Boulders Beach

Beach Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What to expect

Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, located on the Cape Peninsula, in Simon's Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins which settled there in 1982. The beach is ideal for children as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents, wind and large waves, and it is also a great spot for swimming and picnics. The area is protected by the Table Mountain National Park, and there are boardwalks and viewing areas where visitors can observe the penguins at close range. The penguins are endangered, and the site is also home to other wildlife such as dassies. The beach is clean and safe, and there are nearby restaurants and B&B's

Plan your family visit to the Boulders Beach with these blog insights 👇

Where to see penguins in South Africa with kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the beach to see the penguins and even got to swim with them in the clear water

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the penguins up close and swimming in the protected, calm waters. We were surprised by how close we could get to them! ✨

Best Things to Do in Cape Town with Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Boulders Beach, a famous nesting area for the African penguin, and took a short stroll on the boardwalk

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the penguins, and we enjoyed the rich marine life by snorkeling in a kelp forest ✨

5 Fun Things To Do In Cape Town With A Toddler 2024

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited Boulders Beach, where we saw hundreds of penguins in their natural habitat

Highlights: Our daughter was ecstatic about the penguins and the boardwalk through the rocks ✨

Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula – 7 of the most beautiful trips with children (or without)

This family's experience:

Activities: We went to Boulders Beach and saw the penguins. We observed them from two wooden walkways, and saw their life cycle. A small sandy beach nearby allowed the kids to swim with penguins

Highlights: Seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach was an unforgettable experience. The kids were able to get close to the penguins in their natural environment, and even swim with them ✨