South Africa Guide
Cape Town
Boulders
Boulders, the most popular local beach (R15, children R5), offers a number of places to stay. The area takes its name from the huge rounded rocks that create a cluster of little coves with sandy beaches and clear sea pools which are gorgeous for swimming. However, the main reason people come to Boulders is for the Africanpenguins (formerly known as jackass penguins), in the Boulders section of the Table Mountain National Park (open 24hr; April– Sept daily 8am–5pm; Oct– March daily 7am–7pm; R15, children R5) a fenced reserve on Boulders Beach. Passing sailors used to prey on the quirky birds and their eggs, and more recently they have fallen victim to vandals, and some locals who consider them pests; they're now protected by a guard. African penguins usually live on islands off the west side of the South African coast, the Boulders birds forming one of only two mainland colonies in the world. This is also the only place where the endangered species are actually increasing in numbers, and provides a rare opportunity to get a close look at them.