Alternatively, you can always stay in an Airbnb, like we did. You can also view store hours, get directions and more. Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant, Simon's Town: See 358 unbiased reviews of Boulders Beach Lodge and Restaurant, rated 3.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and … So now they are only called African Penguins. Feeding on small fish, sardines, anchovies, squid. 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. Excellent eyes underwater but on land nearsighted. The babies get fed for about two months in the late afternoon. This beach is usually not crowded due to the entrance fee. Don’t worry, though – the penguins are there all year round. Should you visit a cat cafe? In previous years you could take a picnic, climb over the boulders, swim in the crystal clear water or explore the rock pools. Meanwhile, the species is classified as endangered since 2010. The Jiffy Lube Live amphitheatre in Bristow, Virginia. Rain showers can occur but on a couple of days only. A lot of local attractions are closed on Sundays, too, so that’s not a great day to visit either. Continue reading for an exceptional visit to Cape Town. 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. If you need to fill in a sandbox or volleyball pit, we’ve got you covered. ©2021 Dr Hayley Stainton, all rights reserved. as decimal separator. budget tips) close to the. Do you work in the tourism industry? No matter when you time your visit, you’re guaranteed to see penguins. Midday is the busiest time for seeing Moeraki Boulders Beach. Day temps are always above 20°C. Our visit was in December and it was perfect! The long neck tribe in Thailand has long been a popular tourist attraction, but this has not been without controversy. Boulders Beach is the only place in the world where you can get close to African Penguins. Check out booking.com for the best rates and read the recommendations first. More space on the beach during low tide. It’s often sunny and partly cloudy. Nowadays, there are roughly 2.500 around the area of Boulders. Some of the rooms have sea views. 1164 Times. First, rates are lower and I only choose the safe and better rated self-catering cottages or B&Bs. 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. The colony, which lives incongruously in the middle of a residential area, is one of the few sites where African penguins – previously called Jackass penguins because of their braying call – can be observed at close range, as they wander freely in a protected natural environment. Most pleasant weather from October-March. Nowadays, however, tourists are restricted to the dedicated walkways in order to protect the penguins and their habitat. This derogatory term is generally associated with exploitative and unethical practices, whereby humans are put on display for entertainment purposes. The beaches are within walking distance. The water temperature is around 18°C cold. The Boulders Penguin Colony is a stunning year-round destination, not only during the breeding/feeding season. If you need some places to stay, look no further…. There are varying amounts of rainfall throughout the year, too. Should you visit the famous long neck tribe in Thailand. Specify map location Proximity (field_coordinates). Seeing them gawky waddle on land is always funny. You don’t have to pay a fee for these spots, but none is as fantastic as Foxy Beach. I just updated my Table Mountain Guide (the link takes you to my article) with great tips you should know, as well as hiking suggestions. In general, you'll spot more penguins in the breeding season than at other times. Being a three-minute walk from the famous Boulders Beach, our home is ideally situated for exploring sights and also for experiencing a beach … Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Simon's Town: Hours, Address, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Reviews: 4.5/5 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. They are absolutely fascinating and very beautiful! Accommodation Near Boulder’s Beach. Do you want to learn more about managing your businesses sustainably and effectively? Usually, June is the wettest month of the year. There are tons of lodges, cottages, private houses, B&Bs, and hotels in Cape Town. Night temps are on average around 15°C. The busy months tend to be from March to April. During winter, it is a mixture of sunny, partly cloudy, and overcast days. Our White Play Sand is great for bunkers or creating beach-like atmospheres. Usually, 80% of the accommodations are already booked a couple of weeks before during the busy season. There you have it. It is still pleasant on average above 20°C. This is due over-fishing, habitat destruction, pollution and irresponsible tourism. Breakfast is included when you book, too! Boulders is just one of two land-based colonies in SA where you get pretty close to penguins in the wild. The breeding season starts roughly in February and lasts until August: It peaks from March to May. A Sunflower Stop is popular and affordable, and only a 20 minute walk from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. It's rare that Cape Town is fully booked. If you want to be as close as possible to the beach and the penguins, then Simon’s Town is the place to stay. Take the train until station Simons Town. 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. The hottest months are January and February, with lows of 15°C and highs of 24°C. Nearby Tip: Visit the breathtaking Table Mountain at Cape Town. Visiting the beach isn’t a 24 hours a day activity. 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. It’s often partly cloudy and occasionally overcast. As you can see from the opening times above, Boulders Beach is open year round. 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. Nevertheless, the water temp is around 20°C in summer and 14°C during winter. After arriving at the car park most people head to the right to join the queue at the visitor centre ticket office. MEET THE LOCALS! Decreasing rainfall from September onwards. Visit the African Penguins before it’s too late. Boulders welcomes guests every day starting at 7 or 8 p.m.; closing times vary depending on the season. Although, it is called Boulders Beach, most African Penguins nest at Foxy Beach. None of your social media posts is worth doing so! Betty's Bay is the other exceptional place less known to watch these cute guys close. 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. If it gets too crowded the ranger close the beach for additional visitors. Some people say that you absolutely should visit the Kayan people because they are in desperate need of the tourist Dollar. Tours to see the penguins are available! Swimming at Foxy Beach is prohibited to ensure the penguins are not too disturbed by humans. Holding the breath for around 2.5 minutes. 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! For something a bit more affordable, but still within easy reach of Boulders Beach, check out Penguins View Guesthouse. Between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins live here. In the late afternoon, crowds thin out as well. Visiting the Costa Rica volcanoes: What you should know, Ostrich riding: Why you should never RIDE an ostrich. Close to the beach. 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. Boulders Beach is just over an hours drive from Cape Town, and the area is popular for wine tasting, hiking and safari. Fewer penguins are at the beach. There are currently between 2,000 and 3,000 African Penguins at Boulders beach, but sadly they are classed as an endangered species. This beautiful beach features massive granite boulders throughout the area, including in the underwater. Boulders Beach, just outside of Simon’s Town, South Africa, is not just any beach. 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. Most of them nest at Foxy Beach. Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. That way you can explore the local area too – but it’s not hammered with tourists, holidaymakers and people on they days off! Visiting a cat cafe is a novel and unique experience. There’s a pool, a nearby golf course, barbecue facilities and more. From Bellevue parking, you get to another spot called Burgers' Walk to watch penguins. It is also part of the Marine Protected Area, so no marine life may be removed. Ask the car-park attendant when the gate gets closed! It lasts for roughly three weeks. Get information on traffic, commuting, rest area, maps and more. Traducción disponible en tu idioma. Be prepared and bring a windbreaker. Some regard the BEST time to see more penguins is from March to May, the peak of the breeding season. Purchase tickets and view events for the Jiffy Lube Live. Located at Boulders Beach with its famous penguin colony, Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curio shop offers rooms with attached bathroom, just 1.2 mi outside of Simon’s Town. An alternative and our favourite time is late afternoon: roughly 2-3 hours before they close, depending on the season. Number of Times Boulders Beach is Added in Itineraries. All you need to know about visiting Boulders Beach and the penguins! Looking for an ALDI store? Outdoor pool, terrace On our first visit, I got a cold due to the strong wind. In addition, we also sell Masonry Sand. During winter it’s much quieter but also colder. The lowest temperature in the area comes during June-August, when it gets down to 11°C with highs of around 18°C. As you can see in the picture below; this is a bad example of taking pictures from these endangered birds. They can be identified by their unique pattern on the chest. Please let them stay wild; don't pet or frighten them. Roughly 60 days after hatching some chicks have already the juvenile plumage and called "baby blues" due to their new colour. You can view the South African penguins all year round at Boulders Beach. Alternatives (incl. WiFi is free and Table Mountain is only 5 miles away. February - August: Mating and breeding season with most penguins at the beach; peak March to May. Boulders Beach is located fairly close to Cape Town. Price: ZAR 160 is less than 10€/10$/16AUD/8GBP. 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. Alternatively, veer left to make your way to the beach and see how bathers and penguins happily share sand and sea. More information about the whole region: Table Mountain National Park. They are social breeders the reason for huge colonies. Enterate cómo conseguir tu vacuna Vaccinate.Virginia.gov o llamando al 1-877-829-4682 de 8am a 8pm. Most visitors come here just for half an hour or less and don’t visit Boulders or the other spots. Check out the best tours and activities to experience Boulders Beach. This means Boulders Beach is the perfect place to see African Penguins in their safe and natural habitat. In former times the eggs were harvested uncontrolled and guano was scraped. The busy months are November until March; worst in December and January. The Costa Rica volcanoes should be a highlight of any trip to this beautiful country. Whilst the circuses and cabarets that once... I’ve been travelling, studying and teaching travel and tourism since I was 16. If they get disturbed they may disappear. September - October: Penguins foraging at sea for the moulting season. To get to the smaller one, turn immediately right after the entry. It’s a sheltered bay and beach and ideal for swimming. 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. The shop, the visitor center, Boulders Beach, and Foxy Beach get closed at the mentioned time below. The African Penguins are native to South Africa and Namibia. Penguins drink seawater which gets purified in their salt-water glands. This path leads along the neighbourhood houses. Contact me for more information. Take a taxi or uber or walk 3 km from here. 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 Boulders Beach entrance fee 2018 is INR 387/- and the Boulders Beach opening times are from 8 AM – 5 PM. Expect to pay a tip when leaving the car park. The beach itself is classed as a safe beach – there are rangers on patrol every day, and alcohol and smoking are prohibited. Visiting the quirky penguins at Boulders Beach, between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, is a unique experience. There are set opening times for Boulders Beach depending on the time of year, which are: April-September (Winter) 8am-5pm. More precipitation in winter around 90 mm each month. Respect the recommended 3 meters distance to these majestic birds, they have a strong beak and bite. The first thing to remember is that they are wild animals with razor sharp beaks. Use the ALDI Store Locator to find the nearest ALDI location. Best time to visit Boulders Beach. The following three are some of our favourite ones. Enjoy your trip. 3.5-star beach vacation home near Boulders Beach. Fee Boulders Beach Foreign Visitors 2021; adults R170 roughly 10€/$11/15AUD/8GBP and children R85 half the price. They sneeze out the salt crystals. At just 900 yards from the beach itself, Tintswalo at Boulders is ideal. Also, Fisherman's Beach is within half a mile (1 km) and Warrior Toy Museum is within 2 miles (3 km). Click here for £34 off your stay. When is the best time to see the Moeraki Boulders? Close. We've been there beginning of Feb. 2017 before 9 pm and there were only a hand full of people around, but lots more of penguins. 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. Learn about traveling in Virginia. You can visit at any time throughout the year, but the best time to visit Boulders Beach would be during the months of October to March when there is comparatively less rainfall. If you purchase an item that I link to then I may make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. They made Boulders their home (wise penguins) in 1982 and you'll be surprised by how residential the setting is, and how fascinating these birds are when you have the chance to view them at such close range. Diving into depths of up to 130 m for food. We spent here already several afternoons until closure in March 2020. The classic decorated and well-appointed rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. 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. However, I always book these accommodations in advance during the peak season. The Moeraki Boulders can only be viewed in all their glory at low tide. The most popular recreational spot is Boulders 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. Through Tourism Teacher I share my knowledge on the principles and practice of travel and tourism management from both an academic and practical perspective. The view was fantastic, the sunrise spectacular, and even a gas BBQ was available. At around 18 miles from Cape Town International Airport, it’s easy to get to and free accessible parking is offered on-site. Boulders Beach: Visiting the penguin beach in Cape Town Where is Boulders Beach? 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 … Boulders Beach is the only place in the world where you can get close to African Penguins. The newly renovated boardwalk allows you to get up close … Book a guided tour, most convenient if traveling without a car. Every year tourists flock there to get close to African Penguins. To beat the crowds and increase the chance of a parking lot, be there very early in the morning as soon as they open but, there are fewer penguins around. Usually, it’s often sunny and partly cloudy. The pinker the glands get the hotter it is - cooling down the blood. February-March and October-November 8am-6.30pm. Boulders Beach is located in the False Bay on the Cape Peninsula. There is also a visitors centre, where experts are on hand to share plenty of information about the penguins and the local area. If you are considering visiting these natural attractions though, it is best to be prepared! Laying two eggs – both parents breed and feed. During the last hour, we were always almost alone. Boulders Beach itself is a 7-8 minutes walk from the main entrance. The nearest town to Boulders Beach is Simon’s Town, which itself is near Cape Town. Reserve your spot today and pay when you're ready for thousands of tours on Viator. It’s a little quieter, but the view is best from the main boardwalk. The entrance fee tariffs are: Child rates are applied for ages 2-11, and adult rates apply for those over the age of 12. This location falls under the Western Cape province of South Africa and is sometimes referred to as Boulder’s Bay. 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 the main boardwalk and a smaller one. The boardwalks not only protect the environment and the penguins' habitat but also providing great viewing spots for capturing outstanding pictures of nesting penguins and their chicks. At this time, penguins don't have the capability to stay warm in the cold sea. The shop, the visitor center, Boulders Beach, and Foxy Beach get closed at the mentioned time below. Due to the light breeze, it doesn’t get too hot. In the early 1980s, a pair of African penguins settled there. The busiest time for visiting is actually March-April, however. African Penguins used to be known as jackass penguins because of their distinctive braying, and they’re the only penguins found on the continent. If you need bedding material for pavers or pools, our Washed Concrete Sand fits the bill. In my opinion, it’s utterly worth it. The beaches are often busy; however, during the best time of the day, it is usually quieter. 16.47% of people who visit Cape Town include Boulders Beach in their plan. Also, the southeaster, often called "Cape Doctor" by the locals, can blow for days on end during summer. 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. 2 PM - 3 PM. Former called jackass penguins because of the donkey-like call, but other species have a similar call. 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. 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. But should you visit? They are so graceful when swimming in the water. 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. The main beach with viewing area is Foxy Beach. What a wonderful experience to watch hundreds of penguins arriving from their daily foraging. 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. Need a Vaccine? Here are only a few penguins. 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. There are plenty of places to stay in and around Cape Town: If you’re travelling on a budget, hostels are an option. Value in decimal degrees. And you can find them wandering in the locals' gardens too (below). No spam. In 1982 the first pair of African penguins settled at Boulders Beach and more followed. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins which settled there in 1982. Within a 5-minute walk of the vacation home, you'll find Boulders Beach and Simon's Town Country Club. 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. Usually, they mate forever and return to the same nesting site each year. Take a look through our photo library, read reviews from real guests and book now with our Price Guarantee. The human zoo is a concept that surfaces far too often in today's world. During the peak season, you can enter the beach with your ticket only. First, you see them in the far distance, jumping and swimming. You might consider Cape Town as a base if you’re staying for longer than a few days. Please, respect the requested 3 meters distance to the penguins. Also, don't touch or feed the penguins. Timings Monday to Sunday It's a protected area, fishing, smoking, and alcohol is prohibited! The money is used for conservation, and also prevents overcrowding. The closure time depends on the available daylight. 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. If you drive your own car, then you can park easily if one of the car parks at the entrance. When they reach the beach, waddle up to the nests, and feed the chicks that's an unforgettable experience. 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. Your email address will not be published. High-quality educational, informative and occasionally humorous content. Day temps are on average around 20°C and nights around 13°C. Here at Tourism Teacher we offer a range of staff training and development opportunities and consultancy services. By rental car, uber, or Taxi roughly one hour from W&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Required fields are marked *. Whilst some cat cafes are charitable ventures, others may demonstrate less philanthropic behaviour.