You might have heard, or maybe not, about a beach where penguins live along the shore, granite rocks protect the beach from strong ocean waves, and visitors get to enjoy both the sea and wildlife in one place.
This is Boulders Beach, located in Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. The beach is well known for its African penguin colony.
Most visitors to Cape Town know about the penguins. What they do not always know is that there are two separate access points: one is better for viewing while the other is better for swimming, that the colony can look different depending on the tide, and that one of the boardwalks often gives you a better view. In this guide, you will learn more about Boulders Beach, the penguins, the different areas to visit, and what to expect during your visit.
Key Information
Key Information | Quick Answer |
Location | Simon's Town, False Bay coast, Cape Peninsula |
Entry | R245 per international adult, R120 per child (cashless only) |
Opening Hours | Winter (Apr to Sep): 8am to 5pm. Dec to Jan: 7am to 7:30pm. Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov: 8am to 6:30pm. |
Best Time | Early morning (before 10am) for fewer crowds and better light |
Visit Duration | 60 to 90 minutes for a standard visit |
Distance from Cape Town | Approximately 40km, about 45 minutes to 1 hour by car |
Best For | Penguin viewing, swimming among the boulders, photography |
How Do You Get to Boulders Beach?
It is convenient to reach this beach due to the robust connectivity of roads and trains. About these transportation options, you will know more below.
Self-drive
It is the most flexible option. Take the M3 or M5 to Muizenberg, then follow the M4 (Main Road) through Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek to Simon's Town. Self-driving lets you move through scenic views of the False Bay coast.
Taxi or ride-hailing
Uber is available in Cape Town. It will take a one-way fare from the city centre to Boulders Beach; it might cost approximately R350 to R500 depending on the time of day.
Train
The Metrorail Southern Line connects Cape Town to Simon's Town. Once you reach Simon's Town, the coastal beach is about a 3 km walk from the station. You can take Taxi too, but its recommended to check the current service reliability before relying on this option.
Best option
Self-drive or a guided Cape Peninsula day tour. Both give you the flexibility to combine Boulders Beach with Cape Point and Simon's Town without being dependent on return transport.
Traffic
Allow extra time on weekends and during the December to February peak season. The single-lane stretches through Kalk Bay can slow down considerably.
Travel time from Cape Town:
45 minutes to 1 hour in normal traffic. Longer on summer weekends
Boulders Beach vs Foxy Beach: Which One Should You Visit?
The names confuse most first-time visitors. Both sit within the same SANParks-managed area and are covered by one ticket, but they serve different purposes and have separate access points.
Feature | Boulders Beach | Foxy Beach |
Main purpose | Swimming and beach time among the boulders | Penguin viewing from elevated boardwalks |
Swimming | Yes. Sheltered cove with calm water, penguins nearby | No swimming |
Penguin viewing | Penguins visible on the beach and in the water, but at a distance | Close-up views from raised boardwalks directly above nesting areas |
Visitor experience | Beach feel with granite boulders, calmer, fewer visitors | Boardwalk walkthrough, more structured, better for photography |
Access | Enter via Bellevue Road | Enter via Seaforth Road and Kleintuin Road (visitor centre) |
One SANParks ticket covers both access points. You can visit both on the same day.
What Should You Expect When You Arrive at Boulders Beach?
The arrival process is straightforward once you know the layout.
- Parking: Small car parks at both access points. The Seaforth Road side (Boulders Beach) tends to fill first during peak hours. Parking is approximately R40 per vehicle
- Entrance: Ticket offices at both the Seaforth Road and Bellevue Road gates. Payment is cashless only. Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted. No cash under any circumstances
- Ticket queue: Short on weekday mornings. Can build during peak season weekends (December to February), especially between 10 am and 2 pm
- Walking distance: From the Seaforth Road entrance to the main Foxy Beach boardwalk viewing area is a short, flat walk of about 5 minutes. From the Bellevue Road entrance to the beach is similar
- Boardwalks: Wooden boardwalks at Foxy Beach are well maintained and easy to follow. They run above the nesting areas, giving elevated views over the penguin colony without disturbing the birds
Tribe Travel Tip: Visit between 8 am and 10 am on a weekday morning for the quietest experience and the best light for photographs.
What Will You See at the Boulders Penguin Colony?
The colony holds roughly 2,500 African penguins at Boulders Beach, and they are visible year-round. What you see depends partly on the time of year and partly on the time of day.
What You May See | What to Expect |
Adult penguins | Present year-round. Often standing on rocks, waddling between boulders or preening in groups |
Nests | Visible from the Foxy Beach boardwalks. Penguins nest under bushes, between rocks and sometimes in artificial nest boxes provided by conservation teams |
Chicks | Best seen February to August (breeding season). Fluffy, grey-brown and noticeably smaller than adults |
Penguins in the water | Common in the morning. They swim, fish and bob just off the beach. You may see them while swimming at the Boulders Beach side |
Penguins on land | More visible in the cooler hours. Midday heat drives many penguins into the shade or water |
Colony behaviour | Calling, waddling, squabbling over nesting spots. The colony is active and noisy, especially during breeding season |
Stay on the boardwalks at Foxy Beach. Do not approach, touch or feed the penguins. They are wild animals and can bite. The south African penguins here are an endangered species, and the colony operates under strict conservation management.
What Do Visitors Often Miss at Boulders Beach?
A few things that first-time visitors frequently overlook.
Second viewing platform
Most visitors stop at the first boardwalk viewpoint at Foxy Beach and turn back. The boardwalk continues to a second, quieter platform that is often less crowded and gives a different angle over the nesting area
Second beach
The Boulders Beach swimming cove (Seaforth Road side) is a separate area from Foxy Beach. Many visitors see the penguins from the boardwalk and leave without realising there is a sheltered beach where you can swim with boulders and penguins nearby
Tide effect:
At low tide, more beaches are exposed and penguins spread out across the sand. At high tide, the swimming area shrinks, and penguins cluster closer to the rocks. Low tide generally gives better beach access and wider penguin viewing
How Long Do You Need at Boulders Beach?
Visit Type | Time Needed | What You Can Do |
Quick penguin stop | 30 to 45 minutes | Walk the Foxy Beach boardwalk, see the colony, take photographs, leave |
Standard visit | 60 to 90 minutes | Boardwalk viewing at Foxy Beach, walk through to Boulders Beach, quick swim or beach time |
Relaxed beach visit | 2 to 3 hours | Full boardwalk circuit, swim at the cove, sit on the beach, take your time with the colony |
Most visitors on a Cape Peninsula day tour spend 60 to 90 minutes. If you are self-driving and not on a fixed schedule, the cove is a good place to slow down.
What Can You Combine with Boulders Beach?
Boulders Beach sits on the Cape Peninsula, which means it combines naturally with several other stops in the same area. You will also know which places can be combined with the penguin beach, making it easier to plan your day.
Combination | Suggested Order | Time Needed | Why It Works |
Boulders Beach + Simon's Town | Boulders Beach first, then walk or drive into Simon's Town for lunch | Half day (3 to 4 hours) | Simon's Town is 2km away and has a harbour, cafes and the SA Navy Museum |
Boulders Beach + Cape Point | Boulders Beach in the morning, Cape Point after | Most of the day (6 to 7 hours) | Both are SANParks sites on the same peninsula. Cape Point adds coastal cliffs and the lighthouse |
Boulders Beach + full Cape Peninsula route | Cape Town to Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Simon's Town, Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay, return | Full day (8 to 10 hours) | The classic Cape Peninsula loop. Self-drive or guided tour. One of the best day outings from Cape Town |
Worth the Drive South
When on your South Africa holiday, visiting Boulders Beach can add a memorable mix of beachy sunshine and wildlife sightseeing. This beach allows you to choose between two options: either get sun-soaked, relaxed, and immerse yourself in the beachy vibe or see the penguins from the walking trail, their nests, their behaviour, and everything about them.
So, Boulders Beach is a simple visit once you understand the two access points, the tide effect and how much time to allow. The penguins Cape Town visitors come to see are here year-round, and the sheltered cove among the granite boulders is one of the more unusual swimming spots in South Africa.
At Holiday Tribe, we build Boulders Beach into structured Cape Town and South Africa holiday packages that include accommodation, transfers and sightseeing. If you prefer something customised around your own dates and pace, our holiday advisors can put together a plan that fits. Flights are not included unless you want them added.
