Our first adventure in Cape Town took us down to Simon’s Town to visit the famous African penguins. If you're curious to dive deeper into their history, how they ended up in this idyllic location, and the best times and places to see them, here’s a fantastic article that covers it all.
Index of Contents
Seaforth Beach
We began our day at Seaforth Beach, where we were immediately surrounded by these tuxedoed creatures. The penguins seemed entirely unfazed by the humans sharing their beach, casually waddling past us without a care in the world. It was a surreal experience, being so close to these wild animals that seemed almost domesticated by their interactions with people.
The Willis Walk
Our next stop was the entrance to Boulders Beach, but before shelling out for tickets, we opted for a leisurely stroll along the Willis Walk. This boardwalk, which is free and wheelchair accessible, offers some incredible sneak peeks at penguins nesting under the shrubs. The area is dotted with purpose-built nesting sites designed to encourage the penguin population to flourish. If you’re planning a visit, don’t skip this part of the experience—it’s an intimate glimpse into their lives that’s hard to beat.
During our walk, we also encountered the Dassie, a small, furry creature that’s about the size of a large guinea pig. This curious little animal, which looks like a cross between a rabbit and an oversized guinea pig, is actually the closest living relative to the African elephant. I know—it sounds completely absurd, but it’s true. We saw more of these critters as we continued our journey, including one sunning itself atop a hut. The connection to elephants is a fun fact that’s sure to make you smile as you watch them scurry about.
Boulders Beach
Finally, we entered the official Boulders Beach area. While the beach was undeniably beautiful, the northern end was so windy we were nearly blown off our feet. We didn’t linger too long in that spot, but the visit became unforgettable when we stumbled upon something in the gift shop that I’ll never forget.
Back in 2013, Mark ‘adopted’ a penguin for me for Christmas through an organization called the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). He named the penguin Maverick, in memory of my cat who had passed away earlier that year. At the time, we never imagined we’d visit the very place where SANCCOB operates. So when we walked into the Boulders Beach gift shop and saw a sign stating that purchases benefited SANCCOB, my heart nearly stopped. Maverick, my adopted penguin, had been found in Cape Town. While life in the wild can be tough for these penguins, their average lifespan is about 20 years, so there’s a real possibility that Maverick is still out there somewhere. Maybe we even saw him that day. (Cue heart-melting moment!)
Dinner at Dixies
To wrap up the day, we headed to a local restaurant recommended by our Airbnb host—Dixies. This casual spot, right along the bay, offered a relaxed atmosphere and some pretty good food. Mark enjoyed his first South African beer while I savored a glass of local wine. We indulged in two appetizers, two entrees, dessert, two beers, and a glass of wine—all for about $48. The US dollar definitely stretches a bit further here!
Did You Know?
African penguins, often called "jackass penguins" due to their donkey-like bray, are the only penguin species that breed on the African continent. Boulders Beach is one of the few places where you can get this close to them, making it a must-see for anyone visiting the Cape Peninsula.
Conservation Note
The African penguin population has sadly been in decline due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and oil spills. Organizations like SANCCOB are crucial in their efforts to rehabilitate injured and sick penguins and to protect the species from further decline. If you visit, consider supporting their work—it makes a world of difference for these incredible creatures.
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