African Penguin - A Guide to Appreciate the Endangered Species

Did you know that Africa has its own penguins? Yep — the adorable African penguins, also called jackass penguins (because of their donkey-like bray 😅), are native to the southern coasts of Africa. Watching them waddle around and dive into the waves is easily one of the cutest experiences you can have on the Garden Route!

📍 Two Famous Spots: Stony Point & Boulders Beach

There are two main places to see penguins near Cape Town — Stony Point in Betty’s Bay and Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. Both are home to thriving penguin colonies, but they offer very different vibes (and prices!).

🪶 Our First Stop: Stony Point

We started at Stony Point, a quieter and more budget-friendly option. Entry costs R30 for locals and R50 for international visitors — pretty affordable for such a unique experience. The wooden boardwalk takes you through the colony, offering close views without disturbing the penguins.

When we visited around 4:30 PM, most penguins were already home from the sea and just chilling — lots of resting and preening. The place felt a bit too manicured, though, and honestly, it looked like there might even be more penguins outside the paid area 😂. It’s peaceful and scenic, but don’t expect too much movement if you come late in the day.

🌊 Next Up: Boulders Beach

Then we made our way to the famous Boulders Beach, and wow — what a difference! 🎉

This one is about three times more expensive, with tickets at R190 for adults and R95 for kids (international visitors). It’s definitely more touristy, but for good reason — the penguins here are everywhere! You’ll see them waddling across the sand, splashing in the waves, and treading the water like the expert swimmer they are.

You can choose between:

🚶 The boardwalk (Foxy Beach section) — great for watching penguins up close without getting wet.

🏖️ The swimming beach — where you can relax or swim near penguins (from a respectful distance, of course 🫶).

Getting that close to wild penguins felt surreal — it’s one of those rare travel experiences that’s totally worth the higher price tag.

☀️ When to Visit

We went to both spots around 4:30 PM to try to avoid the harsh sun 📸 but not the most active time for penguins. Most of them were already resting for the evening.

If you want to catch them diving, calling, or playing, try visiting in the morning when they’re full of energy.

💬 Final Thoughts

Both Stony Point and Boulders Beach have their own charm — one calm and local, the other lively and iconic.

If you’ve got time and budget, visit both for the full experience! But if you can only pick one, Boulders Beach wins for the atmosphere and sheer number of penguins 🐧💦

Would you pay extra for a chance to swim next to penguins? Let me know! 💬✨