Boulders Beach — The Penguins
There are few places in the world where you can observe penguins in the wild without traveling to Antarctica. Boulders Beach near Simon's Town is one of them — and the most famous. Over 2,000 African penguins (also known as jackass penguins) live here among the round granite boulders that give the beach its name.
The Experience
A boardwalk leads over the dunes to the colony — you can watch the penguins up close as they waddle, swim, breed, and chatter loudly. At the adjacent public beach (Seaforth Beach), you can actually swim alongside the penguins — a unique experience where the penguins jump into the water completely unfazed next to you.
- Admission: 176 ZAR (9€) for adults, 90 ZAR for children (SANParks).
- Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon — fewer tourists and the penguins are more active. Breeding season: February to August (more penguins on land).
- Note: The African penguin is critically endangered — the population has shrunk by over 97% in the last 100 years. Keep a distance (at least 2 meters), do not feed or touch them. Your entrance fee supports conservation.
💡 Tipp
Enter via Seaforth Beach (side entrance) instead of the main entrance — less queue and you reach the beach where you can swim alongside the penguins. The water of False Bay is significantly warmer (18–22°C in summer) than on the Atlantic side.
