A naval town with a historic main street and a protected colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach, where boardwalks pass the nesting area. The Simon's Town Museum and the Just Nuisance statue are on St George's Street. Boulders visitor centre: +27 21 786 2329.
Simon's Town is a naval town on the western shore of False Bay, about 40 km south of Cape Town on the Cape Peninsula. It is reached by car in 50 minutes to 1 hour via the M3 and M4 through Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, or by Metrorail's Southern Line in about 1 hour 15 minutes for R15 to R35. The train runs in daytime only and should be checked at metrorail.co.za before departure.
The main attraction is the protected colony of African penguins at Boulders Beach, accessible from the visitor centre on Kleintuin Road, where boardwalks pass the nesting area and sheltered coves. Entry for international adults is about R190 to R230, and the visitor centre can be reached on +27 21 786 2329. The Foxy Beach entrance has a boardwalk and viewing platforms where penguins can be seen at close range. In Simon's Town itself, St George's Street holds the Simon's Town Museum, the statue of Just Nuisance, the Great Dane that became an honorary navy dog, plus cafes, antique shops and the naval harbour front.
A suggested day starts with the early drive or train to reach Boulders by 09:00, before tour buses arrive. After an hour or two with the penguins, visitors can walk or drive into town for a stroll along St George's Street, visit the museum and have lunch at a harbour-side restaurant, where fish and chips are common. The afternoon can be used for a swim at one of the sheltered Boulders beaches or a drive on to Cape Point before returning.
The colony is present year-round, with December to January being the moulting and breeding peak. Summers are busy and parking at the visitor centre can fill by mid-morning, so an early arrival is practical. Penguins should be observed from the boardwalks and not touched, since they bite. Food stops are plentiful in Simon's Town and in Kalk Bay or Fish Hoek on the way.
| Distance | About 40 km south of Cape Town |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 50 minutes to 1 hour each way by car |
| Getting there | Car: M3 and M4 via Muizenberg and Fish Hoek (50 minutes to 1 hour) |
| Cost | Boulders Penguin Colony about R190-R230 (approx $12-$14) per international adult; train R15-R35 (approx $0.91-$2.12) |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Kleintuin Road, Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, 7995, South Africa |
How to get there
- Hire car: 50 minutes to 1 hour, R350-R600 (approx $21-$36) per day plus fuel
- Uber or Bolt: 50 minutes to 1 hour, R450-R700 (approx $27-$42) one way
- Metrorail Southern Line to Simon's Town: about 1 hour 15 minutes, R15-R35 (approx $0.91-$2.12); daytime only, check metrorail.co.za first
- Guided Peninsula tour: R900-R1,700 (approx $55-$103) per person
Location
Kleintuin Road, Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, 7995, South Africa
-34.1978, 18.4519 View on map
Highlights
- Watch African penguins from the Boulders Beach boardwalks
- Swim in the sheltered granite coves alongside the penguins
- Walk St George's Street and visit the Simon's Town Museum
- See the statue of Just Nuisance, the navy's honorary Great Dane
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 09:00 to see the penguins before tour buses and avoid parking congestion.
- Take the Metrorail Southern Line only on daytime services and check the timetable first.
- Do not touch the penguins; they bite and are protected.
- Combine with Cape Point as a full Peninsula day by car.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the boardwalks have little shade.
When to visit
Year-round, with December to January for moulting and breeding; arrive early morning for fewer crowds.
Accessibility
The boardwalks at Foxy Beach and the visitor centre are largely flat and wheelchair-friendly, while the beach access involves sand and steps. St George's Street has accessible pavements in most sections.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How much does Boulders Penguin Colony cost?
Entry is about R190 to R230 per international adult. Prices change, so check at sanparks.org before travelling.
Can Simon's Town be reached by train?
Yes, Metrorail's Southern Line takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and costs R15 to R35, but it runs in daytime only and can be unreliable.
When is the best time to see the penguins?
They are present year-round, with December and January the moulting and breeding peak. Early morning is quietest.
Can visitors swim at Boulders Beach?
Yes, in designated areas of the sheltered coves, but the penguin nesting area is fenced off.