Boulders Beach(Boulder's Beach, Boulders Bay)

Located near Simon’s Town on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town, South Africa, Boulders Beach - also known as Boulders Bay - is a small white sand beach with unique granite rock formations. The beach is part of the well-known Table Mountain National Park and is adjacent to Foxy Beach. It has a spectacular backdrop of gigantic granite boulders, dunes, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, which together add allure to its beauty.  

Boulders Beach is immensely popular for its resident colony of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus), protected under the Cape Nature Conservation Program. Boulders Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by UK-based financial website Money.co.uk and ranked 12th best beach by Big 7 Travel, and it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. The beach is one of the few places in the world where you can observe these endangered birds up close in their natural habitat. The penguin colony at Boulders Beach started in 1982 with just two breeding pairs. Today, it has grown to over 3,000 birds, making it a major tourist attraction in Cape Town and drawing a large influx of visitors. The beach has elevated boardwalks that allow visitors to observe the penguins without disturbing their habitat. In addition, the beach is a site for educational programs and conservation efforts to protect penguins and their environment. Also, conservationists have installed artificial nest boxes to provide safe nesting sites for the penguins, helping to boost their breeding success. Despite being in a protected area, the Boulders Beach penguins face threats from natural predators, human disturbance, and environmental changes.

Boulders Beach offers many amenities, including lifeguards, restrooms, shaded areas, an information center, three boardwalks, and one observation deck.

Boulders Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, rock pooling, watching wildlife, photography, and hiking. If you plan to go into the water, it is a sheltered inlet, making it a safe area to swim. There are elevated boardwalks present on the beach, so visitors can observe the endangered African penguins in their natural environment. It is worth noting that the beach is a designated protected area, aimed at preserving its natural beauty and ecosystem. If you enjoy rock pooling, the beach opens up into a wide expanse of hidden coves, rock pools, and streams at low tide, offering endless opportunities for exploring and observing rich marine life. Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity. If you enjoy photography, there is a point on the beach known for taking the best Boulders Beach photos. The spectacular views of this renowned beach make it a photographer's delight. The beach is ideal for visitors looking for a tranquil beach experience. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

Boulders Beach offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Boulders Beach is easy - the beach has a small parking lot located near Bellevue Road, Simon's Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa. It is worth noting that visitors have to buy a Boulders Beach ticket to access the beach. South African citizens and residents have to pay 45 South African Rand per person, whereas international tourists have to pay 190 South African Rand as a Boulders Beach entry fee.

Interestingly, this beach is named after the large granite boulders present right on the beach, which are believed to be around 540 million years old and protect the beach from strong winds and large waves, creating a safe and sheltered environment.

There are many attractions near Boulders Beach.  Table Mountain National Park plays a significant role in protecting the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain and its unique fynbos vegetation. The park is home to a large array of mostly endemic fauna and flora and contains two well-known landmarks: the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain and the famous Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, fishing, scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, windsurfing, rock climbing, paragliding, watching wildlife, and horseback riding. The Simon's Town Museum is a small museum that provides interesting insight into the rich maritime history of the Simon's Town community through artifacts, photographs, maps, and models detailing the town’s naval and maritime history. Admiral's Waterfall is a famous waterfall that cascades into a pool, where visitors can enjoy a refreshing dip. It is easily accessible via a short trek through a lush green forest.   

Simon's Town is a charming coastal town known for its rich maritime past. It was once a key British naval base, and it remains the headquarters of the South African Navy. The town is a unique blend of cultures, including Khoi, Dutch, British, and Cape Malay, which is reflected in its architecture and vibrant community life. Visitors can enjoy hiking, water sports, and exploring the scenic Cape Peninsula. If you are looking for another nearby attraction, The Martello Towers are 12-meter-high circular towers built by the British in 1796 to protect against potential French naval threats during the Napoleonic Wars. It is positioned on a hill overlooking the harbor, and the towers are equipped with a large cannon mounted on their roof. Over time, it was used as a signal station and a storage facility. Today, it stands as a fascinating historical monument within the South African Naval Museum precinct, offering visitors insights into 18th-century military engineering and Simon's Town's rich naval history.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a four-minute walk of Boulders Beach. Seaforth Restaurant serves salads, wraps, burgers, pasta, seafood, steaks, meat, and poultry dishes. The Lighthouse Cafe serves amazing seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Cafe Pescado serves salads, burgers, steaks, pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes. Saveur Restaurant serves delicious salads, steaks, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes. If you are looking for another affordable nearby restaurant, Simon's Town Country Club Restaurant serves eggs, sandwiches, salads, seafood, beef, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a Boulders Beach hotel, there are many great options nearby. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the beachfront 4-Star Tintswalo Boulders Boutique Villa is two minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including a rooftop pool, a spa, a hot tub, and a restaurant. A more affordable option is the 4-Star Whale View Manor And Spa, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool with a deck, a hot tub, a spa, and a restaurant. Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Froggy Pond Resort, which has a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and a restaurant. A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Boulders Beach Hotel, Bayella Cafe, and Curios, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a courtyard, and a restaurant. If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, The Cheriton Guest House, Cape Town offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, hot tubs, a pub, and a game room.