Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
4.5
About
The sheltered inlet of Boulders Beach is located in the Cape peninsula near Simon's Town. Here exists a protected colony of African penguins which can be viewed in their natural habitat via wooden walkways. There is also an excellent beach for swimming nearby.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Julian BGibraltar30 contributionsSee penguins and swim in a beautiful beachWe spent a few hours in the morning here. Get here early to avoid the crowds. It’s worth paying to get into the beach and you can go for a swim in the beautiful beach. You will find lots of penguins scattered around and be able to take photos right next to them. A wonderful location and lovely experience.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 15, 2024
- Susan KNew York City, New York1,224 contributionsYes, there are African Penguins!What an exciting opportunity to see such a large colony of penguins in an unexpected environment/ Boulder Beach. . There are two different viewing paths and both are worth taking. It gets pretty crowded but patience is a virture and you will get tie to enjoy these wonderful creatures. They have a small gift shop but the visit is all about the real penguins.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 29, 2024
- XantiaBristol, United Kingdom58 contributionsIncredible scenery and gorgeous penguinsThe most stunning beach, with the most incredible wildlife! There are not many beaches in the world which have white sand, a bright blue ocean and penguins! This is an absolute must visit when in South Africa. I adore this beach.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 2, 2024
- Rick WSevenoaks, United Kingdom2,359 contributionsPenguins galore!Boulders beach is a delightful spot and a unique one! Where else can you spend an afternoon sunbathing and swimming in the presence of small friendly and amusing African Penguins? We have visited the beach several times over the years and found the water to be pleasantly warm and the Bay sheltered by the boulders which give the beach its name. there is good car parking. In February there were plenty of Penguins to see (probably about 30 in total) but I have seen more on the beach in previous years. The Penguins are completely unfazed by tourists as you can see from my photographs, although if you want to see them you may need to clamber over the boulders and wade through some shallow water in order to get to the locations where most of them are. If you have some swimming shoes this will make it much easier to climb over the boulders. I was somewhat surprised at the entrance fee to the beach which is relatively expensive for non South African residents. However, it does give you access to a boardwalk behind the beach where you can see more of the penguins. We did not bother with that this time because there were enough Penguins on the beach and frankly it was easier to take photographs of them there than from the boardwalk when you are not so close. You could happily spend all day on the beach although it closes at about 5 pm.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- Simon NLondon, United Kingdom190 contributionsPenguins on a beach!As part of driving to the Cape Peninsula, we had to drop by and see the penguins on boulders beach. There is "free" parking nearby which is manned by parking attendants, so once you leave it is courteous to leave them a tip. There is one entrance with the boardwalk where you can get nice views of the penguins on the beach. There are even some penguins that get very close to the walkway. If you walk further along the path, there is another entrance where if you've already paid at the first entrance you are able to enter without paying again. This takes you directly down to the beach area. While we visited there were no penguins there, but I can imagine it being amazing when they do arrive.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 10, 2024
- Danna GPerth, Australia27 contributionsNice Beach with great penguin companyThe place is amazing. Definitely a stop, if the weather is good and the tide is low, an hr or two should be enough. I recommend entering from the Link Beach entrance, not Bolders. Boulders is busy and over crowded with tourist. From Link you can walk to Boulders. If you want pictures with the penguns, to avoid disappointment go in low tide, otherwise it will be challenging to cross the rocks in high tide.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2024
- Regina Ferraz PerussiSao Paulo, SP44 contributionsFamous South African penguin colony beach: take photos and go into the seaThe well-known "South African penguin colony beach" is located in False Bay, east coast of the Cape Peninsula, between Simon's Town and Ponta do Cabo, with crystal clear waters and beautiful landscapes. The place is delicious to enjoy nature. You can even enjoy the beach sunbathing or even venture into the sea. At the exit there are bathrooms with showers. You don't have to pay to see some penguins along the way. We even saw another animal that we couldn't identify, similar to a squirrel. However, if you want to see them better and in greater quantities, you need to pay a ticket for a reserved space with several walkways and places for contemplation. At the end there is a souvenir, drinks and ice cream shop.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 12, 2024
- RichiewoodhouseCramlington, United Kingdom281 contributionslots of penguins and lots of peopleThe beach was very busy and we had to queue twice to get to see the penguins. The lady collecting the money was not that interested but we found the right place after 10-15 minutes. The penguins are cute but we only spent about 30 minutes here. Simon's Town is quite nice though.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2024
- ramblingman46Manchester, United Kingdom89 contributionsNot to be missedI highly recommend visiting the penguins as this is a truly unique experience. You can get extremely close to the penguins without it feeling invasive (some may argue that the very nature of the boardwalk is invasive). The penguins are very entertaining and you can watch them for a quite a while. We got there about 10:30 and left about 11:15, at which point a lot of people were arriving. Around the corner at the next beach some people were swimming and there were penguins in the water around them (I understand the water cannot be reached via Boulders's Beach, which is managed by the government.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 13, 2024
- holger3105Pluederhausen, Germany153 contributionsNice penguin beach, but a bit too high entrance feeA penguin colony worth seeing. The entrance fee is a bit too high for the routes on offer, but we still didn't regret visiting this attraction. It's best to go in the late afternoon, around 4 p.m., when the viewing point near the penguins isn't so crowded and you can take some nice picturesVisited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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AugustoDavico
Turin, Italy2,075 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
It is one of the excursions from Cape Town, a city on the ocean coast famous above all for the natural wonders in the surrounding area.
In about 1 hour by bus you get to this beach which is part of a natural park, where the entrance is rightly paid in order to have funds to look after it and there are many paths that prevent you from getting too close to the South African penguins (smaller of others). It is not the first time we have seen penguins live, but this is a completely different experience compared to seeing them in a zoo, where they are imprisoned in a few square meters.
Here, however, they are free.
A beautiful experience, which I recommend, especially if combined with the Cape of Good Hope
In about 1 hour by bus you get to this beach which is part of a natural park, where the entrance is rightly paid in order to have funds to look after it and there are many paths that prevent you from getting too close to the South African penguins (smaller of others). It is not the first time we have seen penguins live, but this is a completely different experience compared to seeing them in a zoo, where they are imprisoned in a few square meters.
Here, however, they are free.
A beautiful experience, which I recommend, especially if combined with the Cape of Good Hope

Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nflute00
Bristol, UK54 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Headed out here late afternoon from Cape Town, £15-£20 each way in an Uber for a 45-50minute journey. Once there very reasonably priced tickets, and the penguins were incredible - the boardwalk gets you close but not too close, plenty of opportunities to see them swimming, nesting and burrowing. Views of False Bay are stunning. Go later and it was fairly quiet - 20-30 people there, so able to get good photos and avoid the crowds. Easily got an Uber back from the main carpark around 7PM. Felt very respectful to the wildlife.
Written January 28, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kendall K
1,169 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
It was such a beautiful site to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. There were thousands of them all living in harmony and not being bothered by our presence in the area at all.
I believe for non South African residents it cost R215 for visitors which. Is about $11.25 USD. It’s very reasonable for entry fee to the beach and to see the penguins. The public beach is located on the other side of the penguin colony as to not give the wrong impression that you can swim with the penguins.
Would definitely recommend travels from all over to go visit the penguins because it’s worth the time.
I believe for non South African residents it cost R215 for visitors which. Is about $11.25 USD. It’s very reasonable for entry fee to the beach and to see the penguins. The public beach is located on the other side of the penguin colony as to not give the wrong impression that you can swim with the penguins.
Would definitely recommend travels from all over to go visit the penguins because it’s worth the time.
Written January 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChessFalcon
Hong Kong, China64 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
I've visited this beach several times back in the early 1990s (when it was open and free) and again later just before the turn of the century, when a R5 entrance fee was introduced. During all of those visits one was able to walk on the beach and have real encounters with the penguins.
Unfortunately, this place has changed for the worse and is on my NOT recommended list. Our visit there yesterday was extremely disappointing! Not only was the parking area spoiled by ongoing construction works, but one has to walk about 1km from there to get to the entrance where one has to join a long line of international tourists. When eventually getting to the front, we were told that they ONLY accept credit/debit card payments and refused to take cash! We had to rely on a friend in allowing us to use his credit card to make the outrageous payment of R190 for international visitors and R45 for South Africans.
After entering it was extremely disappointing to see that the one can no longer get onto the beach with the penguins, but has to stand on a severely overcrowded viewing deck! The beach area that one can access has no penguins, but is instead packed with smoking beach goers. If you visit the Cape, do not waste your time and money to visit this commercialised area that has devolved into no more than a money making scam!
Unfortunately, this place has changed for the worse and is on my NOT recommended list. Our visit there yesterday was extremely disappointing! Not only was the parking area spoiled by ongoing construction works, but one has to walk about 1km from there to get to the entrance where one has to join a long line of international tourists. When eventually getting to the front, we were told that they ONLY accept credit/debit card payments and refused to take cash! We had to rely on a friend in allowing us to use his credit card to make the outrageous payment of R190 for international visitors and R45 for South Africans.
After entering it was extremely disappointing to see that the one can no longer get onto the beach with the penguins, but has to stand on a severely overcrowded viewing deck! The beach area that one can access has no penguins, but is instead packed with smoking beach goers. If you visit the Cape, do not waste your time and money to visit this commercialised area that has devolved into no more than a money making scam!
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Global Citizen
London, UK192 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
We visited Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town to see the famous African penguins, and while it was a unique experience, I found it a bit underwhelming for the price. To access the beach itself, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee. For our family of four, it came to around R225 each, which felt quite steep for what was offered.
The beach is small and can get very crowded on busy days, making it less relaxing than expected. Parking is free but extremely limited, so you might need to park on nearby side roads where marshals assist with finding spaces.
If you’re just there to watch the penguins, the wooden walkways leading from the Boulders Beach Visitor Centre are a good option. These offer great views of the penguins in their natural habitat, along with some interesting wildlife and educational displays about the species. However, you’re limited to observing from a distance, which may leave some visitors feeling unsatisfied.
For those wanting a closer look, access to the beach itself is required, but be aware that penguins can be aggressive and may bite if approached. It’s worth bringing a camera to capture the sight of these adorable creatures from a safe distance.
Facilities include toilets, and the overall setup is well-maintained. While seeing the penguins was exciting, the cost felt a bit high for the experience. I’d recommend it if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, but temper your expectations if you’re seeking a hands-on or relaxing beach outing.
The beach is small and can get very crowded on busy days, making it less relaxing than expected. Parking is free but extremely limited, so you might need to park on nearby side roads where marshals assist with finding spaces.
If you’re just there to watch the penguins, the wooden walkways leading from the Boulders Beach Visitor Centre are a good option. These offer great views of the penguins in their natural habitat, along with some interesting wildlife and educational displays about the species. However, you’re limited to observing from a distance, which may leave some visitors feeling unsatisfied.
For those wanting a closer look, access to the beach itself is required, but be aware that penguins can be aggressive and may bite if approached. It’s worth bringing a camera to capture the sight of these adorable creatures from a safe distance.
Facilities include toilets, and the overall setup is well-maintained. While seeing the penguins was exciting, the cost felt a bit high for the experience. I’d recommend it if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, but temper your expectations if you’re seeking a hands-on or relaxing beach outing.
Written December 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
derfeineherrdoktor
Germany56 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
Unlike a few years ago, admission is now required. You could talk about that - but 190 Rand per person, children from 12 years old count as adults, makes it unacceptably expensive for a family.
The next “achievement”: you can no longer go to the beach, let alone the water, but only see the penguins from a distance from closed paths. If you look at them: it was so crowded that our children could not get to the front and could see almost nothing. Fortunately, there was another on the way back to the entrance, so it was not entirely in vain.
All in all: lots of money for very little power. We cannot recommend families to go.
The next “achievement”: you can no longer go to the beach, let alone the water, but only see the penguins from a distance from closed paths. If you look at them: it was so crowded that our children could not get to the front and could see almost nothing. Fortunately, there was another on the way back to the entrance, so it was not entirely in vain.
All in all: lots of money for very little power. We cannot recommend families to go.
Automatically translated
Written September 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evaemau
Naples, Italy1,459 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Exciting experience. After buying the ticket directly on the spot about 10 euros, we walked a small road to get to the beach where there were penguins. Along the way, hidden among the scarce vegetation we saw and photographed several. These penguins are very small and we saw them resting on the sand and chasing the waves to dive into the sea. Fantastic.
Automatically translated
Written August 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irma R
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Family
Hello everyone,
On January 6th, I visited Boulders Beach with the excitement of reuniting with my beautiful penguins. However, what my eyes witnessed filled me with anger, disappointment, and horror.
The beach was crowded with people, breaking all the rules of the place. Gazebos invading the beach, picnic tables, people with small rowing boats, children bothering the penguins without supervision, and a crowd following the few penguins on the beach. I saw these adorable animals stumbling among shoes, falling from rocks as they tried to avoid people. What are we doing to our nature?
I saw penguins on a small island, confused and unable to return to their resting place due to the crowd. They couldn't swim without being chased for a photo. I cried witnessing this. Why do we allow this to happen? Why don't we follow the rules? It seems that the interest is purely economic, regardless of the suffering of these poor penguins.
There should be a limit on entries, a guard to enforce the rules, and above all, leave these animals alone. I found plastic bags that I picked up myself, turning what should have been a pleasure for my family and me into the deepest disappointment and sadness.
Please, let's raise our voices so that this does not continue this way. We need to change this for the sake of our nature and these precious penguins!
On January 6th, I visited Boulders Beach with the excitement of reuniting with my beautiful penguins. However, what my eyes witnessed filled me with anger, disappointment, and horror.
The beach was crowded with people, breaking all the rules of the place. Gazebos invading the beach, picnic tables, people with small rowing boats, children bothering the penguins without supervision, and a crowd following the few penguins on the beach. I saw these adorable animals stumbling among shoes, falling from rocks as they tried to avoid people. What are we doing to our nature?
I saw penguins on a small island, confused and unable to return to their resting place due to the crowd. They couldn't swim without being chased for a photo. I cried witnessing this. Why do we allow this to happen? Why don't we follow the rules? It seems that the interest is purely economic, regardless of the suffering of these poor penguins.
There should be a limit on entries, a guard to enforce the rules, and above all, leave these animals alone. I found plastic bags that I picked up myself, turning what should have been a pleasure for my family and me into the deepest disappointment and sadness.
Please, let's raise our voices so that this does not continue this way. We need to change this for the sake of our nature and these precious penguins!
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
freeXspirit
New York City, NY453 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
About an hour from Cape Town, Boulders Beach is truly underwhelming. Penguins are crammed in two sections, and so are the boardwalks with people. I honestly don’t get the hype. If you’re combining this with a Cape Point trip, it may be worth it, but definitely not by itself. The entry fee also seems crazy given that you will really spend all of 10 minutes here. Feels like a zoo of penguins, and also a zoo of humans when you look at the crammed boardwalks. Skip!
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smvNYC
New York City, NY377 contributions
Aug 2023
It is a unique experience to to see the African penguins come and go. When we visited, several pairs had small chicks.
One has to pay a fee and it was annoying to wait in line to do so while large groups were ushered in (I guess they had prepaid). However once inside it did not sem crowded.
One has to pay a fee and it was annoying to wait in line to do so while large groups were ushered in (I guess they had prepaid). However once inside it did not sem crowded.
Written August 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, has anyone got an uber from Cape Town to here and found it easy to get one back please?
Written January 14, 2025
Can I see penguins in August - or is it too late and they are gone?
Written April 23, 2024
They live and breed in the area all year round, so you will be able to see them in August
Written June 23, 2024
How much is an entrance fee to the Boulders Beach?
Written July 24, 2022
R400 pp for tourists. Locals only R100.
Written September 21, 2024
Aseel K
North Hampton, New Hampshire
how many more penguins come to the beach each year?
Written May 30, 2020
Hi, we saw about 700- 1200 but please note that these are small penguins and not the arcitic huge ones.
Written June 1, 2020
I have a client that is in the USA he wants to buy tickets online. Which link can he use ?
Written February 19, 2020
Our tour guide purchased our tickets at the ticket office on arrival - It didn't take long at all so essentially based on our experience there's no necessity to purchase in advance. enjoy your visit !
Written February 24, 2020
Üdvözlöm. Azt szeretnèm megtudni, hogy jutok el a pingvin szigetre fokvàrosbòl a Longmarkerstreet szàllàsomròl?
Written November 16, 2019
I am sorry I am not sure where this is. can you look on google maps
Written December 2, 2019
Yes you can even swim with them on the beach but do not touch them
Written November 12, 2019
Global01063882082
Athens, Greece
Hi
I want 5 tickets for the Penquins at Boulders on 25/12/2019 at 11 am
How do I arrange this please
R
Written September 16, 2019

Rainey
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
You can just purchase on the gate that’s what I did and most people seemed to be doing the same
Written September 30, 2019
Is there a entry ticket required to visit boulders beach? Should I buy it online or can I buy it at the spot?
Written September 10, 2019
Vorrei sapere come posso raggiungere la spiaggia da Città del Capo. Ci sono dei mezzi o dei tour organizzati che posso usare per arrivarci o mi consigliate di noleggiare un’auto? Grazie
Written May 28, 2019
sei molto più libero con macchina a noleggio.. se non ti senti disinvolto con la guida valuta i tour.
ciao
Written August 26, 2019
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