Just around the corner from Simon’s Town lies Boulders Beach, a sheltered cove of soft white sand, massive granite boulders and – being on the Indian Ocean side of the peninsula – water that’s a little warmer than the icy temperatures of Cape Town's Atlantic Ocean beaches.
Yet it’s not the squeaky-clean sand or crystal clear water that makes visitors to flock to Boulders but its local residents – penguins. Boulders Beach and neighbouring Foxy Beach are home to a colony of thousands of African penguins and it's great fun to watch them go about their daily business: preening and sunning themselves, guarding a nest, waddling along the sand like an old married couple and then transforming into sleek black-and-white torpedoes as soon as they enter the water.
To get really close to the penguins stroll along the wooden boardwalks that thread through the dense vegetation, over the dunes and round Foxy Beach - with such a beautiful setting and ever-obliging birds you’re sure to get some great photos. In fact the penguins almost seem to pose for pictures, though a word of warning: don’t hassle the penguins or try to touch them - they may look cute but they can be grouchy and those beaks are razor sharp.
Afterward wandering the boardwalks, head down to Boulders Beach itself and find a spot to soak up some sunshine and enjoy the unique experience of sharing a stretch of sand with these birds in their butler-style tailcoats. If you’re travelling with kids, be prepared to stay a while: the water’s safe for swimming, there are rock pools to explore and boulders to clamber about on – it really is the perfect spot for a family beach picnic.
A final word of advice for those who have driven to Boulders Beach: before you leave, check to see whether any stray birds have chosen to rest in the shade of, or underneath, your car.
At 40 km from the city centre, Boulders is the furthest of our Cape Town beaches but its position makes it the perfect stop on your drive either to or from Cape Point, and if you book a scheduled peninsula tour it’s sure to be included.
Who will enjoy it: Everyone! And kids are sure to love Boulders as much – if not more – than adults.
Entry Fee: Adults R45 Children age 2-11 R20 (valid until 31 October 2012) The Boulders Beach penguin colony has grown rapidly over the years and it is now possible to see a few birds for free on neighbouring beaches, but the overwhelming majority of birds are still found within the reserve so we’d highly recommend paying the small entrance fee charged by the Table Mountain National Parks.
Opening times: Refer to the South African National Parks for the latest entry and exit times.
Our Luxury Cape Town City Experience makes the most of a stay in Cape Town with 4 nights in a charming boutique hotel and all manner of activities including a visit to Boulders Beach and Cape Point, trip to the top of Table Mountain and time spent in the Cape Winelands.
Our favourite beach lodges near Boulders:
Tintswalo Atlantic (Hout Bay): a top choice for those looking for a romantic retreat away from the city centre with just 10 individually decorated suites, plenty of privacy and Atlantic Ocean views.
The Last Word Long Beach (Noordhoek): spectacular sea and mountain views plus an on-your-doorstep beach are what to expect at this boutique hotel, just 40 min from Cape Town.
View more Cape Town coastal accommodation.
Written by Sandra Mallinson. Connect with her on Google+.
At a Glance
This tiny and seemingly insignificant beach along the False Bay seaboard is actually one of Cape Town's biggest tourist attractions, namely due to the thousand-strong African penguin colony living in and around the dunes and boulders.