Penguin Encounter Boulders Beach Half Tour Day from Cape Town
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cape Town, South Africa
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Boulders Beach is known for being home to a colony of African penguins, and this whistle-stop half-day tour is the perfect way to reach them. Instead of waiting for local buses, enjoy a reliable transport service with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Along the way, ride along one of the world’s most scenic coastal rides—Chapman’s Peak Drive, and have free time to explore Boulders Beach independently.
- Get to Boulders Beach with ease: Door-to-door transfers are included
- Rare opportunity to see an endangered African penguin colony
- Great for time-tight travelers: Visit Boulders Beach in half a day
- Experience spectacular views as you travel along Chapman’s Peak Drive
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop off, air-conditioned vehicle
- Toll fees at Chapman’s Peak drive
- Bottled water on board the vehicle
- Restaurant meals and drink
- Tips/ Gratuities (optional)
- Entrance to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony (215 ZAR per adult, 105 ZAR per child)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Please wait in your hotel lobby or at the front of your apartment building in Cape Town
Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
1
Maiden's Cove Braai Area
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Chapman's Peak Drive
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
4
Boyes Drive
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 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
Linda_M
Excellent experience with a great tour guide. Isra was very knowledgeable, kind and respectful tour guide. We traveled as a family and he was very sensitive to our children’s needs. I highly recommend him as a tour guide. He was patient and provided us with a great historical overview while also
Giving us time to spend alone as a family.
Reviews
4.9
based on 289 reviews
Jane_K, Mar 2026
Brilliant time with Coco (guide) and Enoch (driver). Both a lot of fun and very informative. We got almost 2hrs at Boulders Beach - time to do both walkways and the beach itself. Only one penguin on the beach and surrounded by people so we left them alone. Chapmans Peak drive back panoramic with a couple of photo stops. We got off the mini bus early in Camps Bay and went to the Codfather for lunch - thank you for the recommendation Coco! It was excellent. Thoroughly recommend this trip.
Richard_H, Jan 2026
Incredible tour for anyone who loves panoramic views and penguins 🐧 Well guided and fits all into a morning with so much to see esp all the penguins along Boulders Beach it's a great walk and good time allocated to see everything. Even better, we travelled with my mother in law in a wheelchair at the time and everything was brilliantly accessible and the guide ensured the Boulders Beach crew had a chair waiting to use the great paths all the way through the site to ensure she could see all the sights too
andrew_b, Jan 2026
Wonderful to see the penguins as such close quarters (albeit from a fenced path) in their strange (hot beach) natural habit . Charming . The guide Coco was fabulous with lots of local and historical knowledge . A very safe drive so thanks for the comfort . The venue other than the penguins is perhaps a little underwhelming re facilities but no fault of the tour company . Nice viewing stops on the way .
Cynthia_G, Dec 2025
Coco was the most marvelous tour guide and made our trip extra special. She gave such nice historical background and made a half day trip feel like a full day!
Patwiltshire48, Dec 2025
Our guide contacted us the night before and the morning of our trip.Bizo was on time for our pick up and gave us so much interesting information during our trip.The amount of time spent at each part was perfect.
Shelby_T, Dec 2025
We had a great experience on this tour, our tour guide Bizo was very friendly and knowledgeable, all the facts he shared with us were very interesting and delivered well. The best part of the tour for me was seeing the penguins, we came at the perfect time of day around 9.30am there was very little people there so it was great to have some freedom to view the penguins without the crowds. I really enjoyed the format of this tour of just slowing down in the bus to view some stops and then getting out to view for 15 mins - 30 mins, I felt we had the perfect amount of time at each stop, sometimes tour guides can leave you for far too long at some stops and it is not needed. It was also a nice number of people in the group and Bizo is a good driver, I felt very safe with him. We were back at our hotel for 1.30pm and had the rest of the day to ourselves so it is a great tour for time conscious travellers. I had originally just booked this tour to see the penguins but you see and find out a lot about Cape Town and the peninsula which I wasn’t expecting it was very interesting and I am so glad we decided to do this tour. Thanks to Bizo
Barbara_M, Nov 2025
Even though it was really high winds that day it was a great 3xperience and our guide was really informative
Brandon_F, Nov 2025
Best tour ever and Yves was phenomenal. We had plenty of time to explore on our own and even got to swim with penguins!
Robbin_L, Nov 2025
Lovely way to spend time in the Cape Town area. We were picked up by Bizo and headed to Boulder Beach which was stunning. The penguins were so adorable and beach was breathtaking yet be aware of the very cold water temps! We headed to a few more stops: taking in stunning views and learning about townships in the Cape Town area!
Susan_G, Oct 2025
Loved my visit to Boulders Beach; especially taking the very scenic Chapman’s Pass Drive. Early start to half day trip is great as means you get to Boulders Beach before it gets really busy. The two hours there gave plenty time to see the penguins, dip toes in water at Boulders Beach and visit the gift shop.
Communication was fantastic: received WhatsApp messages the day before confirming pick up time and name of tour guide. Tour guide messaged in the morning as well. Felt in very safe hands with Guyon, our guide. Polite and knowledgeable.
Would definitely recommend.
Tom_B, Oct 2025
Brilliant half day trip, felt like we got to take in a lot and still had almost of the day left. We got to the penguins nice and early before the crowds so got some brilliant pictures, and then had a really informative drive along the amazing Chapmans peak. I cannot recommend our guide Yves (eve) enough - he was brilliant, and if you get him you’re guaranteed to have a cracking day.
Jeremie_D, Sep 2025
Excellent tour, scenic drive with photo stops, plenty of time with the penguins and arrived early before the crowds. Would recommend.
Reed_W, Sep 2025
Pick up and drop off was right on time and right in front of our apartment. Patrick, our driver, was friendly and informative and communicated clearly the plan for the day and everything we needed to know. We felt lucky to have him and enjoyed knowing that we didn't have to worry about anything while on the trip with him. Boulders and Foxy beach were fantastic, a must-see!
Lucy_W, Sep 2025
We loved this trip with Patrick! He was so professional and relaxed and the group was so informative. Would really recommend
Paul_B, Sep 2025
Great half day trip, we chose to stay at Boulders Beach to see the penguins but there is an option to add the Cape. Our guide, Bizo, was amazing, friendly, very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. The route was fabulous, seeing both the west and east coast, the views are to die for.
Ernest_B, Sep 2025
Beautiful views and knowledgeable driver!
It you want great pictures and an opportunity to learn more about local culture this is for you!
Alexander_T, Sep 2025
Perfect overview and time with penguins. Isra was our guide and did a great job pointing out facts/sights and meeting us on time.
Luyanda_S, Aug 2025
Nairobi National Park half-day tour was an absolute delight. I have been on many safari’s but Francis made this experience unique and enjoyable by being so flexible and accommodating. Highly recommend
James_H, Jul 2025
As soon as I knew my cruise ship was going to be late.
I contacted the company for a rescheduling,
but they did not get back to me, and took my money with no refund.
I won’t recommend this company.
Shane_G, May 2025
Although it was a little hard to find our departure point and guide, the tour was great! Chris was great to us! He was knowledgeable and flexible. He drove us back to our hotel after our long trip to the departure point which was great and gave us great insight and where to see the penguins the best.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Shane! We’re happy to hear Chris made your experience smooth and insightful — and that you got back comfortably. We appreciate your feedback!
Linda_M, May 2025
Excellent experience with a great tour guide. Isra was very knowledgeable, kind and respectful tour guide. We traveled as a family and he was very sensitive to our children’s needs. I highly recommend him as a tour guide. He was patient and provided us with a great historical overview while also
Giving us time to spend alone as a family.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're glad Isra made your family feel comfortable and provided a thoughtful, educational experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Luis_D, May 2025
Excellent tour guide. Not only did we get to experience the tour but got in depth history knowledge from the tour guide about the beautiful country. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Luis! We're happy you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the in-depth historical insights. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’re grateful for the recommendation!
Elizabeth_F, Apr 2025
A pleasant short walk along well maintained walkways to visit the penguins. There is viewing on all sides and at a terminal point of the walkway which overlooks the beach. Well worth a half day visit.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Elizabeth! We’re glad you enjoyed the peaceful walkways and penguin viewing. It’s truly a special place — we appreciate the kind review!
Natalie_N, Mar 2025
Fabulous tour with Yves and Van to the Penguins and with additional historical commentary and photo stops. Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Natalie! We’re happy you enjoyed the experience with Yves, the scenic stops, and commentary. Thank you for recommending us!
JoAnna_M, Mar 2025
Yves was an excellent tour guide ! Wonderful tour around Cape Town, penguins, Simon Town and Chapman road.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, JoAnna! We're glad you had a great time with Yves exploring Cape Town and the penguins. Your review is much appreciated!
Joy_B, Mar 2025
This was an awesome tour. Our tour guide name was Yves and he was great. His personality was awesome and he was very informative. We got to see some beautiful areas and the penguins was a delight to see. The beach was beautiful and the penguins are right in the water between the boulders. You can get up close to them but don’t touch the penguins. I would definitely do this again.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you, Joy! We’re so glad Yves made the experience fun and informative. The penguins and scenic stops truly are special — we appreciate your lovely feedback!
Ian_R, Feb 2025
This tour was well organised, nice transport informative representative and great value for money half day
Sarah_S, Feb 2025
Amazing experience which we loved. A short stop at Muizenbrug. Then onto Boulders Bay to se the penguins. They are so cute. You do get up close and personal. A lovely broad walk to them
Mary_B, Jan 2025
This was a wonderful half day tour where we visited the Penguin colony in Boulders Bay. On the journey we stopped in some beautiful spots to take advantage of the amazing scenery and learn lots about South Africa from our very helpful and knowledge guide Yves.
Jeanne_F, Jan 2025
Great penguin excursion but didn't realized we could of had time to swim at Bouders Beach. The Penguins were very cute and very playful. The sanctuary is well preserved and easy to see the activities from the raised boardwalk. Fun for all ages and handicapped accessible.
From $37.47
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Penguin Encounter Boulders Beach Half Tour Day from Cape Town
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