Penguins at Boulders Beach: Day Trips and Tours from Cape Town

Watch as penguins waddle up and down the beach and swim in turquoise blue waters — providing viewing pleasure and endless photo opportunities. Visit a large colony of African penguins in their natural habitat with a day trip to Boulders Beach from Cape Town.

Boulders Beach offers outstanding facilities, including a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that allows you to get close to the penguins while still maintaining a safe distance. It is no wonder that the beach has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa.

Here's all you need to know about penguins at Boulders Beach, one of the most fantastic destinations for day trips from Cape Town.

How to get to the penguins at Boulders Beach from Cape Town?

Boulders Beach is just 40 kilometers south of Cape Town’s CBD and is located just outside of Simon’s Town.

From Cape Town to Boulders Beach by car

Driving from Cape Town’s CBD to Boulders Beach is relatively straightforward— just get onto the M3 highway and head south. However, if you want to take the scenic route that bypasses Chapman’s Peak and Kommetjie, ensure you get onto the M6. The drive should take you roughly an hour.

From Cape Town to Boulders Beach by train

Catch a train from Cape Town station to Simon’s Town. Once you get off the train, you can either enjoy the scenic 30-minute walk to Boulders Beach or get a taxi from the station to the beach. The train journey takes just over 1 hour.

Guided tour to Boulders Beach from Cape Town

Travel from Cape Town to see the penguins at Boulders Beach in a private vehicle with a local guide. This is probably the most convenient way to get around if you are not familiar with the area. Most guided tours last roughly 6 hours, including transportation time.

How much does the entrance ticket to see the penguins at Boulders Beach cost?

Buying a Boulders Beach entrance ticket will grant you access to the beach for the day.

• Foreign adults: ZAR152 (US$9)
• Foreign children: ZAR75 (US$4)
• South African adult citizens: ZAR39 (US$2)
• South African children citizens: ZAR20 (US$1)

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to the penguins at Boulders Beach from Cape Town?

While each tour to the penguins at Boulders Beach from Cape Town is slightly different, many of the day tours follow a somewhat similar itinerary.

Most tours will offer a hotel pickup service from your accommodation in Cape Town. From there, you’ll make your way to Boulders Beach in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle. Most tour guides will take the scenic route so that you can enjoy the incredible views that Chapman's Peak has to offer.

Arrive at Boulders Beach and see the playful African penguins in their natural habitat. Enjoy some time relaxing on the beach and learning about the penguins from your informative guide. Once you’ve spent a few hours at the beach, it’s time to head back to Cape Town.

Many tours make additional stops at other nearby attractions such as Cape Point and Table Mountain.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the penguins at Boulders Beach?

If you’re interested in enjoying a day trip to see the penguins at Boulders Beach from Cape Town, you have a few different options available to you, including guided group tours and private tours.

Guided tours to Boulders Beach from Cape Town

Join a group tour to see the penguins at Boulders Beach, leaving from Cape Town in the morning. You’ll get to experience everything that Boulders Beach has to offer with a professional guide at your side, as well as comfortable roundtrip transportation.

Private tour to Boulders Beach from Cape Town

Enjoy a hotel pickup and drop-off service, as well as a customizable schedule and itinerary, when you book a private tour to Boulders Beach from Cape Town. Your private tour guide will provide you with engaging information about the area and the penguins during your tour.

Day trip to Boulders Beach plus Cape Point from Cape Town

Cape Point is a stunning, natural area within Table Mountain National Park. As Cape Point is not far from the penguins at Boulders Beach,  many day trips to Boulders Beach include a stop at Cape Point in their itineraries.

Day tour to Boulders Beach plus Cape Point and Table Mountain from Cape Town

If you want to enjoy an action-packed day that is filled with visiting some of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks, choose a day trip to Boulders Beach which also visits Cape Point and Table Mountain. You’ll be blown away by the incredibly diverse views you’ll see throughout the day.

How much does a tour to the penguins at Boulders Beach from Cape Town cost?

Guided tours from Cape Town to Boulders Beach are typically the most affordable option. These half-day trips usually cost between US$40 and US$50 per person.

Private tours cost in the region of between US$80 and US$100 per person, and the price will be reflected in the length of the tour.

Tours that visit the penguins at Boulders Beach and Cape Point generally cost around US$70 per person for guided tours, and US$100 per person for private tours.

Private tours that cover Table Mountain, Cape Point and Boulders Beach usually cost between US$100 and US$120 per person, while guided tours of these iconic sites typically cost around US$80 per person.

What will you see and do on a penguins at Boulders Beach day trip from Cape Town?

The best thing about a day trip to the penguins at Boulders Beach is quite obviously getting to see the penguins. Boulders Beach is home to a colony of around 2,500 African penguins

Unlike going to a zoo, a trip to Boulders Beach allows you to see these incredible birds in their natural habitat. You’ll see penguins swimming, sitting on eggs, relaxing on the beach, and even cuddling one another. It truly is an animal lover’s dream.

In addition to its penguins, Boulders Beach boasts an array of magnificent rock formations that make for incredible photos. The beach itself is extremely picturesque with its white sand and turquoise waters.

Although the water is rather cold, Boulders Beach is a great beach for swimming as it is situated in a protected bay with very calm waters.

Most day trips to Boulders Beach will provide time for viewing the penguins, taking photos, relaxing and swimming.

When is Boulders Beach open over the year?

Boulders Beach is open every day of the year. The busiest season for Boulders Beach is summer, between November and February.

What are the opening times?

Boulders Beach is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

When is the best time to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach?

The penguins at Boulders beach can be visited at any time throughout the year. However, between September and October, the birds spend a lot of time out at sea hunting fish and you may not see as many of them as you would during the rest of the year.

During the summer months is when you’ll see the most penguin activity on the beach, and this is also the time of year when Cape Town experiences the best weather.

Travel tips

• Do not feed or try to touch the penguins at Boulders Beach.
• Bring all your beach essentials with you, including sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
• Book your Boulders Beach day trip in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Bring your camera to get photos of the penguins.