive to ensure all information is up to date and current, changes in government Covid 19 regulations are out of our control and may impact some information. Please speak to your Travel Counsellor should you have any questions.
Speak to your Travel Counsellor for ideas, inspiration and insider tips to craft the perfect Cape Town Holiday Experience. A trip to Boulders Beach to see the penguins is an absolute must. Did you know that it is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with the penguins? Remember that your Travel Counsellor is on hand ready to assist you before, during and even after your trip. Share your Photos of your Cape Town experience and use the #lovecapetown and #TCExperience
