Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Zatrzymywać się: 30 minutes
Boulders Beach, nestled in Simon’s Town near Cape Town, is a picturesque coastal gem renowned for its resident African penguin colony. These endearing creatures, often called "jackass penguins" due to their braying call, first settled here in 1982. Once abundant along South Africa's coast, the African penguin population has dramatically declined due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and oil spills, earning them an endangered status. Boulders Beach, however, offers a safe haven where they thrive in their natural habitat.
The beach takes its name from the massive granite boulders that shelter its pristine, white sands from wind and waves, creating calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The penguins mate for life and they they breed through out the year, digging burrows in the sand or sheltering under bushes to protect their eggs from predators and the sun. Visitors can enjoy their antics from elevated boardwalks, ensuring minimal disruption to these charming birds.