Visit the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach (pay on site)

Meet the most charming residents of Boulders Beach: a lively colony of African penguin that has made this sheltered stretch of sand world-famous. Tucked among ancient granite boulders near Simon’s Town, the calm coves and soft sand make it a delightful place for a swim – sometimes with a tuxedo-clad neighbour waddling past! A wooden boardwalk leads you through the colony, with the best penguin viewing at nearby Foxy Beach, where the birds nest, squabble and generally steal the show. These endangered species are the only penguins on mainland Africa, and thanks to conservation efforts their colony here has grown to over 3,000 birds. This is where you make the cutest pictures, no doubt!