January 7

March of the Penguins – Boulders Beach, Cape Town

38  comments

By Tamlin Wightman on January 7, 2013

Memphis: Whatcha doin’ there, boy?
Baby Mumble: [tap dancing] I’m happy, Pa!
Memphis: Whatcha doin’ with your feet?
Baby Mumble: [looks down] They’re happy, too!


If you’ve watched either of the Happy Feet films, you’re bound to be as smitten with the penguin race as I am. Like most animated animals, they’re not as cute and musical in real life. Most penguins can’t really dance to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with such finesse. But they sure are a wonder to behold.

Down in the seaside hamlet of Simon’s Town in Cape Town is a place called Boulders Beach – a breeding colony for the endangered African Penguin. Boulders is situated in False Bay, which is fringed by 30 kilometres of white sandy beach. Tourists flock here to see these aquatic flightless birds, who’ve called the area home since 1982.

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is a great family-friendly spot to visit on your Cape Town holiday, 40 kms from the city centre. You can observe the penguins up close, as they swarm into the bay from sea, hop atop the boulders or waddle onto the sand and to their nests. Watch them preening and suntanning on the rocks like holidaymakers, before whirlpooling back into the water for a pilchard and anchovy snack.

Be sure to spend a few hours exploring the historical navy town of Simon’s Town and nearby Cape Point, afterwards.

And don’t forget the camera… Here are some photos I took on a recent visit:

A colony of penguins

Boulders Beach

Penguins coming in for landing

Boulders Beach

The Great Trek

Boulders Beach

Silhouette at sunset

Posing for the camera

For Your Information

There is an entrance fee of R35 for adults and R10 for children under the age of 12, giving you access to the beach, walkways and viewpoints.

If you get peckish, the Boulders Beach Restaurant is only 70 metres from the beach, with a deck outside so you can watch the view while enjoying a nibble and drink. Tel 021 786 1758.

For accommodation in the False Bay area, visit our website and contact us to plan and book an itinerary that includes this world-famous must-see destination.


Tags


You May Also Like

The Earthshot Prize: Accelerating Change for a Sustainable Future

The Earthshot Prize: Accelerating Change for a Sustainable Future

About the author 

Tamlin Wightman

Tamlin has been exploring, writing about and photographing Africa ever since her first job as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. She's lived on an island, eaten with lions, sailed catamarans in the Indian Ocean, tracked wild dogs with Kinglsey Holgate, and white water rafted down the Zambezi and has kept just about every airplane ticket that has crossed her hands.

  • […] here, if not for the sites, then for the spectacular nature along the way. Visit the 3000 African penguins at Boulder’s Beach, near Simon’s Town. Visit Cape Point, a mountainous landform at the southeast corner of the Cape […]

  • Rientro da una cena/incontro di lavoro proprio con il titolare della Rhino !!! È sempre emozionante sentir parlare di Africa , di etnie e di fantastici animali !!!

  • Hello, can you give more information on how you booked for this trip? i would love to go where you went, love the pics!

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >