Last reviewed: September 2026

Two working African penguin colonies sit within a morning's drive of Cape Town, and they offer genuinely different visits. Boulders Beach in Simon's Town is the famous one: boardwalks, a swimming cove and penguins at arm's length of the lens. Stony Point in Betty's Bay is the locals' answer: quieter paths, often more birds, and a fraction of the fuss. You can happily see both, and this guide helps you choose which, or in what order.

Boulders Beach: the famous one

Boulders is its own section of Table Mountain National Park, just south of Simon's Town. The main viewing is from elevated boardwalks above Foxy Beach, where the colony nests in the dunes and vegetation. Nearby Boulders Beach is a sheltered swimming cove where penguins sometimes enter the water alongside visitors. It is the closest colony to Cape Town, the easiest to combine with Cape Point, and a strong choice for a first visit or young families.

The trade-off is popularity. On summer weekends and school holidays the boardwalks queue and the car parks fill; arriving early fixes most of it. Our Boulders Beach penguin guide covers the visit in detail, and our best-time guide narrows the hour if your day is tight.

Stony Point: the locals' favourite

Stony Point sits on the whale-route coastline at Betty's Bay, roughly 70 to 90 minutes from Cape Town in normal traffic and about 90 minutes by road from Simon's Town. CapeNature describes it as the world's third-largest breeding colony of African penguins. A boardwalk runs through the reserve, making it an appealing option for photographers and families. Entry fees and opening hours change, so check CapeNature's current details before you go.

The drive is half the point. The R44 along Clarence Drive is one of South Africa's great coastal roads, and in whale season the lookouts between Gordon's Bay and Rooi-Els double as whale-watching stops, which our False Bay whale guide explains in season terms.

Which colony should you choose?

Choose Boulders if this is your first penguin encounter, you are travelling with children who want the swimming cove as well as the birds, or you are basing the day around Cape Point. Choose Stony Point if you have seen Boulders before, you want the quieter, wilder version, or you are driving the whale coast for the day. Time-poor visitors with one slot should default to Boulders simply for access; the birds do not disappoint at either.

Can you visit both in one day?

Yes, and it makes a rewarding full-day loop. Start at Boulders near opening time, lunch in Simon's Town or Kalk Bay, then take the coastal R44 across to Stony Point for the afternoon boardwalk, returning via the N2 if daylight is running short. Always check both attractions' current hours before committing to the loop. Our two-day Simon's Town itinerary shows how the southern half fits a longer stay.

Where Aqua Terra fits

Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse sits above False Bay in Simon's Town, minutes from Boulders and an easy day-trip launch for Stony Point via Clarence Drive. It is an owner-managed, five-suite stay with breakfast from 08:00, secure gated parking and hosts who will tell you which colony is performing this week, because the birds keep their own schedule.

Check live availability for a Simon's Town stay, or message Garth on WhatsApp for the honest bird report.

The short answer

Boulders is the accessible, all-ages classic; Stony Point is the quieter, wilder favourite with often more penguins. First-timers start at Boulders; returners and photographers drive the whale coast to Betty's Bay. With a full day, do both.

Frequently asked questions

Which colony has more penguins?

Stony Point frequently has the larger visible count, though numbers at both colonies shift with breeding and moulting seasons. Treat any day's tally as a snapshot.

How far is Stony Point from Cape Town?

Allow around ninety minutes each way via the N2 and R44, longer if you stop at the Clarence Drive lookouts, which most people do.

Is Stony Point free to enter?

There is a modest entry fee that changes from time to time; confirm current details with CapeNature before travelling.

Can you swim with the penguins at Stony Point?

No. Stony Point is a boardwalk viewing colony; the swimming-and-penguins combination is Boulders' party trick.