Simon's Town · Responsible wildlife viewing
Boulders Beach African penguins
Boulders offers unusually close views of endangered African penguins, which makes restraint—not proximity—the measure of a good visit.
Simon's Town, Table Mountain National Park
At a glance
What to know
- The protected section includes beaches, boardwalks and a penguin viewing area
- African penguins are endangered
- Boardwalks protect nesting habitat and visitors
- Penguins can bite and must never be touched or fed
See a colony, not a photo prop
The birds rest, breed, moult and move through a living coastal habitat. Stay on designated paths, keep voices low and never block a penguin's route to the sea or nest.
Allow the birds to dictate the encounter
Numbers and behaviour vary with season, time and natural movement. No responsible guide guarantees a particular pose, crowd size or swimming encounter.
Build it into the False Bay route
Boulders pairs naturally with Simon's Town and Cape Point, but rushing all three can turn the day into traffic and queues. Start early and check current entrance, parking and payment information.
- Remain on the boardwalk in the viewing area
- Do not touch, feed or chase penguins
- Keep food secured
- Use quiet camera settings
- Support conservation rules even when others ignore them
Accommodation planning
Where to base yourself
These are useful stay areas, not paid rankings. Live AfriSawari properties appear only after host verification and marketplace onboarding.
Simon's Town
Closest base for an early, unhurried visit and the southern peninsula.
Kalk Bay
Combines False Bay food and harbour atmosphere with a short transfer south.
Muizenberg
Family-friendly coastal base with road and rail connections depending on current service.
Continue exploring South Africa
Research sources
Editorial facts are checked against these sources. Fees, access rules and schedules can change and should be confirmed before booking.
- Boulders Penguin Colony — South African National Parks
- Table Mountain National Park — South African National Parks