When can you see penguins in Cape Town?
Summer is prime time to visit Boulders, and its when you’ll see the most penguin action. However, you can see the penguins throughout the year. Between September and October the birds spend much time feeding out at sea, so there are fewer penguins on the beach.
Where can I see penguins in South Africa?
Boulders beach
Seven of these support 80% of the world’s African penguin population. The most important in South Africa are Dassen Island, St Croix Island, Robben Island, Bird Island, Dyer Island and Boulders beach (technically not an island).
What beach in Cape Town has the penguins?
Boulders Beach
The beautiful Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s most visited beaches and the only place in the world where you get close to African Penguins.
Where are the penguins found in Cape Town?
It is located on the Cape Peninsula, in Simon’s Town, a suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is also commonly known as Boulders Bay. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins which settled there in 1982….
| Boulders Beach | |
|---|---|
| Access | Kleintuin Road, Simon’s Town |
Can you touch the penguins at Boulders Beach?
Although the penguins are likely to come within touching distance, visitors are not allowed to make contact with them. This is for their safety and yours, as they have sharp beaks and will use them to defend themselves if they feel threatened. Boulders Beach is part of a Marine Protected Area and is a no-take zone.
How many Cape penguins are there?
As of 2018, the African penguin is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Its population is approximately 50,000 birds and declining.
Can you touch a penguin?
Penguin predators like skuas and giant petrels are only too ready to seize any opportunity to feed themselves and their own offspring. Even if a penguin comes extremely close to you, however, remember: you’re not allowed to touch or hold them.
What is the entry fee to Cape Point?
Buy Entry Tickets
| Description | Adults | Kids* |
|---|---|---|
| South Africans (with ID)** | R85 | R40 |
| Standard Entry | R340 | R170 |
| SADC Nationals | R170 | R85 |
Where to see the African penguin in Cape Town?
The ancient granite boulders on the beach, hence the name Boulders Beach, provides shelter for the African penguin from the strong winds and large waves that occur frequently. Boulders Beach forms part of Table Mountain National Park, which belongs to Sanparks.
How many species of penguins are there in Africa?
There are 17 seventeen known species of penguins in the world, but the ‘African penguin’ is the only one which inhabits the African continent and its inshore islands. Those flightless, aquatic birds have remained wonders for quite some time.
Where to see the Penguins at Boulders Beach?
There are two main areas to find the penguins, both with parking areas and both included within the same entrance fee. There’s simply a long wooden boardwalk between the two beaches. Boulders Beach is where you view the penguins from a deck, and Foxy Beach is where you can enter the water with the penguins.
How did the black footed penguin get its name?
The ‘Black-footed penguin’ is another name for this species. It is also widely known as the ‘Jackass penguin’, due to the donkey-like braying sounds it produces on land. The term ‘African penguin’ has been adopted to distinguish it from the Jackass penguin found in South America.