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Find a Penguin Playmate in Simonstown, South Africa
Published by Bethany Anderson, Writer
Country: South Africa 
The Experience
When the sun comes up over False Bay, the African Penguins start to play! Boulders Beach in Simonstown, South Africa is home to the one of the mainland's largest colonies of African Penguins, formerly called Jackass penguins, named so for their donkey-like mating calls! You can sit on a bench overlooking the beauty of False Bay, with over 2,500 curious African Penguin companions at your side. "How romantic," you say?
In fact it is. South African Penguins are extremely loyal, generally keeping one mate for several years. What better day to bask in such a bond, than on Valentine's Day. Experiencing this beautiful phenomenon, will leave you spellbound, despite that the African Penguins likely won't acknowledge you're even there. Busy wooing one another with their bray-like calls, love abounds in the air, by the water and on the rocks!
There is something special to be said when man and beast commune together in nature. At False Bay, part of the Table Mountain National Park, the adorable waddles of these African Penguins will steal your heart and charm your senses with their well-accustomed behaviour. Characteristically shy, the African Penguins have become comfortable with their tight quarters, frequently splashing around nearby swimmers and scurrying past beach blankets to get to their nests. A highlight for lovers and travelers alike, taking time to stop and soak-in the African sun, while watching happy penguin feet tap to the rhythm of the nearby crashing waves is an experience not to be missed!
In fact it is. South African Penguins are extremely loyal, generally keeping one mate for several years. What better day to bask in such a bond, than on Valentine's Day. Experiencing this beautiful phenomenon, will leave you spellbound, despite that the African Penguins likely won't acknowledge you're even there. Busy wooing one another with their bray-like calls, love abounds in the air, by the water and on the rocks!
There is something special to be said when man and beast commune together in nature. At False Bay, part of the Table Mountain National Park, the adorable waddles of these African Penguins will steal your heart and charm your senses with their well-accustomed behaviour. Characteristically shy, the African Penguins have become comfortable with their tight quarters, frequently splashing around nearby swimmers and scurrying past beach blankets to get to their nests. A highlight for lovers and travelers alike, taking time to stop and soak-in the African sun, while watching happy penguin feet tap to the rhythm of the nearby crashing waves is an experience not to be missed!
When to Go to African Penguins
The Simonstown African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach is generally plentiful year-round, but the weather between July and December can be cooler and windier, so you may find the penguins hiding under rocks. It's best to find a penguin playmate when the sun is shining, between December and June.
Put this on your list of 'must-sees' in South Africa, because although this particular colony of penguins is well-protected, the African Penguin is listed as an endangered species.
Put this on your list of 'must-sees' in South Africa, because although this particular colony of penguins is well-protected, the African Penguin is listed as an endangered species.
Odds n' Ends
Another area to check out the African Penguin is on Robben Island, which also houses the prison where former South African President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the Apartheid era.
Places to Eat
- Boulders Beach Lodge & Restaurant
- A fusion of international cuisine with local fresh produce.
- Salty Sea Dog
- Best fish & chips in town. Located on Wharf Street, right in the heart of Simonstown.
- Fluke's (Southern Right Hotel)
- Specializing in variety and beautiful bay-side views.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Glencove Lodge
- A beautiful self-catering lodge situated on False Bay and only an 8-minute drive to Boulders Beach! Glencove Lodge, 112 Main Road, Glencairn, 7995, Simon's Town, Cape Peninsula, South Africa
- Southern Right Hotel
- A quaint little hotel in Glencairn, right near the ocean!
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Welcome to The Winston, your 4-star accommodation in Simon's Town South Africa, a short driving distance from Cape Town. Simon's Town is rich in beaches, ... 1 miles away
$650 ZAR+
The High Gables Bed & Breakfast is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Simon's Town.All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected ... 1 miles away
$380 ZAR+
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More Experiences Nearby
- A Case in Point: Cape Point Nature Reserve, South Africa
- There’s nothing better to do on a hot summer day in South Africa then to visit Cape Point Nature Reserve on the Cape Peninsula, a place synonymous with wind. Explorer Sir Francis Drake claimed that Cape Point was “The most stately thing and the fairest Cape [he’d seen] in the whole circumference of the earth.” Although he witnessed the Cape over 400 years ago, the man wasn’t lying! This famous section of the Table Mountain National Park, close to Cape Town, has over 7,750 hectares of untouched wildlife, and 40 km of coastline. The overall space and diversity of this ...4 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
After an early morning departure you'll reach the beautiful Aquila Game Reserve to be taken on a game drive by an experienced ranger. Optimal game ...19.17 miles away via Cape Town.
$180+
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Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
You'll see glorious Hout Bay and have the option of taking a half-hour boat trip to Duiker Island to see Cape fur seals (not included ...
Starting from $60.23 per person.
Starting from $60.23 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
- African Penguins
- Learn more about the African penguins that reside in the Boulders Beach colony in Simonstown, South Africa
- Cape Town penguins
- Learn about the penguins of Cape Town.
Media References
- Boulders Cape Town Attractions - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- A Getaway At the Tip of Africa - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- AMONG the latest visitors to discover the pleasures of False Bay, at the tip of Africa, are jackass penguins, which soar out of the Indian Ocean water and, with a Charlie Chaplin tramp walk, scurry up Boulders Beach to nest in the thick, sloping brush behind the ivory sand.
- The Cape Town Area's Endless Possibilities - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- A toddler squeals with delight alongside a jumble of boulders, plunking herself thigh high into a sloshing emerald pool within inches of dozens of honking African penguins that squirt in and out of the water like large self-propelled watermelon seeds.
- Bagging Bargains in Cape Town, South Africa - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- The inhabited world seems to peter out at Noordhoek Beach, a five-mile strip of white sand bordered by verdant cliffs, on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula 15 miles southwest of Cape Town.
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Hindi 
,
Portugese
are some of the languages spoken in South Africa. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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