Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach

At Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town lives a free-ranging colony of the African penguin, a severely threatened species also known as the ‘Brillenpinguin’. The facial markings resemble a pair of glasses and make these animals unmistakable. The colony was established in the 1980s and today offers one of the few opportunities to observe these penguins on the mainland at close quarters. The sheltered bay with its characteristic granite boulders offers ideal conditions for breeding, resting and raising the chicks. Especially between February and May, during the main breeding season, you can watch the birds waddling, preening, calling or swimming. From November to January many penguins stay on land during their moult.

Access to the colony is via wooden walkways and designated viewpoints, which give good views without disturbing the animals. There are two access points: one leads along a wooden walkway with a view of the colony, the other directly to a stretch of beach where penguins move around freely and you can stay in the same bay. Always keep your distance, as the animals are wild and can bite if they feel harassed. It is worth visiting in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the light is softer and it is less crowded. Allow enough time to experience the penguins’ behaviour in peace. The spot lies directly on the Cape Peninsula and can easily be combined with Cape Point or the Cape of Good Hope.