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Forget ice and snow, this rowdy colony of African penguins are hitting the sun-drenched beaches and breaking all the rules. Join the ride … this town is gonna get painted black and white!(Credit: Netflix)
Yes, it's true!! You can now watch the beautiful and endangered African penguins of Boulders Beach, in Simon's Town on Netflix! Penguin Town - launched on 16 June 2021 - is the new documentary that dives deep into the lives of the African penguins living in Simon’s Town. Filled with boisterous shenanigans and loads of adorable penguins, this eight-part series from Red Rock Films about the real lives of African penguins brings flipper-flapping fun and drama.
WWhy visit Boulder's Beach when you're in Cape Town?
Penguins all year round: The best place to view the adorable African Penguin is at the sheltered bay of Boulder’s Beach, located just an hour’s drive from the centre of Cape Town. This beach is home to around 2,500 - 3,000 birds often spotted sunbathing on the boulders or riding the waves in the protected bay. As well as an ideal place to see the penguins up close, the beach is a great spot for a refreshing dip and a picnic to round up a beautiful day. There is a R65 conservation fee (around £3.50) and it is very rarely packed. For entry and exit times, see here.
The penguins can also be viewed further down the coast at Betty's Bay, which tends to be less visited or by chartered boat tour to Dyer Island located close to Gansbaai in the Western Cape, as well as Algoa Bay, close to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Read more here.
Chapman’s Peak Drive- The drive on CChapman’s Peak allows travellers to take in 9km of sweeping views of Hout bay, past Noordhoek and Kommetjie and finally reaching the African Penguin’s home of Boulder’s Beach. Learn more here or Watch the video:
Great African Sea Forest: Oscar winning “My Octopus Teacher” shines spotlight on the GGreat African Sea Forest in False Bay has an abundance of marine bio-diversity - it is home to many endemic species and thousands of kilometres of kelp forest. The Great African Seaforest which was featured in the documentary is the only forest of giant bamboo kelp on the planet and is found off the coast of Cape Town and stretches 1,000km north to Namibia. The ecosystem has been named and officially identified and studies to create awareness and ensure its long-term protection by the Sea Change Project. Read more here
The unquestionable surfer’s paradise: Muizenberg beach, famous for its colourful beach huts, it is also the perfect place to learn to surf. This is not only because it is situated on the Indian Ocean side of Cape Town, so its waters are a bit warmer, but also because it has a sand bottom and gentle rolling waves, perfect for beginner surfers. There are a number of surf schools to choose from, including Gary’s Surf School, the oldest surf school in the country. https://garysurf.com/
Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: a Coastal Stroll AUDIO TOUR : Travellers can take the Kalk Bay Audio tour with Maggie Follett, a proud local, freelance journalist, poetry scribbler and occasional filmmaker as your guide. This popular route takes you on a gentle but bracing stroll around the spectacular curve of False Bay, from the laid-back coastal suburb of Muizenberg (the gateway to the South Peninsula), via beautiful St James, to the vibey, bustling village and harbour of Kalk Bay. Distance from Cape Town to Kalk Bay: 30,7 km (around 35 minutes). https://voicemap.me/tour/cape-town/muizenberg-to-kalk-bay-a-coastal-stroll
Shark Cage-diving: ‘Shark Alley’, a narrow channel between the penguin home of Dyer Island and a six-thousand strong colony of Cape Fur Seals, is one of the best areas in South Africa for shark cage diving. For travellers looking for safari action on the open water, there’s no better place. Visitors preferring to watch from the safety of the boat certainly won't miss out on any of the action, as the sharks remain just under the surface of the water and come right up to the boat. During peak season, between June and September, onboard spectators may also see Great Whites breaching. https://www.sharkcagediving.co.za
Whale watching & Walking Trails: Whale-watching along the Gansbaai coast and Hermanus are also excellent, particularly between May and December, when southern right whales come to mate, calve and nurse their young in the area. There are also numerous hikes and walking trails around the cliffs of De Kelders at Gansbaai, which feature caves to explore, abundant fynbos, spectacular ocean views and the fascinating history of ancient peoples in this area, revealed by archaeological digs that deliver rich hauls of prehistoric artefacts regularly. https://www.gansbaaiinfo.co.za/town
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