Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is located in Simonstown in the Western Cape. It is approximately fifty minutes away from Cape Town. Here is a guide on how to get there, how much it costs and what to expect on your trip to Boulders.

About

Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African Penguins (also known as Jackass Penguins). The penguins are a thriving land-based colony and have grown to approximately two thousand two hundred. This is one of only a few colonies that remain worldwide and as a result is a popular tourist destination.

The Boulders Beach forms part of the Table Mountain National Park and is therefore a South African National Park.

These penguins have been placed on the endangered list as their numbers have been decreasing yearly.

How to Get There

Boulder’s Beach is situated approximately forty kilometres away from the Cape Town City Centre. It is a fairly straightforward journey taking about fifty minutes to arrive in Simonstown. The easiest option will be to take the M3 to get to Boulders Beach.

Boulders Beach Entrance Fee

A daily conservancy fee is payable for entrance into the park which can be purchased from the entrance office.

Daily Fee:

South African Citizens and Residents R40 per adult, per day, R20 per child, per day

SADC Nationals R85 per adult, per day, R42 per child, per day

International Visitors R170 per adult, per day, R85 per child, per day

Please note that South African citizens and residents must show proof of their identity in order to qualify for the discounted rate whilst SADC Nationals can use their passports as proof. Also, adult rates apply to persons 12 years or older.

Activities

This park consists of three beaches, one penguin viewing area and three boardwalks. The boardwalks were created to allow for the viewing of the penguins whilst ensuring that the penguins remain safe. As a result, it is imperative that you do not deviate from the boardwalk at any time.

The beach is ideal for children to get a closer look at the penguins however please take precautions as penguins beaks are as sharp as razors and when threatened will attack. At the beach, the cove is sheltered from currents and wind because of the big boulders surrounding it.

In addition to the viewing of the penguins, which will be the first activity, other things which you can do include swimming at the beach, picnics on the beach and enjoying a lovely meal at the restaurants in the nearby vicinity. The kids are able to explore the rock pools and climb over the rocks.

And if you want to learn about more about the African Penguins, you can stop by at the Visitors Centre where you can get loads of information and have all your questions answered about these beautiful animals.

Opening Times

Monday – Sunday: 07:00 am – 17:00 pm

Contact Details

  • Address: Boulders Beach, Kleintuin Rd, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995
  • Tel: 021 786 2329

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *

If you enjoyed this, check out the previous post on 8 Things to Do on your First Trip in Cape Town

Looking for more inspiration, check out the South Africa page which has other posts on things that you can do in this dynamic country.

Liked What You Read, Pin It Below!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *