Penguin Fun-Visiting Boulders Beach-South Africa

Posted on by obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE, THIS POST MAY INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I'LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISION. THIS WILL COME AT NO COST TO YOU.

It was one of those rare days when the Travel Channel actually had a show on about travel. It was a show counting down the best 100 beaches in the world. Using the show as background noise, the overly animated, voice over guy, suddenly grabbed my attention. He touted a beach in South Africa where hundreds of penguins freely frolic.

I sprang from my spot on the sofa, bounded up the stairs, and burst into my husband’s home office.

“THERE’S A BEACH IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH PENGUINS. WE HAVE TO GO THERE!!!!!!” He stopped what he was doing, looked up, and in his usual even tone said,

“Put it on The List.”

We visited Boulders Beach, in Simon’s Town, South Africa, as part of City Sightseeing’s, Cape Point and Penguin Day Tour (I’ll talk more about the overall tour in the next post).

I am a voracious reader of bloggers and watcher of vloggers, so I knew what to expect prior to our visit to Boulders Beach.

In my wildest imagination, I’d skip along the beach like the Pied Piper, while a line of penguins waddled behind me. Or, I’d teach the penguins an expertly choreographed flash mob dance. At the very least, I’d sit on the beach while the penguins happily snuggled me.

This is the reality of visiting Boulders Beach.

The penguins do frolic on the beach, but visitors are relegated to boardwalks and viewing decks.

I didn’t mind. After witnessing a girl persistently trying to hug a seal on a beach in California, I am all for protecting the penguins from stupidity.

Plus, it was nice being able to get pictures of penguins without people in the shot. And oh, did I take pictures of penguins.

They were adorable.

They looked so snugly.

I could have watched them all day.

Because we were on a tour, we only had one hour to spend at Boulders Beach. I didn’t feel cheated for time. I got to do what I wanted to do and live my dream of seeing my beach penguins.

If you asked me what a perfect Boulders Beach trip would be, I’d say….

Drive to one of the towns near Simon’s Town. Stay the night.
Get to Boulders Beach at opening, before the crowds and tour buses.
Spend lots of time watching penguins.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the cute little towns in the area, perusing the shops, and eating at cafes.

Travel is always fun, but there is something extra magical about having an enthusiastic longing to visit a place, and finally getting to be there. I’ll always remember getting to see my penguins on Boulders Beach.

Here’s a little taste of the tour with commentary on our drive to Boulders Beach.

If you’re looking for a great travel community to join, check out WeekendWanderlust

animals beach cape town south africa travel

obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

Loretta Sisco
at

So cool, I only think of snow and penguins. I never thought of them on a beach. Great pix!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  Thanks. I know, I until I saw that Travel Channel Special I thought the same thing. I was glad since I hate the cold. It was nice to see penguins somewhere sunny.
Victoria Marie Lees
at

Oh. My. Gosh! These penguins are too cute. You are so lucky, Sarah. You go to the neatest places. As always, I love all the pictures and videos that you include. Thanks for sharing this with your followers.
Anne I Travellers Archive
at

Nice! Been there myself and really liked it!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  It’s a great place to visit.
Maggie
at

You’re opening made me laugh – why is it called the Travel Channel anyway?! Haha. But I had no idea you couldn’t actually walk on the beach! That’s good to know! This is a fun post!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  Thanks. I was glad I knew ahead of time that you can’t actually frolic with the penguins. I think if I didn’t know that beforehand, I might have been disappointed.
Ruth
at

It is almost impossible not to include this place on a bucket list. As a fan of wildlife, I would love, love to see penguins! And, they are so cute! Having a walkway seems logic to me. It is better to protect the penguins from people who do not know how to behave. Here in California, it is like that in major wildlife viewing points. It allows humans to observe the animals without disturbing them.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  Having an hour was great, but I could have spent at least half a day watching them. It was especially fun watching them waddle down to the water. They just looked so joyful.
Elaine
at

The penguins are so cute! That is a dream day for me. You are so lucky. Maybe someday.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  I hope you get there someday.
Jill
at

Even if I was relegated to a boardwalk viewing platform and only had an hour, I would still love to visit Boulders Beach. Penguins are definitely worth it. I’ve only seen them in the zoo – someday I’ll see them in person!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  Seeing them in person was so worth it. They look so happy freely running around. If I were a penguin I think I’d much rather be a beach penguin than an iceberg penguin.
Brooke of Passport Couture
at

My reaction towards penguins on the beaches of South Africa was the same as yours. I would love to see it myself someday! I love your photos of all of the snuggly, happy penguins.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  It was fun to see them so happy and running around on the beach. I really loved the sleepy, snugly, ones.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
at

You and I really do follow each other around the world. Where are we going next? I would like to start planning! p.s Like you I loved Boulders. In fact I loved it so much I have been there on two separate trips.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  Boulders Beach was so much fun. I feel like I have to seek out more penguin destinations. You better start planning to visit Alaska since that’s where we are going next.
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)
at

Yeah, okay…but I still want to see the Penguin Flash Mob Dance. Just sayin’. 😉 What an awesome way to spend a day! Totally with you – this is a must for the Bucket List. So glad Mr. Announcer Guy caught your attention, and you shared it with us on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
  at
  
  I know the Flash Mob would have been awesome. I imagine I would teach them Uptown Funk. That would be an awesome penguin dance.