Visiting African penguins in Boulders beach. Practical tips.
Seeing the penguins in Boulders Beach is one of those rare travel moments that stays with you long after the trip is over. There’s something incredibly charming about watching these little creatures waddling along the sand, splashing in the turquoise water, or sunbathing like they own the place. I’ve visited many beautiful coastal spots around the world, but nothing compares to being just a few steps away from a wild penguin colony in such a spectacular setting. If you’re heading to Cape Town, trust me — this is an experience you don’t want to skip, so let me help you plan how to see penguins in Cape Town.
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).
Time of the year
Cape Town and Boulders Beach are amazing destinations all year long, however, if you are most interested in seeing the penguins, plan your trip between November and August. This is when the colony is most active, and you’re almost guaranteed plenty of sightings. Keep in mind that during the moulting season (usually between November and January), many penguins stay on land for longer periods, which actually makes them easier to spot.
If you want to avoid human crowds, remember that the busiest holiday season is between December and February, right in the middle of the South African summer. The boardwalks get packed, and parking becomes a small adventure on its own, so going outside peak season makes the experience much more peaceful.
From March, you can witness the incredibly sweet sight of fluffy chicks being cared for by attentive adults. It’s honestly one of the most heart-melting scenes to watch.
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 closing time. The light is softer, the heat calms down, and the penguins start returning to shore after their busy day at sea. You can also stay on one of the nearby beaches for sunbathing or relaxing while waiting for the first groups to waddle in.
The true rush hour happens once they come back from foraging — suddenly the rocks and pathways fill with penguins heading home for the evening. It’s chaotic, adorable, and the best moment to observe their natural behaviour up close.
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 centre itself. In fact, many of the most iconic attractions — from the Cape Peninsula to Constantia’s wineries, Hout Bay, Muizenberg, and of course Boulders Beach — are spread out across surrounding neighbourhoods and coastal towns. Public transport doesn’t connect these places well, so the best way to explore Cape Town is by hiring a car.
Driving around is quite easy, the roads are well-maintained, and the views along the coastal routes are spectacular. Just remember that South Africans drive on the left, and distances can be longer than they look on a map. Parking is generally straightforward, though in busy areas like the V&A Waterfront or Camps Bay you may need to be patient.
You can use Discover Cars to compare local and international companies and find the best prices — it’s usually much cheaper than booking directly and gives you more flexible options. Renting a car also gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stop for photos whenever you want, and squeeze in those side trips that make Cape Town such a memorable destination.
However, if you don’t fancy hiring a car, there a few great tours that combine visiting the penguins in the Boulders beach and going to Muizenberg beach as well (the one with colourful huts that you’ve probably seen on many photos).
How to get to Cape Town
Getting to Cape Town is surprisingly easy, and it’s the perfect starting point for anyone planning to see the penguins in Boulders Beach. Cape Town International Airport is one of the busiest in Africa, with direct flights from major European hubs like London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris, as well as from the Middle East and other parts of Africa. If you’re coming from elsewhere, you’ll most likely connect through Johannesburg before continuing to the coast.
Once you land, the airport is only about 20–25 minutes from the city centre, and you can either take a taxi, arrange a private transfer, or pick up a rental car at the terminal. Since many of Cape Town’s best spots are scattered along the coastline, having a car makes exploring incredibly convenient — especially if you’re heading down to Boulders Beach to meet its adorable residents.
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 EKTA.
See also:
- How to spend 4 days in Cape Town, itinerary.
- Visiting Jozani forest in Zanzibar
- A Zanzibar guide for first time travellers
- A guide to malaria free safari in South Africa – Madikwe.
- 6 days in Tunisia: what to see and do in winter when traveling solo
Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.
Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips
- Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
- AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
- Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
- Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
- Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
- World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
- WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
- Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
- Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
- Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
- Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.
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