For the increasing number of visitors peaking at 5.000 each day in December/January and for the rest of the year around 2.000 visitors daily, the access is via wheelchair-friendly boardwalks nowadays. The shop, the visitor center, Boulders Beach, and Foxy Beach get closed at the mentioned time below. This is due over-fishing, habitat destruction, pollution and irresponsible tourism. September - October: Penguins foraging at sea for the moulting season. If you need to fill in a sandbox or volleyball pit, we’ve got you covered. It is all very well constructed; penguins get protected, visitors have a memorable time, and stunning pictures. Learn about traveling in Virginia. Most popular time to visit Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach: Visiting the penguin beach in Cape Town Where is Boulders Beach? In my opinion, it’s utterly worth it. By rental car, uber, or Taxi roughly one hour from W&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Usually, 80% of the accommodations are already booked a couple of weeks before during the busy season. We watched this spectacle a couple of times. Laying two eggs – both parents breed and feed. Usually, you can also see penguins at Water's Edge Beach and Seaforth as well but in smaller numbers. If you need bedding material for pavers or pools, our Washed Concrete Sand fits the bill. Reserve your spot today and pay when you're ready for thousands of tours on Viator. Usually, it’s often sunny and partly cloudy. Within a 5-minute walk of the vacation home, you'll find Boulders Beach and Simon's Town Country Club. There are tons of lodges, cottages, private houses, B&Bs, and hotels in Cape Town. March has the least amount of rainfall, with only two days in the month being hit; June and August are particularly rainy, though, with 11 days each. Since then, the penguin population has exploded to between 2,000 and 3,000, making this picturesque but once rather forgotten stretch of sand one of the nation’s premier tourist attractions. Breakfast is included when you book, too! Signal Hill is the Northern-most tip of the terrestrial area of the TMNP … Read on to find out everything you need to know about visit Boulders Beach, and how to see lots of penguins! Boulders welcomes guests every day starting at 7 or 8 p.m.; closing times vary depending on the season. The human zoo is a concept that surfaces far too often in today's world. Located just near historic Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is around a 40 minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Simon's Town: Hours, Address, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Reviews: 4.5/5 Respect the recommended 3 meters distance to these majestic birds, they have a strong beak and bite. 2 PM - 3 PM. There are two parking lots; one at Seaforth Square and one at Bellevue Road: Seaforth Square is bigger and open 24 hours while Bellevue Road is smaller and closes earlier. If you purchase an item that I link to then I may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The Boulders Penguin Colony hangs out at Boulders Beach (and the adjacent beaches) year round.However, in September and October the penguins spend a lot of their time out at sea feeding, so the numbers on the beach … There are set opening times for Boulders Beach depending on the time of year, which are: February-March and October-November 8am-6.30pm. It lasts for roughly three weeks. The beaches are within walking distance. If you are considering visiting these natural attractions though, it is best to be prepared! Don’t worry, though – the penguins are there all year round. Value in decimal degrees. At around 18 miles from Cape Town International Airport, it’s easy to get to and free accessible parking is offered on-site. The closure time depends on the available daylight. All you need to know about visiting Boulders Beach and the penguins! The entrance fee for foreign visitors is high ZAR 160 per adult and 80 per child, but it’s also used for the conservation of the penguins. Holding the breath for around 2.5 minutes. In 1982 the first pair of African penguins settled at Boulders Beach and more followed. African Penguins used to be known as jackass penguins because of their distinctive braying, and they’re the only penguins found on the continent. It is one of the best spots in the world to get close to penguins in the wild. This means Boulders Beach is the perfect place to see African Penguins in their safe and natural habitat. If you click on the picture above you get to our last accommodation close to Cape Town in Hout Bay on Mount Bay in summer 2020. Make sure you pay attention to the closing time when you get there, so you don’t end up having to pack up and leave in a rush! There is an entrance fee applicable when visiting Boulders Beach. They are absolutely fascinating and very beautiful! The beach itself is classed as a safe beach – there are rangers on patrol every day, and alcohol and smoking are prohibited. They might look cute and cuddly but their beaks are as sharp as razors and if they feel threatened they have no qualms about nipping the odd finger or nose. Expect to pay a tip when leaving the car park. No spam. Continue reading for an exceptional visit to Cape Town. Most visitors come here just for half an hour or less and don’t visit Boulders or the other spots. Purchase tickets and view events for the Jiffy Lube Live. Our pictures were taken with Olympus OMD 10 II. February-March and October-November 8am-6.30pm. Unfortunately, the numbers are decreasing due to domestic pets, seals, kelp gulls (I even saw a gull with an egg in the beak), overfishing, climate change, even cars, and first of all because of us! Give us a call, and we’ll deliver it to your driveway for FREE. Traducción disponible en tu idioma. Very convenient for tourists! To get to the smaller one, turn immediately right after the entry. Rooms are bright and airy, and the beach is a mere 5 minute walk away. January and February are the driest months of the year. December-January (Summer) 7am-7.30pm. For something a bit more affordable, but still within easy reach of Boulders Beach, check out Penguins View Guesthouse. It will give you more time to explore other parts of the coastline, and you can visit all the small suburbs in between like Noordhoek and Scarborough. To dodge the crowds come either in the morning or late afternoon what we recommend. No matter when you time your visit, you’re guaranteed to see penguins. Be prepared and bring a windbreaker. At this time, penguins don't have the capability to stay warm in the cold sea. The beaches are often busy; however, during the best time of the day, it is usually quieter. The entrance fee tariffs are: Child rates are applied for ages 2-11, and adult rates apply for those over the age of 12. You'll see many more penguins compared to the morning. Swim in the comparatively warm and calm waters of the False Bay and relax at the sandy beach; the big round granite boulders are 540 million years old and provide some shade and shelter the cove from currents, wind and large waves; Boulders Beach name originated from the boulders. The African Penguins are native to South Africa and Namibia. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins which settled there in 1982. Check out booking.com for the best rates and read the recommendations first. They sneeze out the salt crystals. Make sure you pay attention to the closing time when you get there, so you don’t end up having to pack up and leave in a rush! None of your social media posts is worth doing so! Alternatives (incl. It’s often sunny and partly cloudy. After arriving at the car park most people head to the right to join the queue at the visitor centre ticket office. An alternative and our favourite time is late afternoon: roughly 2-3 hours before they close, depending on the season. Do you want to learn more about managing your businesses sustainably and effectively? Roughly 60 days after hatching some chicks have already the juvenile plumage and called "baby blues" due to their new colour. as decimal separator. Day temps are on average around 24°C and can climb up to 30°C. Accommodation Near Boulder’s Beach. Boulders Beach hours start from around 8 am in the morning and the beach operates till 5-5:30 pm in winter and 6:30-7 pm in summer season. T T he whole species though, both at Boulders Beach and elsewhere, face many threats and these aquatic flightless birds are actually listed as endangered. In this article I have outlined the... Ostrich riding is a popular tourist activity in some parts of the world and you will see plenty of places advertising the opportunity to ride an ostrich, especially in the South Africa, where it is particularly popular. Swimming at Foxy Beach is prohibited to ensure the penguins are not too disturbed by humans. Boulders Beach is located fairly close to Cape Town. As you can see from the above examples, the weather at Boulders Beach is quite temperate – never freezing cold and never boiling hot. You don’t have to pay a fee for these spots, but none is as fantastic as Foxy Beach. This beach is usually not crowded due to the entrance fee. There’s a pool, a nearby golf course, barbecue facilities and more. It is still pleasant on average above 20°C. The boardwalk gives you the perfect position to spot penguins just in front of you. Best time to visit Boulders Beach. Specify map location Proximity (field_coordinates). The classic decorated and well-appointed rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. There is often a light breeze or even strong wind. In the late afternoon, crowds thin out as well. Learning about the fascinating giant panda facts is one of the best ways to get excited about a trip to China, home to these magnificent creatures. The stay either at the beach or hide in the bush. At just 900 yards from the beach itself, Tintswalo at Boulders is ideal. Boulders Beach is a section of Table Mountain National Park and managed by SANParks; several beaches, three boardwalks, and two penguin viewing areas belong to it. Official website of the Virginia Department of Transportation . However, I always book these accommodations in advance during the peak season. Rain showers can occur but on a couple of days only. The area is a Marine Protected Area, you must follow the rules of Cape Peninsula National Park and never remove any marine life from the area. Every year tourists flock there to get close to African Penguins. The hottest months are January and February, with lows of 15°C and highs of 24°C. From Bellevue parking, you get to another spot called Burgers' Walk to watch penguins. The Moeraki Boulders can only be viewed in all their glory at low tide. It's rare that Cape Town is fully booked. It's a protected area, fishing, smoking, and alcohol is prohibited! Read Regular Updates, Listings and News for the music venue. Nowadays, there are roughly 2.500 around the area of Boulders. 3.5-star beach vacation home near Boulders Beach. This location falls under the Western Cape province of South Africa and is sometimes referred to as Boulder’s Bay. Colonies can be found from southern Namibia all the way around the South African coast to Port Elizabeth, but few places offer as remarkable a viewing point as Boulders Beach. It’s just over 27 miles from Cape Town International Airport, has a pool and offers free WiFi as well as free parking, massage facilities, private bathrooms and more. Enterate cómo conseguir tu vacuna Vaccinate.Virginia.gov o llamando al 1-877-829-4682 de 8am a 8pm. There are currently between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins at Boulders beach, but sadly they are classed as an endangered species. Visiting the beach isn’t a 24 hours a day activity. Boulders Beach is just over an hours drive from Cape Town, and the area is popular for wine tasting, hiking and safari. Mist can occur in the morning. You can also view store hours, get directions and more. Visiting the Costa Rica volcanoes: What you should know, Ostrich riding: Why you should never RIDE an ostrich. This beautiful beach features massive granite boulders throughout the area, including in the underwater. Use dot (.) Is it cruel? The Happy Rhino Hotel is great if you want to be in the heart of the city – it’s a capsule hotel with en-suite rooms, free WiFi and a breakfast area. According to locals and previous visitors, it’s best to visit midweek. Close to the beach. Usually, June is the wettest month of the year. This derogatory term is generally associated with exploitative and unethical practices, whereby humans are put on display for entertainment purposes. If you're spending time exploring the Cape Peninsula area of South Africa, a visit with the penguin colony at Boulders Beach is a must. Meanwhile, the species is classified as endangered since 2010. Ask the car-park attendant when the gate gets closed! However, it can be crowded in the shoulder and off-season as well, especially on the weekends and in the daytime. The water temperature is around 18°C cold. Your email address will not be published. Sign up today. They can be identified by their unique pattern on the chest. Boulders Beach is one of the few places worldwide where you can get up close and personal with penguins. Sadly, they are an endangered species due to over-fishing, habitat destruction, pollution and irresponsible tourism. Being a three-minute walk from the famous Boulders Beach, our home is ideally situated for exploring sights and also for experiencing a beach … The view was fantastic, the sunrise spectacular, and even a gas BBQ was available. Also, don't touch or feed the penguins. Enjoy your trip. The following three are some of our favourite ones. When the tide is in they can still be seen, but only the very top of the boulders show above the water and you’ll not be able to get close to them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Language translation available, TTY users dial 7-1-1. Fee Boulders Beach Foreign Visitors 2021; adults R170 roughly 10€/$11/15AUD/8GBP and children R85 half the price. In previous years you could take a picnic, climb over the boulders, swim in the crystal clear water or explore the rock pools. Whilst some cat cafes are charitable ventures, others may demonstrate less philanthropic behaviour. Seeing them gawky waddle on land is always funny. As the only place in the world you can get this close to African penguins it is a fabulous all year round destination and undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s many highlights. Decreasing rainfall from September onwards. In the early 1980s, a pair of African penguins settled there. As you can see from the opening times above, Boulders Beach is open year round. During the peak season, you can enter the beach with your ticket only. In March and April, you see already chicks, some in juvenile plumage, penguins breeding with one or two eggs, and mating ones as well. Should you visit the famous long neck tribe in Thailand. Nowadays, however, tourists are restricted to the dedicated walkways in order to protect the penguins and their habitat. The breeding season starts roughly in February and lasts until August: It peaks from March to May. You could also check for low tide, as there is more space at the beach during crowded times. 5% of the hotel’s profits go towards supporting anti rhino poaching efforts in South Africa. They have free private parking, kitchenettes and a pool/fitness centre. Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. Day temps are on average around 18°C and 10°C during the night. Boulders Beach House has been our family holdiay home for many years, and we enjoy sharing it with guests who want to explore the beautiful area in which it is situated. The main beach with viewing area is Foxy Beach. The lowest temperature in the area comes during June-August, when it gets down to 11°C with highs of around 18°C. This path leads along the neighbourhood houses. When they reach the beach, waddle up to the nests, and feed the chicks that's an unforgettable experience. You can view the South African penguins all year round at Boulders Beach. First, rates are lower and I only choose the safe and better rated self-catering cottages or B&Bs. Close. Take a taxi or uber or walk 3 km from here. MEET THE LOCALS! Most of them nest at Foxy Beach. The money is used for conservation, and also prevents overcrowding. Day temps are always above 20°C. Visiting a cat cafe is a novel and unique experience. More information about the whole region: Table Mountain National Park. Boulders Beach is the only place in the world where you can get close to African Penguins. Although the South African penguin can breed at any time of the year, the season normally runs from February to August. During the last hour, we were always almost alone. Between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins live here. March is still dry, increasing rainfall from April onwards. Learn how to get your shot at Vaccinate.Virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN VA. 8am - 8pm. The harbour comes with an interesting history, established in the 19th century by the Brits as an alternative when powerful storms prevent landings in Cape Town. Alternatively, veer left to make your way to the beach and see how bathers and penguins happily share sand and sea. Alternatively, you can always stay in an Airbnb, like we did. Stunning place! Our visit was in December and it was perfect! It's fascinating when the penguins return from hunting. Midday is the busiest time for seeing Moeraki Boulders Beach. Whilst the circuses and cabarets that once... I’ve been travelling, studying and teaching travel and tourism since I was 16. For something a bit more central, Ashanti Lodge Gardens is a popular choice too. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, located in a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point south of Cape Town is world famous for its colony of African Penguins. Tours to see the penguins are available! Book a guided tour, most convenient if traveling without a car. It’s a little quieter, but the view is best from the main boardwalk. Also, the southeaster, often called "Cape Doctor" by the locals, can blow for days on end during summer. Take the train until station Simons Town. Some people say that you absolutely should visit the Kayan people because they are in desperate need of the tourist Dollar. The other one where you can swim in summer is Boulders Beach. Fewer penguins are at the beach. OrthoVirginia combines science, technology, and a creative approach to deliver Virginia’s premier orthopedic, physical therapy, and sports medicine care. If you want to be as close as possible to the beach and the penguins, then Simon’s Town is the place to stay. A Sunflower Stop is popular and affordable, and only a 20 minute walk from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Hike to the Three Granite Boulders at Paarl Rock, Southern Right Whales from Gansbaai to Klipgat Cave, De Hoop - One of the Most Beautiful Reserves on Earth. And you can find them wandering in the locals' gardens too (below). ¿Necesitas vacunarte? If it gets too crowded the ranger close the beach for additional visitors. In general, you'll spot more penguins in the breeding season than at other times. The penguins have called Boulders their home since 1984 and have perfectly climatized to the warmer waters the Indian Ocean brings. The best time to visit Boulders Beach full of penguins is during the peak of the breeding season from February to May; in the late afternoon roughly from 4 pm onwards when the penguins come back to their nests. The penguins are happy to do their thing as long as the humans stay on the boardwalk. Night temps are on average around 15°C. The best time to visit in terms of the weather is between October and March.This is when the area gets the least amount of rainfall. During winter, it is a mixture of sunny, partly cloudy, and overcast days. It’s often partly cloudy and occasionally overcast. Check out the best tours and activities to experience Boulders Beach. Timings Monday to Sunday Boulders Beach is located in the False Bay on the Cape Peninsula. The most popular recreational spot is Boulders Beach. Before you can enter you have to pay the conservation fee. Some regard the BEST time to see more penguins is from March to May, the peak of the breeding season. Due to the light breeze, it doesn’t get too hot. Boulders Beach is a short drive from Cape Town’s city centre, but to get the most out of your trip, spend a night or two in Simon’s Town. Don't miss out on great deals for things to do on your trip to Cape Town! Here at Tourism Teacher we offer a range of staff training and development opportunities and consultancy services. You might consider Cape Town as a base if you’re staying for longer than a few days. Boulders Beach, just outside of Simon’s Town, South Africa, is not just any beach. Boulders Beach can be perfectly combined with the Cape of Good Hope on a day trip, which is also just in half an hour distance located - 23km.