Boulders Beach in South Africa is one of the best places in the world to see African Penguins in the their wild, natural habitat. We had the chance to visit a couple years back, here’s a look at our experience at Boulders Beach.
The Journey From Cape Town
The journey to Boulders Beach from Cape Town took about an hour and was filled with rugged coastal views and several scenic lookout points along the way. The route hugged the coastline and wound through picturesque towns like Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town and several historical landmarks. We also spotted some awesome wildlife like Ostriches, Baboons, and Elands.
Visitor Center
Upon arriving at Boulders Beach, our experience began at the visitor center, managed by SANParks, where we learned about the endangered African penguins and the conservation efforts dedicated to their protection.
View From The Visitor Center
Boardwalk To Boulder’s Beach
From there we were provided a lunch before we headed over to the wooden boardwalk that took us through beach scrub to the protected area, where we could observe the penguins up close without disturbing their habitat.
Rock Hyrax
Along the walk, we also spotted wildlife such as rock hyraxes (often called “dassies”) – which actually count Elephants as their closest living relatives – as well as seabirds, and colorful marine life in the tidal pools. 
African Penguin Nesting (and Mating) Areas
The nesting areas at Boulders Beach are carefully protected, with sandy burrows and shaded spots where the African penguins lay their eggs and care for their chicks.
During mating season, the penguins can often be seen displaying fascinating courtship behaviors, such as bowing, calling, and preening, adding a unique charm to the visit.
Boulder’s Beach
The African penguins at Boulders Beach were a delight to watch, as they are the only penguin species found on the African continent and have made this beach a crucial breeding ground for their endangered population.
Leaving Boulders Beach
Our visit to Boulders Beach was an amazing and unique experience, as we had the chance to see the African penguins up close and personal in their own protected environment. If you love wildlife like us, Boulders Beach is totally worth checking out.
