Boulders Beach

About Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach near Simon's Town is a must for many reasons. It is tranquil, speckled with dramatic rounded boulders, lapped by the turquoise of the ocean, and home to scores of the endangered African penguin. In fact, it remains one of the most visited beaches in and around Cape Town, as visitors from all over the world come here to get up close to the cute and quirky birds.

The ancient granite boulders have been rounded by eons of wind and water erosion, giving them a romantic appeal. But, more than this, they provide excellent shelter from big waves or excessive wind. This makes the beach perfect for long, lazy days spent soaking up the sun. The waters here are still from the Indian Ocean, making them a tad warmer than those of the Atlantic Ocean just a little further on. So, Boulders Beach is ideal for little ones that prefer the warmer, calmer waters to tackling the waves.

But, the penguins are certainly the highlight of Boulders beach. And, to get the most out of seeing this massive colony (currently with a population of around 3 000 birds), there are three unobtrusive boardwalks as well as a penguin viewing area. From these, you can watch them play, swim, feed and care for their young. The African penguin was once called the jackass penguin because of the sound it makes (which sounds peculiarly like a donkey braying). Although they can be found all the way from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Namibia, they are most easily (and abundantly) seen here on Boulders Beach (and its neighbouring Foxy Beach).

Because Boulders is a sanctuary for the African penguin, it is crucial that all visitors respect it and care for it.

Simon's Town is renowned as a naval base, and has a fascinating variety of boats in its harbour. More than this, it is quaint and charming, and a hotspot for excellent dining. It is less than an hour from Cape Town and the V & A Waterfront.