If you like penguins, you should go to Simon’s Town, which is about an hour from Cape Town. The Boulders Penguin Colony can be found on three beautiful beaches. The charismatic black-and-white endangered African penguin colony numbers around 2,000 individuals.
The birds can be found lounging on the sand and surrounding granite boulders, as well as swimming in the bay. The water is very clear and calm here, and because the boulders protect it from winds and currents, it is also a good swimming spot if you can brave the icy water temperatures.
To visit the penguins on the beach, you must pay a conservation fee to the Table Mountain National Marine Protected Area, which helps to preserve their habitat. The best places to see penguins are from a boardwalk at Foxy Beach.
After you’ve had your fill of penguins, make your way to Simon’s Town for lunch. The town also serves as the location of South Africa’s largest naval base.
Boulders Beach is the most popular recreational area, but the penguins are best seen from Foxy Beach, where newly constructed boardwalks bring visitors within a few metres of the birds. It is also a popular swimming beach, though visitors are limited to beaches near the penguin colony.