Boulders Beach

Address
Simon's Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa

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In Simon's Town

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27° 13°
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23° 14°
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Tue
16° 14°
Rain 67%

Boulders Beach offers a truly unique coastal experience, a place where the raw power of geological time meets the playful antics of African penguins. This remarkable beach is defined by its ancient granite formations – colossal boulders, some weighing hundreds of tons, sculpted over 500 million years by the relentless action of the sea. These aren’t your typical rocky shoreline; the granite blocks, reaching nearly 20 feet across, present themselves in improbable angles, defying gravity and showcasing the slow, persistent artistry of the Earth.

Winding pathways, typically 6 to 10 feet wide, weave between these monumental stones, offering intimate corridors carved into the ancient granite. The contrast between the smooth, grey boulders and the vibrant turquoise water is simply stunning. It’s a landscape that rewards exploration, inviting you to appreciate the scale and symmetry of nature's design. Hundreds of African penguins call Boulders Beach home, adding a delightful, unexpected element to this dramatic setting – a truly unforgettable sight.

While popular with tourists, it’s worth noting that local South Africans benefit from discounted entry. Recent reviews consistently highlight the experience of seeing the penguins up close, though sightings can be somewhat unpredictable. Getting to Boulders Beach is easily done via autocarro from Simon's Town, or a short walk from the nearby Muizenberg beach. It’s a relatively small beach, but its captivating beauty and remarkable natural history make it a worthwhile destination for anyone seeking a truly special day out.

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18 Digital Score
18 Mentions
4.6 Average Rating
27,801 Google

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Google Reviews

4.6
27801 reviews
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FABIANA STANCATO
FABIANA STANCATO
2026-03-05T17:41:37.063Z

Pingüinos africanos que más se puede pedir!!!

Mart
Mart
2026-03-05T11:24:58.016Z
Paul G
Paul G
2026-03-05T10:07:04.789Z
reinoud martens
reinoud martens
2026-03-05T08:02:30.931Z

A must.... More queue and less parking at the 'northern entrance' compared to southern entrance. I would recommend try parking at southern entrance, pay entrance fee, then walk to northern entrance via board walk.. and no queue for tickets over there... The walk will likely already confront you with pinguïns...

Sven Kron
Sven Kron
2026-03-04T19:32:56.635Z

Tolle Sache Pinguine so nah zu sehen. Preise für den Eintritt waren okay. Man hat so auch Zugang zum Strand etwas weiter hinten, den man gerade mit Kindern auf jeden Fall besuchen sollte: seichtes, warmes und klares Wasser laden zum Spielen ein. Der Sand ist fein und weiß. Achtung nur wegen Ebbe und Flut!

R Garcia
R Garcia
2026-03-04T16:32:15.514Z

C'est sympa, les pingouins font les stars. Il y a deux spots : la plage, quelques pingouins sont a coté de vous, parfois barbotent avec vous et la zone de nidification avec ses pontons en bois, sa cohorte de touristes, ses nombreux pingouins, son shop .... deux ambiances et de belles photos ! Un site indissociable du Cap !

Joyce Mwatonoka
Joyce Mwatonoka
2026-03-04T15:14:53.838Z

It was exciting and beautiful seeing the penguins! Carry a hat and sunglasses, you'll be standing in the sun a lot.

Arno Arnold
Arno Arnold
2026-03-04T12:10:05.496Z
Ahmad Alhamad
Ahmad Alhamad
2026-03-04T10:15:34.619Z
Winston Padayachee
Winston Padayachee
2026-03-04T05:49:43.429Z
Fshr
Fshr
2026-03-16T16:59:55.518Z

Ist ganz nett mit den ganzen Pinguinen, aber relativ klein und sehr viele Menschen. Wenn man unbedingt mal Pinguine live sehen will kan mans mal machen.

Demi Mason
Demi Mason
2026-03-16T12:31:03.983Z

Such a great place to visit if you want a safe relaxing beach day. Lot's of shady spots created by the boulders. Very popular among tourists, but local South African citizens get a BIG discount on entry prices. The water is significantly warmer than a lot of other places in Cape Town and it feels very surreal being so close to the penguins, be careful of the dassies as they look cute but will steal your snacks!

Shreya Prasad
Shreya Prasad
2026-03-16T11:36:38.266Z
L. S.
L. S.
2026-03-16T07:13:20.940Z
Gaki Kusch
Gaki Kusch
2026-03-16T06:31:33.350Z

Der Eintritt lohnt sich! Super süße Pinguine, die direkt vor mir waren.

Dr Musyoka Lilian
Dr Musyoka Lilian
2026-03-15T21:48:04.033Z
GUERIN Florence
GUERIN Florence
2026-03-15T20:30:16.702Z
AJ Prollius
AJ Prollius
2026-03-15T19:03:05.009Z

Awesome experience!

Carla Guelpa
Carla Guelpa
2026-03-15T18:38:31.361Z

Love it here! But penguins sightings are unpredictable.

Angie
Angie
2026-03-15T18:26:26.927Z

Always a pleasant experience

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By the Sea Sea View On the Beach Free Access Suitable for Children