Half day African Penguin Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cape Town, South Africa
- 4 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Animal lovers visiting Cape Town—get ready for a penguin-themed adventure. Ride with ease in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, without having to worry about parking or navigating public transport. After purchasing your entry ticket, you can enjoy plenty of time to walk around and see the colony of endangered African penguins roaming freely in the wild.
- Hassle-free way to get to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony with hotel pickup
- Small-group tour with a maximum of 10 people
- Stay hydrated during your trip: Bottled water is provided
- Enjoy a scenic drive past beaches, mountains, and pretty coastal roads
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Chapman's Peak Tollgate fee
- Fuel surcharge
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees at African Penguins
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Kindly wait for your driver-guide in the hotel lobby or reception 10 minutes at the agreed time.
Itinerary
Bantry Bay (Pass By)
Camps Bay Beach (Pass By)
Hout Bay Beach (Pass By)
Chapman's Peak Drive (Pass By)
Noordhoek Farm Village (Pass By)
1
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Simon's Town (Pass By)
Kalk Bay (Pass By)
Muizenberg Beach (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Mama_L
This is just not about penguins but but a very different part of Capetown that is not always experienced.
Our guide was phenomenal! Extremely friendly, welcoming, patient, knowledgeable and informative. She was made for her position. We visited many places including Boulder Beach and the penguins. It was a perfect day.
I would 100% recommend this tour and especially this particular tour company.
Reviews
4.9
based on 130 reviews
Lorenz_E, Jan 2026
The initial impression and communication of the trip was good and the team offered us the chance to expand the tour to cape of god hope, which was a pleasant surprise. However, they did not tell us that it would mean taking a totally different route with a prebooked group that did not go past the scenic route of chapmans peak.
So we would recommend double checking which route will be taken if you want to see specific sites along the way and not just the penguins.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hi Lorenzo
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback — we truly appreciate your honest and thoughtful review.
We’re glad to hear that your initial impression and communication with our team were positive, and that the opportunity to extend the tour to the Cape of Good Hope was a pleasant surprise. We would also like to clarify a few points for transparency and understanding. Before extending the tour, our team did ask if you were happy to proceed with the change, and you agreed without hesitation. Additionally, the guide did inform the group during the tour that the route was being adjusted slightly due to afternoon traffic conditions.
Chapman’s Peak Drive is normally included at the end of the tour, and the intention was still to do it later in the day. However, traffic and logistical constraints can sometimes require route adjustments to ensure the overall experience runs smoothly and guests still see the key highlights of the region.
That said, we truly appreciate your suggestion about double-checking routes in advance, especially for guests who have specific scenic routes they are hoping to experience. Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve our communication and clarity for future guests.
Thank you again for touring with us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another experience in the future — ideally one that includes all your must-see routes and sights
Kevin_B, Dec 2025
Our guide, Latisha, did a great job communicating prior to our hotel pick up. The van was large and comfortable and durning the tour, Latisha gave an on going narration of the sites we were passing and facts about South Africa. It was obvious that Latisha was passionate about her country. At each stop we had ample time and Latisha was always right where she she was to met us. Latisha was very accomidating and went beyond to make us feel welcome. Since we were the only ones on our tour, Latisha dropped us off at the V&A Warf rather than our hotel so we could visit that and she made an excellent recommendation for where to eat.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hi Kevin
I’m delighted to hear that your experience was smooth and enjoyable from the very beginning. Clear communication and a comfortable ride can make such a difference, and I’m glad you felt well taken care of throughout the tour. It’s always a pleasure to share the history, culture, and beauty of South Africa — your kind words about my passion truly mean a lot.
I’m happy you had plenty of time at each stop and that everything felt relaxed and well-organized. Since it was just the two of you, it was a pleasure to personalise the experience, including dropping you off at the V&A Waterfront and recommending a great spot to eat — I’m thrilled you appreciated that extra touch!
Thank you again for choosing the tour and for taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback. I hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure in Cape Town! 🇿🇦✨
Cynde_T, Dec 2025
Enjoyed the Penguins at Bolder beach. Chapmans Peak was stunning. Bonus village type stops along the way. Our tour guide was enthusiastic and informative. Recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hi Cynde
Thank you so much for your review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the penguins at Boulders Beach, the stunning views along Chapman’s Peak, and the charming village stops throughout the tour. It’s great to know that your guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge helped make the experience even more memorable.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
RUTH_N, Oct 2025
It was an amazing experience… despite the windy day. Leticia was an amazing guide and very entertaining. I love the fact that she was punctual and really loved telling tales of how the local Capetownians think the cities were named. It was an experience we will not forgot.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Ruth
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience despite the windy weather. Leticia will be thrilled to know that her stories and warm personality made your day so memorable. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable Cape Town adventure soon!
Denise_S, Aug 2025
Visiting Boulders Beach in South Africa was an amazing experience. The scenery is stunning, the water is beautiful, and seeing the penguins so close was unforgettable. I truly loved the visit and would highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Denise
We are Delighted to know you had an Amazing experience visiting Boulders Beach. Thank you so much for the Heartfelt review. Enjoy all your future travels and we will be thrilled to assist you next time
Mama_L, Jul 2025
This is just not about penguins but but a very different part of Capetown that is not always experienced.
Our guide was phenomenal! Extremely friendly, welcoming, patient, knowledgeable and informative. She was made for her position. We visited many places including Boulder Beach and the penguins. It was a perfect day.
I would 100% recommend this tour and especially this particular tour company.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Valued Guest
Thank you so much for the kind review. We value your input, and it helps us maintain an excellent standard of service to our guest. Enjoy all your future travels and we will be thrilled to assist upon your return.
JoAnn_R, May 2025
We enjoyed Leticia and her complete tour if the beach towns and penguin preserve. We were able to walk along the paths and see the penguins within a foot of us! It was a terrific morning with a great guide
Response from Host, May 2025
Hi JoAnn
We are Ecstatic to know you enjoyed your half day tour with Leticia as your guide. Thank you for rating us on Tripadvisor. Enjoy all your future travels and we hope to welcome you back soon
Terry_S, Feb 2025
I booked this tour only 4 hours before as I was unsure of my flights. They were so responsive and got me on the tour. Picked me up and it was amazing. I saw so much in such a short time. The penguins are a must see. The drive was beautiful and I even saw a baboon strolling on the sidewalk in Simons Town 😃! Great tour and awesome communication on the tour company’s part. Thanks for a terrific day!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hi Terry
We are thrilled to know you had a terrific day seeing the penguins. Thank you so much for the kind review. Enjoy all your future travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon.
Allisonbard, Nov 2024
The penguins and views did not disappoint but the so called guide did not provide much insight or enthusiasm.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Hi Allison
Thank you so much for your honest feedback. We humbly apologize for poor service given by our guide.
Travel safe ...
sheri_v, Nov 2024
Rameez was a great tour guide and driver. Had an absolutely amazing time at Boulder Beach viewing the penguins. Saw nice spots around Cape Town and had lunch at the oldest fish and chips spot. Great day.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Hi Sheri
We are Elated to know you had an Amazing time with Rameez. Thank you for choosing to travel with us. Safe travels and we hope to welcome you back soon
Sofia_K, Sep 2024
Laeticia was great! She introduced me to the South African culture and talked about many interesting topics along the way .
I would totally recommend it.
I found a bit pricy though for a half day tour !
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Sofia
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us on TripAdvisor. We are Happy to know you got Value for Money!
Travel safe and we will be happy to be of assistance to you next time
Joao_D, Sep 2024
Wonderful experience!!! Incredible landscapes and breathtaking locations.
The tour has two parts, the first - to Boulder's Beach, is mainly coastal and seaside locations, with incredible beaches to see and make you want to come back. The second part is the way back, on the opposite side of Table Mountain. It is also remarkable and unforgettable. It's a mandatory tour!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Joao
We are Elated to know you had a Wonderful Experience on your halfday tour to the penguins. We value your input, and it helps us maintain an excellent standard of service to our guest. Travel safe, and we will be thrilled to assist on your next adventure to Caoe Town
Jacqueline_P, Feb 2024
We were met by Leticia who was our driver and guide for the trip. She has a great personality and made our time most enjoyable, telling us all about life in Cape Town and the places we visited. We travelled with 4 American tourists in a very comfortable people carrier. We loved the penguins and were so close to them on the boardwalk. A great afternoon.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Goodday Jacqueline
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us on TripAdvisor. We are immensely satisfied knowing you had an enjoyable time while visiting the penguins. Enjoy all your future travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon
LINDA_S, Feb 2024
Leticia, our guide, provided a memorable half day tour of Cape Town & surroundings on our way to Boulders Beach to see the penguins 🐧She sang the RSA national anthem while pointing out historic places during the drive. Frequent stops to stretch our legs, buy snacks & bio breaks.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hi Linda
We are Elated to know you had a Memorable halfday Penguin tour with Leticia. Thank you for choosing to travel with us. Safe travels , and we will be hope to welcome you back soon
Carmen_S, Jan 2024
Our driver Johnny was a fantastic tour guide. What we loved about him is that he was born and raised Cape Town so he knew so much about the city’s culture and history. We learned a lot! He was also kind enough to drop us off at our Airbnb after the tour. The only part that was disappointing was the mode of transport - we were expecting an air conditioned van or larger vehicle with but instead, it was a Toyota Etios with the windows rolled down. We also weren’t ever offered any water for the entire tour. We felt a bit ripped off considering the amount of money that we paid. When I voiced my disappointment about the car to the tour company, I was told that a smaller car was chosen for us because it was only the two of us (my fiancé and I) on the tour. I would definitely recommend this tour as we loved Johnny but just be mindful that the mode of transport might not be exactly what you expect.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Goodday
We are Happy to know you learned alot from Johnny. Your input is highly valued, and helps us maintain an excellent standard of service to our guest.
Travel safe and we will be thrilled to assist whenever called upon again
Howard_E, Jan 2024
Half day was filled with more than the penguins. There were other stops and a lot of information about the sights along the way
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Howard
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us in TripAdvisor. We are Ecstatic to know that the halfday was filled with much more than the Penguins. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon
Maite_B, Dec 2023
I had a fantastic time; this half-day tour is excellent if you need to travel during the day but still have a couple of hours to visit.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi Maite
Thank you so much for the kind review. We are Happy to know you had a Fantastic time on this halfday tour. Travel safe and we will be thrilled to assist whenever called upon
thomas_m, Jun 2023
Amazing tour with Doney who went above and beyond to give us a great experience. Would highly recommend this guide with extensive knowledge of South Africa.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Goodday Thomas
We are Ecstatic to know you had an Amazing tour with Doney as your guide. Thank you so much for the kind review and recommending us to future potential guest. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon
Anne_V, May 2023
This tour is a great way to spend a half day exploring the area. Wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide, communicative tour company.
Response from Host, May 2023
Hi Anne
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us on TripAdvisor. We are Delighted to know you had a Great halfday tour. Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back soon
wanda_T, Mar 2023
Special treatment from door to door from our driver Rameez. He is awesome. Thank you for sharing him with us. He took us to coffee shop before special penquin tour, then helped us up and over the rocks so we could experience the natural habitat of natures tuxedo dressed penguins. He even reported and documented an animal in distress for the ranger to take care of. After our tour, we all had ice cream and Rameez got us to our next destination with time to spare.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Goodday Wanda
We are Happy to know that you got special treatment from door to door with Rameez. Thank you for rating us on TripAdvisor..Enjoy your future travels and we hope to welcome you back soon
Gaye_G, Mar 2023
I booked this particular tour because I wanted to see the penguins at Boulders Beach, but we saw so much more! We took the scenic route around Capetown and saw Chapman's Peak, we drove past Table Mountain and ended the tour in Bo Kaap. Definitely worth the money.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Dear Valued Guest
We are Happy to know that you saw so much more than just the Penguins. You input is Valued and helps us maintain an Excellent standard of Customer service.
Enjoy your future travels and we hope to welcome you back soon
felicity_b, Feb 2023
I enjoyed the whole trip, it was informative and fun! The guide was lovely and went out of her way to make sure I had a great experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hi Felicity
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us on TripAdvisor. We are delighted to know you enjoyed the whole trip.
Enjoy your future travels and we hope to welcome you back soon!
linkab4, Jan 2023
We changed to the full day tour, which we was changed with no issues. A nice small group was great. Our host took us from Cape Town to the penguins *which we loved and then to the southwestern most part of Africa.
Everything was wonderful! Make sure that you are aware that it's extra entry fee for the penguins and another additional fee for the south point. She also took us to the boat ride to see Seal Island, which was another additional fee.
Since the tour took all day long we stopped for lunch - which was amazing Souk fish, but when the bill came our tour guide sort of stepped back (so we paid for her food), but resulted in a slightly smaller tip then.
I highly recommend the tour and our guide was TREMENDOUS in her knowledge!!! She seriously talked about the area from the time she picked us up at our hotel to the point where she dropped us off.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Dear Valued Guest
We are Happy to know that you had a wonderful time with you guide. Thank you for rating us on TripAdvisor. Enjoy your future travels
RonaldA_S, Jan 2023
Scenery was beautiful. Talking with our driver was the best. He arrived on time and answered every question we asked.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Dear Ronald
We are Delighted to know that you enjoyed talking to the driver. Thank you for rating us on TripAdvisor.
Enjoy your future travels
Kate_T, Jan 2023
Jeremy was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the area. The mini bus was comfortable and again Jeremy kept ensuring everyone was cool enough
Seeing the penguins up close was a magical experience that we will never forget
After the penguins we stopped at a farm village where again Jeremy recommended the best coffee and ice cream. Finally we drove along Chapmans Peak and stopped at a couple of view points again which were perfect and Jeremy told us exactly what we could see.
It was a real shame when the tour came to an end
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hi Kate
Thank you for taking your precious time and rating us on TripAdvisor. We are Happy to know that Jeremy took good care of you.
Enjoy your future travels
Leslie_L, Oct 2022
We had an excellent tour with Glorious Cape tours, hosted by Leticia. She was very professional, knowledgeable about historical aspects of South Africa, had cultural insights, and was absolutely lovely. We highly recommend this tour with Leticia!
Response from Host, Oct 2022
Goodday
We are Delighted to know you had an Excellent tour withone of our Best guides, Leticia. Thank you for Rating us on TripAdvisor and recommending us to future potential guest.
Enjoy your future travels
Tiffany_K, Sep 2022
Leticia was our guide, and she was incredible. We learned so much about Cape Town, and of course loved seeing the penguins. She communicated with us each step of the way, and was very pleasant. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Goodday Tiffany
We are delighted to know you had an Incredible time with Leticia as your guide. Our Aim is to make sure our Guest have a Pleasant time, while being on tour. Thank you for Rating us on TripAdvisor and recommending us to future potential guest.
Enjoy your future travels
Thomas_Y, Sep 2022
Our first day in Cape Town what a super way to start our holiday. Sandra was amazing, drove us through this picturesque country side. Thoroughly enjoyed our stop at Cape of Good Hope before heading to Boulders to see the penguins. Highly recommend this tour. If you get Sandra then you're going to enjoy this time even more!
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hi Thomas
We are totally Astonished to know you started your holiday on a Super Note with Sandra. Thank you for Rating us on TripAdvisor and recommending us to future potential guest. Enjoy your future travels
Sue_R, Sep 2022
We were met at our hotel by Leticia a lovely young woman who was bubbly and knowledgeable. She drove us to the penguin colony giving us detailed history of Cape Town along the way. We passed some lovely villages and towns en route stopping for a coffee and photos at a beautiful beach. The penguin colony was lovely lots of cute penguins to see . On the drive back we took in more scenery and once again she provided history of the area . Overall a great morning out. I would highly recommend this tour .
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Goodday Sue
Thank you for recommending us to future potential guest. We are Ecstatic to know you have learned so much about the Penguin Colony and places around Cape Town.
Enjoy your future travels
Danielle_L, Sep 2022
We booked this as a last minute trip whilst we were in Cape Town because we really wanted to see the African Penguins at Boulders Beach and luckily Letitia was available.
We got so much more than we could ever have wished for - not only did we see the penguins at Boulders Beach but we visited Bo Kaap with the colourful houses and we stopped at numerous other places along the way which all had exceptional views.
Letitia was super friendly and knowledgable about every place we visited and she didn’t mind taking photos of us at every stop!
We are so glad we booked this trip!
Danielle and Dave - September 2022.
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Hi Danielle
We are Happy to know you got so much more than what you had wished for. Leticia is one of our Best Guides, and we are glad you had a Great Experience with her. Thank you for Rating us on TripAdvisor. Enjoy your future travels
From $15.66
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Half day African Penguin Tour
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