Major city · South Africa
Boulders Beach
Visit Boulders Beach as a half‑day stop from Cape Town or Simon's Town; 3–4 h including travel, penguin viewing and beach time.
Boulders Beach is a small, sheltered beach famous for its African penguin colony. It is best enjoyed as a half‑day visit from Cape Town or Simon's Town, with easy access by car or train and a modest entry fee.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- All year (penguins present year‑round)
- avoid Dec–Jan (peak summer crowds, check parking availability)
- Airport
- CPT
- Nights
- 0 (day trip)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Boulders Beach112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Boulders Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyBoulders Beach is safe; watch for slippery rocks, keep distance from penguins, and secure valuables on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCPT Cape Town International Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) (≈1 h drive) to Boulders Beach).CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) (≈1 h drive) to Boulders Beach).
- Getting aroundDrive via M3/M4 (≈30 min from Cape Town) or take MetroRail to Simon's Town (3 km (1.9 mi) walk or local taxi).Drive via M3/M4 (≈30 min from Cape Town) or take MetroRail to Simon's Town (1.9 mi (3 km) walk or local taxi).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) (≈1 h drive) to Boulders Beach)CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) (≈1 h drive) to Boulders Beach)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Aug
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (7 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Boulders Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Jul
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Drive via M3/M4 (≈30 min from Cape Town) or take MetroRail to Simon's Town (3 km walk or local taxi). Park at the lot and walk to the penguin viewing spots.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Simon’s Town
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
MetroRail from Cape Town (≈45 min) then 3 km (1.9 mi) walk or taxiMetroRail from Cape Town (≈45 min) then 1.9 mi (3 km) walk or taxi
Historic naval town, shops and restaurants.
Cape Point
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Drive M3/M4 south, about 30 min from Boulders
Scenic viewpoint and lighthouse.
Chapman's Peak Drive
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Drive M3 north to the turnoff, about 20 min
Panoramic coastal road, photo spots.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Boulders Beach Lodge
Rooms a few metres from the beach entrance; basic but cheap. Alternative accommodation in Simon's Town offers more options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R300–R500 excl. bed
- Mid
- R500–R800 excl. bed
- High
- R800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Boulders Beach entry (foreign adult) | R152 |
| Boulders Beach entry (local) | R76 |
| Taxi from Simon's Town station to beach | R30–R50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Entry fee R152 for foreign adults, R76 for locals; fee required before beach access.
- Limited daily visitor slots; arrive early (10 am) to avoid full capacity.
- Do not touch or feed penguins; they may bite.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Boulders BeachBoulders Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Boulders Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: All year (penguins present year‑round) · avoid Dec–Jan (peak summer crowds, check parking availability) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Boulders Beach
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