Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Boardwalk among an African penguin colony on granite boulders — Cape Town's most accessible marine wildlife.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
A delightful, if busy, urban wildlife experience that is essential for any Cape Town itinerary.
A delightful, if busy, urban wildlife experience that is essential for any Cape Town itinerary.
- Trip Role
- Day Trip
- Ideal Stay
- Half day
- Time Needed
- 2 hours
- Best For
- Family-friendly wildlife viewing
- Go If
- You are in Cape Town and want a quick, iconic wildlife encounter.
Why it's worth your time
A protected colony of African penguins living on the granite boulders of Simon's Town. It is the most accessible place in the world to see these birds in their natural habitat.
What we love
Swimming in the sheltered coves alongside the penguins.
What to know
Go early in the morning to avoid the tour bus crowds.
Pair it with
More wildlife experience in Western Cape
Cape Vulture Colony at Potberg
The last Western Cape breeding colony of Cape vultures — best viewed from the De Hoop hiking trails.
Dyer Island Marine Big 5
Whales, great whites, Cape fur seals, African penguins and dolphins around Dyer Island — the original 'Marine Big Five'.
Dyer Island Marine Reserve
Boat-based marine wildlife off Gansbaai — seals, seabirds, sharks, and whales around Dyer and Geyser Rock.
Gansbaai Great White Shark Cage Diving
Marine predator capital — cage diving with great whites and bronze whalers off Dyer Island, plus whales in season.
Hermanus Cliff Path
A 12km cliff walk where southern right whales surface meters offshore in season.
Hermanus Whale Watching
Walker Bay is the world's best land-based whale watching — southern right whales come within metres of the cliff path in spring.