October marks the start of breeding season at Boulders Beach, the SANParks-managed colony on the Cape Peninsula that is home to approximately 3,000 African penguins. From October through to February, penguins at Boulders are at their most active, with pairs forming nesting sites in the sheltered granite boulders and among the coastal vegetation that gives the beach its name.
The colony is one of the most accessible wild penguin populations anywhere in the world, sitting roughly 40 kilometres south of central Cape Town in the historic naval town of Simon’s Town. It is consistently one of the most visited attractions on the Cape Peninsula.
The African Penguin and Conservation Status
The African penguin is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with the global population having declined by more than 70 per cent since the 1970s. Overfishing has reduced the anchovy and sardine populations that penguins depend on, and oiling incidents, habitat loss and predation have all contributed.
Boulders Beach is among the more stable colonies, partly because its granite boulders provide natural shelter for nesting pairs and the SANParks management team actively monitors predator activity and nest health. Conservation programmes also involve the rehabilitation of oiled or injured birds at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), based in Cape Town.
What to Expect on an October Visit
During breeding season, visitors on the Boulders Beach boardwalks will see pairs tending nests, birds heading into the sea to feed on small pelagic fish, and in some years, early chicks emerging from burrows toward the end of the month. Penguins are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler, so aim to arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00.
Noise levels matter at the colony, and SANParks signage at the site asks visitors to keep voices low near nesting areas. Flash photography near nests is not permitted.
The protected swimming beach at Boulders is shared with the penguins during breeding season. Swimmers are still welcome but are asked to give nesting pairs a wide berth. October water temperatures in False Bay are around 14-16 degrees Celsius.
Getting There and Entry Fees
Boulders Beach is located at Seaforth Road in Simon’s Town, accessible by car from Cape Town along the M3/M4 via Fish Hoek. The Blue Train (not the luxury rail service, but the local Southern Line MetroRail service) runs between Cape Town station and Simon’s Town, making Boulders reachable without a car, though check current service reliability before relying on it.
SANParks entry fees for 2025/26 are approximately R220 per international adult and R100 per international child. South African citizens pay reduced rates. Booking online through the SANParks website is possible and avoids any queue at the gate, though the site is rarely heavily congested outside of the main December-January school holiday peak.
Planning the Cape Peninsula Visit
Boulders Beach pairs well with a full Cape Peninsula day from Cape Town. The most common route takes visitors south through the Cape Point reserve first, then north back through Simon’s Town and Boulders, stopping at Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg on the way home. The full loop is around 150 kilometres and takes most of the day comfortably. October is one of the better months for it: the weather is generally settled, the light is good, and the flowers along the Cape Peninsula still carry some of the spring bloom from September.
Entry to the Table Mountain National Park section covering Cape Point is separate from Boulders Beach and carries its own SANParks fee. Both tickets can be purchased in advance through the SANParks portal.