Boulders Beach at a glance
Boulders is a section of Table Mountain National Park in Simon's Town. African penguins live among the granite boulders and on the beaches. The park has a viewing area with wooden boardwalks, and you watch from there. You keep to the boardwalks, and you do not feed or touch the birds.
You pay a conservation fee at the gate. It is a separate fee from Cape Point, so a day that includes both means two entries. The tariff changes on 1 November 2026, and the table below shows both periods so you do not mix them.
Boulders entry fees for 2026 and 2027
Prices in rand, per person. Adults are 12 and over, children 2 to 11. Children under 2 enter free.
| Visitor type | Adult until 31 Oct 2026 | Child until 31 Oct 2026 | Adult from 1 Nov 2026 | Child from 1 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | R245 | R120 | R282 | R138 |
| South African citizens and residents | R55 | R26 | R57 | R27 |
| SADC nationals | R110 | R55 | R118 | R59 |
Bring proof if you claim the South African or SADC rate. Payment is by card only. Since 10 February 2026, general day visitors do not need an indemnity form, and the gate scans ID to set the rate.
Our picks: Boulders Beach
A half-day trip with pickup, a combined peninsula half day or an entry ticket alone.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Cape Point and Boulders Beach in half a day
Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned minibus and water. Park entry extra for Cape Point and Boulders Beach; food, drinks and tips are not included.
Check availability →Penguins at Boulders Beach in half a day
Hotel pickup, a minibus, water and the Chapman's Peak toll. The Boulders Beach park entry is extra.
Check availability →
Boulders penguin colony entry ticket
A pre-booked entry ticket for the penguin colony. Nothing else is listed as included.
Check availability →Boulders Beach and penguin tours
Day trips from Cape Town to the penguins, Simon's Town and Cape Point, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours by season
The gate hours change through the year.
| Months | Gate hours |
|---|---|
| February, March, October, November | 08:00 to 18:30 |
| April to September | 08:00 to 17:00 |
| December and January | 07:00 to 19:30, and in places 19:00 |
In December and January the closing time differs from gate to gate, so plan to be out by 19:00 and check the sign at the entrance.
The penguin colony in 2026
The African penguin is listed as critically endangered. The 2026 count found 790 breeding pairs at Boulders, up from 698 the year before. The standard method puts the total at about 2,528 birds. Pairs and individuals are different numbers, so do not compare the two.
That is a good reason to follow the rules. The colony is protected, and the viewing area with its boardwalks is where you watch from.
Rules at the colony
These keep the birds and you out of trouble.
Stay on the boardwalks
Watch from the boardwalks in the viewing area.
Do not touch or feed
Touching and feeding the penguins are not allowed. No exact distance in metres is set, so leave plenty of room anyway.
No selfie sticks near the birds
Do not use a selfie stick through fences or close to penguins.
No dogs, no smoking
Dogs are not allowed on the beaches. Smoking is not allowed on the beach or boardwalks.
Swimming
There are no lifeguards. At high tide parts of the beach can be inaccessible.
Combining Boulders with Cape Point
Many visitors combine the penguins and Cape Point in one day. A full-day bus tour via Simon's Town to Cape Point was priced at R475 for adults and R425 for children aged 2 to 11 in January 2026. It included the Cape Point entry but not Boulders or lunch. Check the current price for your date.
Boulders and Cape Point are separate gates with separate fees, so on a self-drive day you pay at both. See the Cape Point page for hours and funicular fares. The national park guide lists all park fees in one table.
More to plan around the penguins
Pages for the rest of your trip.
Boulders Beach: frequently asked questions
How much does Boulders Beach cost?
Until 31 October 2026, international adults pay R245 and children aged 2 to 11 pay R120. From 1 November 2026 the fee is R282 for adults and R138 for children. Children under 2 enter free.
Can you touch or feed the penguins?
No. Touching and feeding are not allowed. Stay on the boardwalks in the viewing area.
Can I swim at Boulders Beach?
There are no lifeguards, and parts of the beach can be inaccessible at high tide. Do not count on a safe swim.
Are dogs allowed?
No, dogs are not allowed on the beaches. Smoking is not allowed on the beach or boardwalks either.
How many penguins are at Boulders?
The 2026 count found 790 breeding pairs, up from 698 the year before. The total is estimated at about 2,528 birds. The species is critically endangered.
Do I need a form to enter?
General day visitors have not needed an indemnity form since 10 February 2026. Bring ID, because the gate scans it to apply the right rate.