The Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach are a popular day trip for tourists from Cape Town, South Africa. It is easy to combine these two locations on a day trip from the city. They are beautiful spots, with amazing coastal scenery, and well worth a visit.
WHAT IS BOULDERS BEACH?
Boulders Beach is the place to see African penguins, close to Cape Town. The penguins first settled here in 1982 when there were just two breeding pairs. The penguin colony has grown to about 2,200 birds in recent years. At Boulders Beach you can wander among the penguins, getting really close. There are lots of boulders to scramble under or over too! Some people even brave the cold sea to swim with the penguins.
At Foxy Bay, just a short walk away there is a boardwalk taking you amongst the penguins on the beach. Many of the penguins here were sat on eggs. There were adult penguins with their fluffy young as well as groups of juvenile penguins waiting for the return of their parents from the sea.
We recommend you do both, Boulders Beach is wonderful for getting up really close to the penguins, while at Foxy Bay the sheer numbers of penguins are worth seeing.
HOW DO YOU GET TO BOULDERS BEACH FROM CAPE TOWN?
Boulders Beach is about 46 km from Cape Town, taking about 45 minutes to reach by car. It is located on the route to the Cape of Good Hope, near Simon’s Town, and thus makes a perfect stop-off.
WHAT IS THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE?
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa. This misconception was based on the misbelief that the Cape was the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The true southernmost point of Africa is at Cape Agulhas, located on the Garden Route of South Africa, over 200 kilometres away.
EXPLORING THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
This is a wild and unspoiled place, where the natural landscape takes centre stage.
Climb up to the lighthouse at Cape Point for the best views over the Cape of Good Hope. There are two ways to get to the top. Leading from the car park there is a paved path all the way to the top, up many steps. It’s a steady climb and takes 20-30 minutes. For those who don’t feel like walking it to the top, there is a funicular railway that will get you to the lighthouse and viewpoint. The Flying Dutchman Funicular will get you to the top with no effort in just three minutes. There is a charge for riding the funicular at the Cape of Good Hope.
Go down to the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-western point in Africa, and get a photograph at the sign.
Climb up the cliffs behind the sign for amazing views, both of the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point.
While at the Cape, keep an eye out for the wild animals that roam here and include zebra, ostrich and baboons. There are 1,100 species of indigenous plants that grow here and over 250 species of birds. Furthermore, this is a great spot for whale watching during the months of June to November.
WHERE TO EAT
There is a restaurant at Cape Point, the Two Oceans Restaurant, which has a fantastic location overlooking the sea. You will also find a take-out serving pizza, baguettes and drinks. We bought some food at the take-out and sat at one of the many outdoor tables for lunch.
HOW TO GET TO THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE?
By car, it is an hour and a half drive to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town. The distance from the city of Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope is about 70 kilometres. Boulders Beach is about 46 kilometres from Cape Town, taking about 45 minutes to reach by car. It is located on the route to the Cape of Good Hope, near Simon’s Town, and thus makes a perfect stop-off. On the return journey take Chapman’s Peak drive for even more dramatic coastal scenery.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Costs for visiting Boulders Beach:
- Adults R75
- Children (2 – 11 years old) R40
The Cape Peninsula is part of the Table Mountain National Park, even though Table Mountain is located overlooking Cape Town to the north.
Costs for visiting the Cape of Good Hope:
- Adults R125
- Children (2 – 11 years old) R65
The Cape of Good Hope is a section of the Table Mountain National Park, even though Table Mountain is located 70 km to the north. Table Mountain National Park is managed by SANParks.
READ MORE ON SOUTH AFRICA:
Road Trip Along the Garden Route with Kids
Top Ten Things To Down Cape Town with Children
Exploring the Cape Wine Lands with Children
The Cape of Good Hope, combined with Boulders Beach make an amazing day trip from Cape Town. It is an experience you don’t want to miss.
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