Located in Simon's Town on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula in southern Cape Town, South Africa, Boulders Beach forms part of Table Mountain National Park. Also commonly known as Boulders Bay, this coastal destination sits right within a residential area while remaining bordered by indigenous bush above the high-water mark. You can reach the region via Cape Town to access this sheltered stretch of coastline, which overlooks the clear waters of False Bay.
The beach itself comprises several small, sheltered inlets and bays partially enclosed by massive granite boulders that are 540 million years old. These ancient rocks frame calm, clear waters, earning global recognition—including ranking among the world's best beaches in the Golden Beach Awards and The World’s Best—for its natural beauty, safe swimming spots, and warm water. While recreational swimming is popular, human access is restricted to specific beaches adjacent to the protected wildlife zone.
The atmosphere at Boulders Beach is defined by a unique combination of leisure and wildlife conservation. Settled in 1982, an endemic and critically endangered colony of African penguins roams freely in their protected natural environment. From an initial two breeding pairs, the population grew to around 3,000 birds. Newly constructed boardwalks at nearby Foxy Beach let you view these remarkable birds at close range, just a few meters away, surrounded by coastal bush and granite formations.
Boulders Beach is ideally suited for families, casual swimmers, and nature enthusiasts seeking a safe, picturesque coastal experience paired with up-close wildlife viewing. Thanks to the sheltered nature of the granite bays and the calm waters of False Bay, swimmers enjoy secure conditions, while wildlife lovers can walk the boardwalks to observe the penguin colony. It offers a rare opportunity to relax on a world-class beach while supporting the preservation of a critically endangered species.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Car / Road | Located in Simon's Town on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula, in the southern region of Cape Town, South Africa. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-13 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- Human swimming and beach access are restricted to designated beaches adjacent to the penguin colony.
- The best close-range penguin viewing is from the newly constructed boardwalks at neighboring Foxy Beach.
- The beach forms part of Table Mountain National Park, protecting the endemic and critically endangered African penguins.