The Best Place To Spot Penguins In South Africa
Meeting the African penguin is a true bucket-list experience. From their cute tuxedo-like plumage to their clumsy ways, everybody loves these little creatures. There are a couple of places in South Africa where you can spot penguins, but there are only a few of them on the mainland. The most significant one being the beautiful Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Boulders Beach is very close to Cape Town, which makes it the perfect place for a day trip along the breathtaking coastline of the Western Cape.
Boulders Beach: The Perfect Place to Spot Penguins
You can enter Boulders Beach by going through the visitor center. Tickets cost R190 per person (for international travelers, locals pay less), or you can access Boulders with your wild card. Boulders Beach, which is the main beach to spot penguins in this area, consists of some amazing viewpoints and three wooden boardwalks that lead to a couple of smaller beaches. The boardwalks are all wheel-chair friendly and provide magnificent views on the penguins, which makes visiting Boulders an accessible outing for everyone. All along the boardwalk you can find panels with interesting information about the penguins and their habitat.
One of the nicest areas inside the reserve where you can spot penguins is Foxy Beach. It’s just a short walk over the wooden boardwalks from Boulders. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this beautiful sheltered cove. Its soft white sand, ancient and massive granite boulders and of course the penguins make for a truly amazing experience. This beach can be closed off when the penguins are breeding.
Tip: The entire Boulders Beach reserve is a cashless area, so make sure to bring your credit card.
Where to Find the Penguins of Boulders Beach?
Located just near historic Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is only a 40 minute scenic drive from Cape Town. A visit to Boulders beach can be easily combined with other amazing sights in the area, like Cape Point. The area is also home to some pristine beaches and cute towns like Kalk Bay, which are definitely worth a visit. If you’re planning on seeing more than just Boulders, renting a car will be the most convenient and flexible way to get around. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to see different areas at your own pace. I recommend renting a car through Sunny Cars, with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Tip: If you’re short on time, don’t have access to a rental car or really only want to visit Boulders Beach, you can alternatively take the Baz bus to Simon’s Town. This is a relatively fast, safe and easy way to get you there.
Boulders Beach: A Conservation Hub for African Penguins
You can find African penguins on Boulders beach since 1982, when a couple of penguins set their eyes on the breathtaking bay. Since that time their populations have grown immensely. The penguins are perfectly sheltered between the boulders that protect the beach from the weather conditions. The stormy Cape winds and waves are no match for the big boulders. Sadly, the African Penguin was again classified as an endangered species. Their numbers have been dwindling over the past years, due to various reasons. The main reasons for their decline are over-fishing, habitat destruction and pollution. Other problems are irresponsible tourism activities like touching and feeding the penguins.
An Animal-friendly and Sustainable Way to Spot Penguins
Luckily, Boulders and its surrounding beaches are now part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. Because of their hard work the beaches are now safer and cleaner. The African penguins are also being protected and guarded day and night. Boulders accommodates nearly 60.000 visitors each year, so taking measures and pairing up with SAN-parks was a great step towards a more sustainable experience. Since then, the newly added wooden boardwalks have proven their use. They wind their way through the dunes and vegetation and provide great viewing spots. They also protect nesting penguins and their cute little chicks from irresponsible tourism.
When you visit Boulders Beach or suddenly come across penguins while walking on the beach during your trip, please treat them like the wild animals they are. Keep your distance, stay quiet, don’t touch them or feed them.
The Best Time to Spot Penguins
Boulders Beach is always beautiful and the penguins are around all year. There are however a couple of things to consider before you visit. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to steer away from the busy summer months (November to April). A wonderful moment to visit Boulders is during breeding season. The penguin breeding season runs from February to August, and peaks from March to May. It’s fascinating to watch the penguins search for food and to see them feed the small ones. The babies get fed for about two months, usually in the late afternoon. You will see more penguins during the breeding season than any other time.
The Best Moment of the Day to Spot Penguins
The best time of day to visit Boulders Beach is in the late afternoon, right before the boardwalk closes or in the early morning. This way you will beat the crowds and you can catch the best light for photographing the penguins. The penguins are also most active during the morning or late afternoon, win-win! Even during the off season it can be crowded around Boulders, especially on the weekends.
About The Penguins of Boulders Beach
The penguins of Boulders Beach are covered in black, white, and gray, waterproof feathers, even though you will not find them in freezing temperatures. These feathers keep them dry and warm in the ice-cold waters off the African coast. They also have a number of dot-like markings flecked across their white chests. These flecks help to individualize each penguin, just like a human’s fingerprints. African penguins have a distinct and sharply pointed beak and black feet. The African penguin is one of the smallest penguin species in the world, and males are generally a little larger than their female counterparts.
You can spot penguins in large colonies along the southwestern rocky coast of Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, and many of the surrounding islands. The largest colony is located on Dyer Island, but the most famous are definitely the penguins of Boulders Beach. These penguins are located in an area close to Cape Town, which makes it easy to visit them. The birds build nests in sand or deposits or under bushes or rocks. Shelter provides them protection from the harsh sun during the hot African days.
Fun fact: One of the African penguin’s most distinctive features is a patch of pink skin above each eye, which helps the penguins cope with high temperatures in Cape Town. The hotter the penguin gets, the more blood flows to these areas, where it is cooled down by the air, to keep the bird cool. Because of the increased blood flow, these bare patches get pinker as a penguin warms up.
Where to stay?
The area around Boulders Beach is extremely beautiful, so if you have the time I would recommend staying in the area for a night or two. Kalk Bay, Muizenberg and Simon’s Town (with Simon’s Town being in walking distance) are equally beautiful and close to Boulders. There’s plenty to do in these cute towns, so they are definitely worth a stay. Here are all your hotel options in and around Simon’s Town
If you are short on time, staying in Cape Town is a more convenient option. Driving up from Cape Town will take you less than an hour, so you can easily make a day trip out of it. You can even combine your visit to Boulders Beach with a visit to Muizenberg Beach with its cute and colorful beachfront huts or with the Cape of Good Hope, the pointiest bit of the Cape. Both have magnificent views over the ocean. Here are all your hotel options in Cape Town
Tip: Going on a roadtrip through South Africa? Plan ahead and use our travel tips and guides to make an itinerary. Read all about travel to South Africa here
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