Boulders Beach
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About Boulders Beach
Get the inside scoop on Boulders Beach from local experts, travel creators, and tastemakers. Browse genuine trip notes, Boulders Beach reviews, photos, travel guides, and itineraries from real travelers and plan your trip with confidence.
What people say
Morgan Nott
"Welcome to Boulders Beach, where cuteness overload awaits in the charming town of Simon's Town! This iconic beach is not your ordinary sandy spot—it's home to a colony of African penguins who've been strutting their stuff since 1982. These adorable birds are like the VIPs of the beach, delighting visitors with their playful waddles & quirky antics.
Currently, around 2,000 penguins call Boulders Beach their home sweet home. But, these little guys are sadly endangered, facing threats like habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. That's why Boulders Beach is more than just a pretty picture—it's a vital sanctuary for these precious penguins.
Ready for the fun part? The beach's sheltered coves & crystal-clear waters create a perfect paradise for the penguins to chill & thrive. Here, you can get up close & personal with them! Thanks to boardwalks that let you observe these feathered friends without intruding on their space, you'll have a blast watching them waddle, swim, & play in their natural habitat. It's an experience that's as educational as it is entertaining, making Boulders Beach a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages! 🐧🌊"
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Arachne Consulting
"Just south of Simon’s Town, this is one of the most famous beaches to visit in Cape Town because of it’s resident colony of endangered African penguins. Visitors can view these penguins up close from designated boardwalks and platforms, or can even swim alongside them in the calm, clear waters. The granite boulders both shelter the beach and create clear, shallow rock pools for the whole family to enjoy. The beach has basic amenities and a café, however has paid entrance and limited space so get there early!
● Opening Times:
▶ 7am - 7:30pm (December + January)
▶ 8am - 6:30pm (February + March)
▶ 8am - 5pm (April - November)
● Cost: SANParks rates
▶ South African Residents (SA ID required):
- R44 per adult
- R22 per child
▶ International Visitors:
- R176 per adult
- R88 per child
● Parking: Yes but can be busy
● Toilets: Yes
● Other notes:
- Rock Pools
- Swimming (Indian side - warmer)
- Sun-bathing
Extra Activities:
▶ Penguin watching (please be respectful - they are still wild animals)
▶ Boulders Bites café
▶ Cape Point Nature Reserve "
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Kim Kern
"Ein Klassiker, wenn man das Western Cape besucht. Mein "Geheimtip": geht zum hinteren Eingang (beim ersten Eingang geht es noch einen hölzernen Steg nach hinten), denn dort könnt ihr direkt am Strand mit den Pinguinen sein. Ja, ihr müsst dort über Felsen klettern, am besten ihr zieht eure Schuhe aus und lasst sie am Anfang des Strandes liegen. Achtet darauf, wenn ihr dort hin geht, dass ihr eine Zeit erwischt, in der gerade Ebbe ist! Dann kommt ihr weiter nach hinten und seht noch mehr Pinguine 🐧
Bei Flut werdet ihr nicht so viel Spaß haben 🤭"
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