Boulders Beach Tours and Tickets

Boulders Beach is famous for its colony of African penguins, which settled on the beach in the 1980s and has been there ever since. Visitors flock to see these adorable creatures up close in their natural habitat, making Boulders Beach a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and families alike.

The easiest way to get to Boulders Beach from Cape Town city center is to drive or get a taxi—the journey takes around 45–60 minutes, and you can follow a scenic route into Simon’s Town. Alternatively, you could get a train to Simon’s Town via Fish Hoek, then get a bus or taxi.

Yes, many travelers choose to go on a guided tour to Boulders Beach. These tours typically start in Cape Town and include transportation to the beach. As well as offering the chance to see the penguins, many tours fit in other local highlights, such as Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

The best time of day to visit Boulders Beach is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as near to closing time as possible. During these times, the crowds are smaller and the penguins are most active, so you have a better chance of taking great photos.

Yes, visitors are required to keep their distance and to not touch or feed the penguins. This message should be particularly enforced to children as the penguins have razor-sharp beaks. It’s also recommended to stay on the boardwalk and not get too close to the animals.

Yes, there are restrooms available at Boulders Beach, as well as outdoor showers in case you decide to take a swim. While there are no cafés directly on the beach near the penguins, there are restaurants close by such as the appropriately-named The Peckish Penguin and Seaforth Restaurant.