Nature/Hiking

Boulders Beach

A beach in Table Mountain National Park where a wooden boardwalk leads down to the penguin colony on Foxy Beach.

Typical visit
Half day
Ages
Booking
Ticket required
Ticket date
An online gate ticket is valid only on the date you bought it for.
Toilets
Toilets for wheelchair users at the information centre.
Penguin boardwalk
A wooden boardwalk leads down to the penguin colony on Foxy Beach.
Beach access
The concrete ramp to the bathing beach is very steep; many visitors need assistance.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT

Family Intelligence

Toddlers (0–3)3/5
Kids (6–8)5/5
Tweens4/5
Value for money4/5
Queue risk2/5

Our editorial assessment — not user ratings.

Boulders Beach is part of Table Mountain National Park. Its penguin colony beach, Foxy Beach, is reached along a wooden boardwalk built so that visitors with limited mobility can get right down to the colony. You can pay the conservation entrance fee at the gate on the day, or buy a SANParks gate ticket online beforehand for a specific date.

The trade-off is getting onto the sand at the bathing beach itself: the concrete ramp down to Boulders bathing beach is very steep, and many visitors need help on it. The Willis Walk boardwalk is also steep in places. The information centre has ramped access and toilets for wheelchair users.

Family FAQ

Do you need to book Boulders Beach in advance?

No advance booking needed: pay the conservation fee at the gate, or buy a SANParks gate ticket online.

Where are the toilets at Boulders Beach?

Toilets for wheelchair users at the information centre.

Why kids will love it

The boardwalk takes you right down to the penguin colony beach, so even visitors who struggle with steep ground can see the penguins up close.

Tips & tricks

Entry is through the SANParks gate (around R245 for international adults, discounted for children and South Africans) — bring cash or card. Go early morning for the most penguin activity and the smallest crowds; it’s about a 40-minute drive from central Cape Town, so plan half a day.

EXPLORE

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SLEEP

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PLAN

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