What Are South African Penguins Called?

They are commonly known as the Cape penguin, South African penguin, African penguin, black-footed penguin, or the jackass penguin (because they make donkey-like braying sounds to communicate). The biological name is Spheniscus demersus.

How To Get The Best View Of The African Penguins?

While Boulders Beach is best known for the penguins, there is also Foxy Beach, which is a short walk (via boardwalks) from Boulders Beach. If you want to get up close and personal with the penguins, make your way to Foxy Beach.

There are three wheelchair-friendly boardwalks that make their way through the dunes and dense vegetation around Foxy Beach. Here’s where you will see their little nests and habitat.

Be careful not to get too close—–penguin beaks are razor sharp!

Where Do South African Penguins Live?

They create burrows in sandy soils, depressions under boulders or vegetation, crevices between rocks, and in man-made nests. (As you walk down the boardwalk between Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach, you will see many man-made nests). Their nests are lined with seaweed, rocks, shells, bones, vegetation pieces, and feathers.

What Do South African Penguins Eat?

African penguins forage in the open sea, where they eat sardines, anchovies, squid, horse mackerel, and herring. The penguins normally swim within 20 km (12 miles) of the shore.

A penguin may consume up to 540 grams (1.19 lb) of prey every day.

Is There An Entry Fee To See The Penguins?

Yes. Because Boulders Beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park, they charge a daily conservation and entry fee.

At the time of this writing, (December 2020), the entrance fee for foreigners is R170 for adults and R85 for children. For South African citizens, it is R40 for adults and R20 for children. (These prices can be verified via South African National Parks.)

Can You Touch The Penguins At Boulders Beach?

Some of the penguins will come within touching distance, but visitors are not allowed to touch them. Boulders Beach forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. It is also a no-take zone in a Marine Protected Area.

You are advised not to touch African penguins because they have sharp beaks which they will use to defend themselves if they feel threatened.

Can You See South African Penguins Year-Round?

The South African summer (December – February) is prime time to visit Boulders Beach in Cape Town. This is when you’ll see the most African penguin action.

African penguins can be seen throughout the year. However, between September and October (South African Spring), the birds spend a lot of time feeding out at sea, so there are fewer penguins on Boulders Beach.

For the ultimate treat, try to visit in January when the juvenile birds are molting on the beach.

For great pictures, try to get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the penguins are most active.

How Do You Get From Cape Town To Boulders Beach?

Boulders Beach is in Simonstown.

You can get there by train. You will need to get a train from Cape Town station to Simon’s Town. It is beautiful and scenic via train, but if you have children, it can be a hassle. Also, South Africa’s railway system is not as advanced as it is in other countries.

If you have children, getting there by car might be your best option. It’s an equally beautiful and scenic drive past Chapmans Peak and Kommetjie. The drive is approximately 30 minutes.

Can You Swim At Boulders Beach?

Yes. Be sure to pack your swimsuits (or as South Africans call them – your swimming costume or cozie). It’s a popular family-friendly swimming beach.

Boulders Beach has ancient granite boulders that protect it from the wind and large waves, which makes it ideal for kids and families (and penguins).

Children can climb over the boulders, explore the rock pools, play in the soft, white sand, or swim in the warm(ish) water.

The beach is always clean and safe because it falls under the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.

Also, it is rarely crowded because they charge a conservation entry fee.

South African Penguins On The Streets

It is not very often that you find the penguins out on the streets. Here’s a little peek at three penguins on South Africa’s empty streets during the Covid national lockdown.