I arrived at the Penguin sanctuary at Boulders Beach, Cape Town and was just bowled over by how adorable these little African birds are! Cape Town has some of the world’s most scenic coast line and a great day trip is to drive down the coast until you reach the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, where Vasco do Gama and the early Portugese sailors navigated the horn of Africa to reach the East.
Boulders Beach is a sheltered bay in between two granite boulders and home to a penguin colony of over 2,000 strong. The first two pairs of breeding penguins were deposited in this sanctuary in 1982 and today the sanctuary is well protected. There are some calm beaches where people are allowed to swim but if you’d like to see the penguins, head over to Foxy’s Beach for the best view.
Once you arrive there, a “boardwalk” of sorts lets you get walk above the colony’s nesting sites and allows you to witness their funny little habits up close. I even captured a cute little video of one penguin smacking into another out of no where, which you can see on my instagram here. As you walk through the park, there are plenty of vendors offering paintings, jewelry and stone work if you’d like to do some shopping.
The African penguin is the only penguin to inhabit the African continent so it’s well worth a visit! Another great place to view them is at the Two Oceans Aquarium near Victoria’s Wharf – where you can even swim with them! To get to Boulders Beach, it’s best to rent a car or hire a driver. Cape Town’s public transport system is not recommended for tourists and having a car will allow you to fully explore the city’s gorgeous coast line. If you do have a car, continue driving on through Gordon’s Bay to visit another larger colony at Stony Point, Betty’s Bay.
If you’re interested in checking out more wildlife, read this guide to Cape Town’s outdoor experiences.
What are you most looking forward to in Cape Town?
Read more: Would you rather swim with penguins or sharks?
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I’m not used to penguins next to beaches, I usually only picture them on icebergs, so this looks so surreal to me! (and unbelievably cute, too). I can’t believe how perfectly blue that water is too! :)
Author
Hi Joyce! Ooh I would love to see them in Antarctica someday. They’re so fun to watch.
I’ve seen penguins walking on the ice and swimming. but over the sand? They are the cutest!
I always say that a Penguin is my spirit animal I absolutely adore them, your photography is so great. I had no Idea that there were over 2,000 of them in Cape Town thats so cool, really informative post. love it
Aww they’re so cute! Can’t beat a beach day, especially if it features penguins!
My heart has melted. They are just so cute! I saw tiny penguins on Philip Island in Oz, was such a lovely experience. Amazing pictures, as always.
They are so adorable! I’ve never seen them in wild though
These photos are so adorable! Love it!
Those penguins are too cute!! I love this and I really, really want to visit the Penguin Sanctuary now!
omg so adorable!!! I would love to see this in person. I’m so jealous u got to experience this!!
Great photo!!
Those little guys are so cute!! I sure it was an amazing experience to see them free on the nature,
Well done!
Nat
so jealous! i wanna see a real penguins, too! haha south africa is on my bucket list! <3
Awwww….how can one not go like that when seeing penguins! I lived in South Africa for a year and a half but never saw them, such a shame. They are the cutest thing
Author
oh wow Mar! That must have been a great adventure. Cape Town is such a beautiful, active city, I can see why people love living there.
Such cuties! I’ve never seen a penguin but your photos tell me they are super adorable! <3