Boulders Bay - Penguins!

It surprises many people to find that despite the heat there is a thriving penguin colony just to the south of Cape Town.

Just a forty minute drive from the city centre you will find the small suburb of Simon's Town. And in 1982 a pair of penguins made it their home.

It's part of the broader Table Mountain National Park and these endangered African Penguins have thrived to now be about 3000 birds. They've been helped by restrictions on trawling in False Bay and some human intervention over the years. There's a specific visitor centre and you can also get access to the shallow inlets of a separate beach where you can paddle right next to penguins. On occasion they can be seen walking along the main street.

There is a café at the south end of the beach area and Simon's Town has some restaurants. You will also find a couple of small museums in the town. Driving probably makes the best sense - there is a station at Simon's Town but it's not the quickest train out of Cape Town.

Alternatively you could take one of the tours that includes Boulders as part of the route. Here's one option, just click on the image for details.

Bo-Kaap, Chapman's Peak, Boulders Bay, Cape of Good Hope full day tour (entry fees not included).