Boulders in Cape Town

Boulders is a popular beach near Simon's Town, Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. There are larger and more scenic beaches around, as Boulders, which gets its name from the large boulders surrounding it, is fairly small. From the beach one has views over False Bay. It is world famous for its colony of African penguins / Jackass penguins.

The first penguins came to Foxy Beach only two decades ago and their number increased to more than 3000, because penguins from the surrounding islands immigrated to the beach. Although they attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, they can be a menace to the local inhabitants. The penguins do not stick to their beach, but like to go on safari, and can occasionally be found in neighbouring gardens and houses. A fence has been erected, but they still seem to find holes.

The penguins are seen without paying any fees, but the penguin's private beach is managed by Table Mountain National Parks and an entry fee R30 per person is charged. Alternatively, entry for those with Wild Cards is free. Boulders Beach is to enjoy a relaxed time, swimming together with penguins the only place in the world, where you can do that or walk further on and you will get to a spotting place, where you will be able to see most of the penguins from a small distance.

Going to beach is an adventure especially in summer, when it is warm and when you will share most of your time with penguins in water. You can also climb around to get to a less crowded part of the beach. Dont try to catch or touch the penguins. They are already distracted from their natural way of life by tourists and they can easily bite off a finger. Going to the beach means getting up early, because only a limited number of people are allowed onto the beach and it can be full by 10 or 11am.

Though you will see penguins here all year round you will see less during September to October as it is their time out at sea feeding up for moulting season. Moulting season is from November to December. In January adults will spend a lot of time out at sea again, feeding up for breeding season between February and August.
Driving by car, Boulders is a popular stop on the way back from Cape Point if you have limited time. It's possible to do a circular route, driving past Boulders on the east coast, and along the west coast of the peninsula in the reverse direction. The easiest route is to drive south on M3 De Waal Drive from Cape Town. At the end of highway, turns left, and about 500m on, turn right onto M4 Main Road along east coast of the Cape Peninsula. After passing through Simons Town turn left down Bellevue Road opposite the Country Club you will see a brown sign directing you to the parking lot at the end of the road. The road is quite narrow and there is danger of accidents when going out again. The penguins here have adapted to the constant flow of humans coming to see them, so they certainly won't make way.

A more scenic alternative is to take the M3 south from Cape Town. At the end of the highway, turn right, and about 800m on through one traffic light, turn left onto Ou Kaapse Weg. Cross the scenic mountain pass you can stop for a view at the top, turning off at the Silvermine sign. On the other side, continue straight, through two traffic lights. You'll cross Black Hill, a smaller mountain pass, with views of the Indian Ocean. You descend and reach the coast road.

Take MetroRail suburban train from Cape Town to Simons Town. The station at Simons Town is about 3 kilometres from Boulders Beach; you can walk there by the Main Road southwards until you get to Bellevue Road or take a Rikis taxi from the station.