PENGUINS! Yes, I just had to start with that. Because this is exactly what I would shout every time someone asked what was on our South Africa itinerary. A day spotting penguins at Boulders Beach (Foxy Beach) sounds amazing, right? It’s not the first thing you might associate with South Africa, and definitely not with a big city like Cape Town. But you can do it — it’s even a little touristy now.
We drove from Cape Town towards Simon’s Town, where you’ll find Foxy Beach, home to a large colony of penguins. In this blog, I’ll tell you how to get there, what the difference is between Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach, the best time to visit, and some practical tips. Plus, a few extra spots in South Africa where you can also see penguins.
Contents
Where are Boulders Beach & Foxy Beach located?
Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach are located in Simon’s Town, on the Cape Peninsula. The area is part of Table Mountain National Park. It’s about an hour’s drive from Cape Town (without stops). Tip: combine this with a scenic Cape Peninsula road trip via Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, and then continue towards Cape Point. Penguins as a stopover = perfect day.
Boulders vs. Foxy Beach: what’s the difference?
This confused me at first, so here’s a simple breakdown:
- Foxy Beach: here you walk along boardwalks to a viewing platform. You stand just above the beach, looking out over the colony. Perfect for photos, since you’re not disturbing the animals.
- Boulders Beach: this is the beach area where you can sunbathe and swim among the famous granite rocks. Penguins sometimes wander by, but remember you’re a guest on their territory. Keep your distance and never touch them.
Both entrances are part of the same area. You buy one ticket and may need to show it again if you walk between the two sites. In this blog I mainly focus on the penguins at the viewing platform. Funny enough, we already spotted a few penguins before even reaching the main entrance.
Our experience: boardwalks, soft sand, and lots of penguins
It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the entrance. It was fairly busy when we arrived — tourists love this spot — but the line moved quickly. Once you’re on the boardwalk, you immediately notice how well-organized everything is. You walk past nesting spots and bushes, hearing that classic “donkey” sound everywhere. They’re not called jackass penguins for nothing.
From the main platform, we overlooked a bay full of penguins. Some were chilling, others waddling toward the sea. And that water — bright turquoise with foamy white waves. We took so many great photos here. Got a camera with zoom? This is your moment. Smartphones work too, but we saw plenty of people going all in with proper lenses for those perfect shots.
Also, walk over to the second platform on the other side. It’s smaller and often quieter. Depending on the time of day, more penguins might be closer here. And don’t forget Boulders Beach itself — between the granite boulders it’s picture-perfect, like a natural swimming pool with penguin neighbors.
Practical: tickets, opening hours & best time
- Tickets: buy your ticket at the entrance. Payment is cashless (debit/credit card). During peak season, expect a queue.
- Opening hours: the platforms usually open early (around 7:00–8:00) and close by sunset. Early or late is the best: it’s cooler, quieter, and you’re likely to see more active penguin behaviour.
- Best time of day: around sunrise or late afternoon. Noon is hot and busy—penguins usually hide and aren’t up for much then.
- Tide: check for high/low tide. At high tide, there’s less beach space and people crowd together on the platforms.
- Parking: there are small (paid) parking lots near Foxy Beach. Weekends can be full; otherwise, park up the street and walk down.
Do’s & don’ts around the penguins
- Don’t touch, don’t feed — obvious, but still. Penguins bite and get stressed if approached.
- Stay on the paths and behind the fences — this is their home, we’re only guests.
- Keep your distance — even if they waddle toward you. Let them go about their way.
- Speak quietly — you’ll hear their fun braying sounds and see more natural behaviour.
How do you get there?
By car: This is the easiest way. You can drive the full Cape Peninsula route (Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope) and plan Boulders as your highlight. Drive defensively and park properly; Simon’s Town can get busy.
Without a car: there are day tours from Cape Town that stop here. The Hop-on Hop-off Cape Peninsula route also sometimes has a stop nearby. Handy if you don’t want to park or drive on the left. And if you’ve booked an organized trip, chances are high this is on your itinerary.
Best travel season for penguins
You can visit year-round. Summer (Dec–Feb) is warm and clear but busy. For us, the shoulder seasons (Sep–Nov and Mar–May) were perfect: still good weather, less crowded, and beautiful colours in the bay.
The African penguins at Boulders Beach breed all year, but there are clear peaks when you’ll see the most chicks:
- 🐣 February to May → this is the peak breeding time at Boulders Beach. Lots of adults guarding nests and feeding chicks.
- 🐥 June to August → many young penguins just fledged. You’ll often see them still fluffy with their soft grey feathers.
- 🐧 September to December → the colony is a bit quieter, most adults are moulting (shedding their feathers at land).
The best window for seeing penguin chicks is between February and May, with some fledgelings even in June.
More penguin spots in South Africa
- Betty’s Bay (Stony Point): quieter than Boulders, wooden boardwalks along a big colony. Extra fun: you’ll often spot dassies (rock hyrax) here.
- Robben Island: known for its history, but also home to many penguins and seabirds. You’ll get there by ferry from Cape Town.
- Dassen Island & Dyer Island: less accessible (boat/permit required), but real bird paradises. Dyer is famous for its seals and (occasionally) great white sharks too.
Our tips at a glance
- Go early or late for fewer crowds and great light.
- Start at Foxy Beach (platforms), then continue to Boulders Beach (beach).
- Check the tide, and park further up if the nearest lots are full.
- Bring sunscreen and enough water; there’s little shade.
We really had that “wow, this is Africa” moment here. Boulders Beach and Foxy Beach are must-do’s from Cape Town for a reason. Planning a visit? Take your time, plan smartly, and enjoy these special neighbours of Cape Town.
