Major city · South Africa
Simon's Town
Give Simon's Town one full day plus a night: penguins at Boulders at opening, naval museums, harbour lunch. Base here only if you want quiet, not nightlife.
Simon's Town sits on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula, about an hour by road from Cape Town and home to the South African Navy. It is small enough to cross on foot in under 30 minutes, and its main draw is the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach just south of town. Most visitors see it as a half-day stop on a Cape Peninsula drive; one night turns it into a calm base with penguins at dawn and the naval museums without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, warm, calm sea)
- avoid Jun–Aug (rain, wind, rough surf)
- Airport
- CPT
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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
Emergency numbers for Simon's Town112 ▾
- Police emergency from a mobile112
- Simon's Town police station021 786 1244
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 Simon's Town, 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
- SafetyCalmer than most of the Cape Town metro, but not crime-free: use bank ATMs, keep phones out of sight, avoid the western trails toward Red Hill…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police emergency from a mobile · 021 786 1244 Simon's Town police station (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 (About 1 h by car via the M3 and M4; no direct rail link from the airport.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable end to end in under 30 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR30–50
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseR140–280
- BeerDraught beer (500 ml)R40–70
- Museum or sight ticketBoulders Beach entry, adultabout R200 (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR 300
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 1,600
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 3,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 600 · Mid R 1,200 · High R 2,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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 (About 1 h by car via the M3 and M4; no direct rail link from the airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jul (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Simon's Town: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 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
The centre is walkable end to end in under 30 minutes. Rikki minibuses meet trains at the station and run to Boulders Beach; Golden Arrow buses link Fish Hoek, Simon's Town and Boulders. A car makes Boulders, Cape Point and the beaches much easier. Ride-hailing works but waits can be long at the southern end.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Boulders Beach
goDoor to door: 20–40 min
Rikki minibus or Golden Arrow bus from the station, or a 25–30 min walk south
Go at opening: fewer people, penguins active. Paid SANParks entry.
Cape of Good Hope
goDoor to door: 35–45 min
Drive the M65 and M4 south through Miller's Point and Scarborough
Combine with Boulders on one loop; park gates close in the evening.
Kalk Bay
goDoor to door: 25–35 min
Drive the M4 north, or train to Kalk Bay if the line is running
Harbour, vintage shops and a good lunch stop on the way back to Cape Town.
Muizenberg
goDoor to door: 35–45 min
M4 north past Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay
Surf schools and the coloured beach huts; best on a calm morning.
Fish Hoek
goDoor to door: 15–20 min
M4 north, or train to Fish Hoek
Closest town with a supermarket and a long swimming beach.
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
M3 and M4 north, or train with a change at Fish Hoek
Do it as a day trip rather than commuting both ways daily.
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.
St George's Street / town centre
Guesthouses, restaurants and the naval museums on foot; 10–15 min walk from the train station.
Waterfront and Jubilee Square
Harbour views and the Quayside complex; closest to the restaurants and the Just Nuisance statue.
Boulders / Seaforth
Walk to the penguin boardwalk and Seaforth Beach; quieter, fewer places to eat.
Murdoch Valley and Rocklands
Self-catering cottages with sea views; you need a car for everything.
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
- R600–1,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- R1,000–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- R1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × R 1,600 | R 1,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 1,200 | R 2,400 |
| Boulders Beach entry, adult2 × R 200 · check | R 400 |
| Sea kayak trip to the penguin colony2 × R 500 · check | R 1,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × R 150 | R 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 570 |
| Trip total≈ R 3,135 per person per day, bed included | R 6,270≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R30–50 |
| Fish and chips | R90–160 |
| Restaurant main course | R140–280 |
| Draught beer (500 ml) | R40–70 |
| Boulders Beach entry, adult | about R200 (check) |
| Rikki minibus, station to Boulders | R5–15 (check) |
| Petrol, 1 litre | R22–25 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- ATM distraction: someone may switch the machine to Afrikaans and 'help' you draw the largest note, then grab it. Use ATMs inside a bank or mall, or draw cash in Cape Town.
- Trails west of town toward the Red Hill settlement have a history of muggings; walk in a group, in daylight, and leave valuables behind.
- The rail line from Cape Town has been unreliable: check the current timetable and expect a change at Fish Hoek.
- Boulders Beach entry is a paid, ticketed SANParks site with set hours; buy at the gate or online and keep the ticket.
- Summer southeasters can shut the beaches and the kayak trips for a day or two.
Emergency numbers
- Police emergency from a mobile
- 112
- Simon's Town police station
- 021 786 1244
Pocket card
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Simon's TownSimon's Town
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Vat my asseblief na hierdie adresPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- Emergency from a mobile112
- Simon's Town police station021 786 1244
Embassy
No embassies in Simon's Town; consulates-general are in Cape Town. US citizens: consulate general in Cape Town (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- CPT airport → Simon's Town, taxi or ride-hail: about R600–900, 1–1.5 h (check)
- Rikki minibus, station → Boulders Beach: R5–15 (check)
- Boulders Beach entry, adult: about R200 (check)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
- Hoeveel is dit? — How much is it? (hoo-feel is dit)
- Waar is die strand? — Where is the beach? (vahr is dee strunt)
- Help my asseblief — Please help me (help may us-uh-bleef)
- Totsiens — Goodbye (tot-seens)
Tip 10–15% at restaurants if not already added; R5–10 for car guards and petrol attendants.
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 Simon's Town. 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: Oct–Apr (dry, warm, calm sea) · avoid Jun–Aug (rain, wind, rough surf) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CPT: drive times by traffic band, rail fallback via Fish Hoek, late-arrival plan.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: station and town centre, waterfront and Jubilee Square, Boulders and Seaforth, Murdoch Valley.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Boulders, naval museum, submarine museum, Just Nuisance grave) and eat pages with last orders.
- Penguin-season and southeaster fixtures so beach and kayak days can be re-planned.
Sources
- officialSimon's Town official site
- officialSANParks — Boulders Beach
- officialMetrorail Western Cape
- secondaryWikivoyage: Simon's Town, revision 5241142 (CC BY-SA 4.0)