Boulders Beach

Penguins in Simon's Town

Boulders Beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park. At Boulders Beach, you can visit and get to know the families of African penguins. These (jackass penguins) are considered to be endangered. They are protected, and Boulders Beach has been chosen as their own ‘waddling ground’ where you can walk along the boardwalks. 

African Penguins were reclassified from vulnerable to endangered. The Boulders colony was established in 1982. A breeding pair is said to have arrived from nearby Dyer Island. Happily, the number of penguins is steadily increasing. With a decline in commercial fishing in False Bay, their chances of survival improved. At its peak, the colony reached about 3000.

. Penguins feed mostly on fish, they are about 60cm tall and weigh about 3 kilos. Penguins can dive to 130 metres deep and move at speeds up to 20 km per hour. They can hold their breath for over 2 minutes. Penguins have a lifespan of about 10 years.

The water at the boulders beaches is considerably warmer than elsewhere on the coast because of the boulders, which shelter the space and catch the sun. The rocks are estimated to be around 540 million years old. Because of these boulders, the beach is safe for swimming and paddling.

There is a charge to enter the protected area. Pensioners’ rates apply.

Kleintuin Road

Check the sea temperature here

Check the tides here

Best beaches in the Western Cape article

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