Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
SIMON’S TOWN, WESTERN CAPE / SOUTH AFRICA
Between the granite at
Boulders Beach.
Sheltered coves, cool False Bay water and penguins given room to be wild.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / WESTERN CAPE
Small coves.
A shared shoreline.
Boulders Beach lies south of Simon’s Town on Cape Town’s False Bay coast, where rounded granite boulders divide pale sand into sheltered pockets within Table Mountain National Park.
Spend time at the Foxy Beach viewing boardwalks, then enter the separate bathing cove if tides and capacity allow. Make the penguins’ space part of your plan, rather than treating them as a photo prop.
ON THE WORLD MAP
The southwestern Cape Peninsula.
Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, Western Cape
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Cape Town.
A harbor-town base.
Simon’s Town harbor is north of the Boulders coves. Walk the town separately from the penguin viewing and swimming areas.
Photo: Glany Saldanha (resized) · CC BY 3.0Get around Simon’s Town
Boulders is reached through signed park entrances south of central Simon’s Town. Use established paths and pay attention to the difference between Foxy Beach’s boardwalks and the bathing beach. Ask about tides and capacity before buying a ticket for swimming.
On the beach
SANParks’ visitor brochure says there are no lifeguards at Boulders. Rangers and conservation staff do not replace supervised swimming. The granite shelters the cove, but tides, slippery rocks and cold water still matter. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A managed conservation area with boardwalks and toilets; bring your beach kit and keep food away from wildlife.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
From Cape Town or Simon’s Town
From Cape Town, drive or take an arranged transfer to Simon’s Town; the Southern Line is another option if its current timetable suits. Continue from the station or town center by local taxi or on foot to the signed Boulders entrances. Seaforth-area parking is limited. Do not expect a boat landing: vessels are excluded from Boulders.
Western Cape rail information ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
Two different beach experiences
Foxy Beach’s wooden viewing boardwalk and visitor center have accessible routes and toilets. Willis Walk connects toward the bathing beach but is steep in places; SANParks says its concrete beach ramp can require assistance. November hours are 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Current daily fees (SANParks annual schedule): South African adults/children R57/R27; SADC R118/R59; other nationalities R282/R138. Children are 2–11; under twos enter free. Bring qualifying ID and a debit or credit card.
03 / THE SAND
Pale, soft sand between boulders
Pale white sand fills pockets between rounded granite boulders. Bare sand can become hot in summer, while rocks and algae-covered edges can be slippery. Use secure footwear on the approaches and avoid squeezing through gaps or climbing rocks near penguins, nests or rising water.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Buy before entering
Restaurants and accommodation are close to the reserve, but do not rely on vendors circulating on the protected sand. Bring drinking water and a simple snack, or eat outside the park. A drinking-water refill point is unconfirmed. Never offer food to penguins or leave food and packaging unattended.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Bring a towel and sun protection
No current chair or umbrella rental operation was verified inside Boulders. Bring your own towel, hat and a standard beach umbrella if needed; SANParks permits ordinary umbrellas but prohibits tents and gazebos. Do not count on boulder shade, and never occupy nesting or roped-off areas. Rental prices are unconfirmed.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Toilets and conservation staff
The visitor-center area has toilets, including wheelchair-accessible ablutions. Ask staff for the nearest open facility before entering the bathing cove; current shower and changing-room availability is unconfirmed. There are no lifeguards according to the official brochure. Take litter out, and observe the park’s no-alcohol and no-smoking rules.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Boulders Beach.
Granite, pale sand and False Bay.
Boulders shelter small swimming coves; the penguin viewing boardwalks are a separate part of the reserve.
Photo: freestock.ca (resized) · CC BY-SA 3.001 / WATCH
Foxy Beach boardwalks
Observe the African penguin colony from the designated viewing route.
02 / SWIM
The bathing cove
Enter only where permitted and assess water and tide conditions.
03 / PAUSE
A low-tide beach visit
High water reduces the sand available between the boulders.
04 / RESPECT
Wildlife gets room
Leave nests and birds undisturbed and follow staff instructions.
Arrive early for the Foxy Beach boardwalk, then ask staff about tide and bathing-beach capacity. Leave time to change and eat in Simon’s Town rather than balancing food beside wildlife. Boulders faces False Bay, so do not promise an ocean sunset here; leave before the gate closes. In rain or rough weather, keep to permitted viewing routes or postpone swimming.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four nearby shores.
Windmill lies south; Seaforth, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg lie mainly north. Distances below are approximate straight-line separations, not driving routes.
Seaforth Beach
A small False Bay shore beside the Boulders area, with granite and pale sand. It offers a different arrival point from the paid penguin boardwalk.
- Suited to
- A short coastal stop
- Facilities
- Nearby dining and parking; check currently open toilets.
- Good to know
- Give any penguins space and follow posted conservation boundaries.
Windmill Beach
Rock-framed coves south of Boulders with a small beach and a rocky underwater setting. This is a separate shore, not another entrance to the colony.
- Suited to
- Rocky-coast scenery
- Facilities
- Limited services; bring water and verify facilities locally.
- Good to know
- Do not assume sheltered water is safe for unsupervised snorkeling.
Fish Hoek Beach
A broader sandy bay north of Simon’s Town, with a town and station close by. Plan it as a separate stop on the False Bay route.
- Suited to
- A town-and-beach walk
- Facilities
- Town shops and dining nearby; heed beach signs and staffed swimming areas.
- Good to know
- Check local water-safety notices before entering.
Muizenberg Beach
A long sandy surf beach with colorful bathing huts and surf businesses around Surfer’s Corner. The exposed surf is a different experience from Boulders.
- Suited to
- Surf lessons and the beachfront
- Facilities
- Cafés, surf schools and town services.
- Good to know
- Use a qualified surf school and follow current beach-safety instructions.
Distances are straight-line from Boulders Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three peninsula outings.
01 / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Cape Point
Visit the Cape of Good Hope section for fynbos, coastal viewpoints and the old Cape Point lighthouse area. It has separate park admission; check the operator’s live notices and SANParks’ current fees before planning a full day.
Cape Point visitor information ↗02 / NOORDHOEK / HOUT BAY
Chapman’s Peak Drive
The toll road connects Noordhoek and Hout Bay above the Atlantic. The road closes at times for weather, rockfall risk and maintenance. Check the toll operator’s live status before setting out, and use an alternative route while it is closed.
Chapman’s Peak live status ↗03 / CAPE TOWN
Table Mountain
Ride the Aerial Cableway when conditions permit or use a suitable guided walking route. Check the official weather and operating status on your date; a ticket does not guarantee the cableway will operate in wind. Kalk Bay’s working harbor and Muizenberg’s beachfront make additional False Bay stops.
Table Mountain official tickets ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Boulders Beach and Simon’s Town.
The pin marks Boulders’ bathing cove, south of Foxy Beach and Simon’s Town center. Trace the False Bay shore north toward Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg; Cape Point lies to the south and the Atlantic side is across the peninsula.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Beyond the penguin boardwalk.
Keep the coves as your beach day, then allow separate time for the peninsula and city.
Cape Point
The Cape Point headland is a separate paid park outing south of Simon’s Town. Follow marked paths and current operator notices.
Photo: Diego Delso (resized) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chapman’s Peak landscape
The mountain and road landscape near Chapman’s Peak. Check the toll operator’s live status before setting out.
Photo: TapticInfo (resized) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kalk Bay harbor
Working boats and mountains at Kalk Bay. Walk clear of loading areas and give fishers room.
Photo: Ian Wilson (resized) · CC BY 2.0
Table Mountain
Table Mountain seen from Cape Town. Low cloud can change the cableway and summit experience quickly.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich (resized) · CC BY-SA 4.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
BOULDERS / SEAFORTH
Boulders Beach Hotel
$ Budget · Nightly price unconfirmed; use the official dated booking quote
This small hotel near the reserve offers en-suite rooms and self-catering units, according to its own site. It suits visitors who want the Boulders area close by; confirm the walking route to your chosen gate and whether breakfast is included in the quoted rate.
Boulders Beach Hotel official site ↗GLENCAIRN
Hotel Glencairn
$ Budget · Nightly price unconfirmed; request a direct quote
The historic hotel near Glencairn beach lists five en-suite rooms, a restaurant and a pub. It provides a village base north of Simon’s Town rather than a room inside the park; ask about evening noise, parking and the transfer to Boulders before booking.
Hotel Glencairn official site ↗SIMON’S TOWN HARBOR
Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel
$$ Mid-Range · Nightly price unconfirmed; check room type and dates
Quayside faces the yacht basin in central Simon’s Town, with town shops and restaurants nearby. Choose it for a harbor base and a separate trip south to Boulders; confirm whether the room faces the water, accessibility needs and the current breakfast arrangements.
Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel official site ↗MUIZENBERG
The Muize B&B
$$ Mid-Range · Nightly price unconfirmed; request the room-and-breakfast total
This family-run guesthouse in Muizenberg offers a bed-and-breakfast stay near the beach, with breakfast prepared by its own kitchen. It suits travelers combining the surf village with peninsula outings; Boulders requires a separate journey south, so check transport before treating it as a walking base.
The Muize B&B official site ↗NOORDHOEK
Noordhoek Village Hotel
$$$ Upscale · Nightly price unconfirmed; use the official booking engine
Set within Noordhoek Farm Village, this hotel lists twenty rooms and an on-site restaurant, with village dining and shops nearby. It suits a stay on the Atlantic side of the peninsula; confirm the road route to Boulders and account for any Chapman’s Peak closure.
Noordhoek Village Hotel official site ↗KOMMETJIE
Last Word Long Beach
$$$$ Luxury · Nightly price unconfirmed; confirm inclusions and dates
This six-room boutique hotel sits directly on Long Beach in Kommetjie, facing the Atlantic. Its official site includes breakfast and a three-course seafood dinner, with alternatives available. Choose it for a separate coastal stay, then organize the road journey across the peninsula to Boulders.
Last Word Long Beach official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Cape Town’s summer can be dry, sunny and windy; winter can bring rain and fronts. Check the South African Weather Service before a beach or mountain day. Boulders has year-round park access, but the official brochure lists no lifeguards; cool water and changing tides matter in every season. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
A working False Bay coast
Kalk Bay’s harbor connects the coastal route with a long fishing tradition.
Photo: Nina R from Africa (resized) · CC BY 2.0What to order
Fish and chips is a straightforward harbor lunch; ask which fish is available and whether your portion is grilled or battered. Seafood menus also feature calamari and mussels. Rooibos tea or a cold nonalcoholic drink suits a wind-cooled afternoon. Check dietary needs directly with the kitchen.
Local habits
Change out of wet beachwear before entering a dining room, keep valuables with you and ask before photographing people at work. Read the bill for service charges and leave working harbor routes clear. Penguins are wildlife: restaurant leftovers must never be used to attract them.
A LITTLE LOCAL ENGLISH
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Hello.
- A simple greeting works in local English.
- Still water, please.
- Ask for bottled or drinking water clearly.
- Is service included?
- Check the bill before adding a tip.
- The check, please.
- Ask when you are ready to settle.
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
SIMON’S TOWN HARBOR
Salty Sea Dog
$ Budget · Per-person price unconfirmed; check the current counter menu
Choose this harbor-side fish-and-chips stop for a simple meal in Simon’s Town before or after the reserve. Its official site identifies the restaurant and menu; ask which fish is available, whether portions include chips and what the current total is before ordering.
Salty Sea Dog official site ↗KALK BAY
Kalky’s
$ Budget · Per-person price unconfirmed; ask for the current fish-and-chips price
This casual cabin-style restaurant in Kalk Bay harbor serves hake, snoek and chips alongside other seafood. Its own site lists daily service from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; allow for weekend queues, keep clear of harbor operations and confirm the day’s fish and price.
Kalky’s official site ↗GLENCAIRN
Dixies Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · About R150–280 for selected individual mains; drinks extra, official menu checked
Dixies sits on Main Road in Glencairn with a broad menu of seafood, burgers and other mains. The official menu lists grilled hake, calamari and line fish; choose a table for a separate meal on the False Bay route and confirm portions and current kitchen service.
Dixies Restaurant official site ↗MUIZENBERG
Knead Bakery & Café, Muizenberg
$$ Mid-Range · Per-person price unconfirmed; use the Muizenberg menu, not another branch
At Surfer’s Corner on Beach Road, this bakery café suits breakfast or a daytime stop beside Muizenberg’s surf scene. Its official site identifies the branch and publishes its menu; check the current selection and ask about any dietary substitutions.
Knead Bakery & Café, Muizenberg official site ↗NOORDHOEK
The Foodbarn Café & Tapas
$$$ Upscale · About R255–385 for selected bistro lunch mains; drinks and service extra, official menu checked
In Noordhoek Farm Village, the Foodbarn offers daytime café and bistro meals plus tapas dinners on selected evenings. Its linked lunch menu includes fish, lamb and vegetable dishes. Reserve the service you want and arrange transport across the peninsula rather than relying on a beach walk.
The Foodbarn Café & Tapas official site ↗CONSTANTIA NEK
La Colombe
$$$$ Luxury · R1,695 seasonal weekday lunch; chef’s menu R2,595; drinks and discretionary 13.5% service extra
At Silvermist Wine Estate, La Colombe serves a structured tasting-menu meal that requires its own time and reservation. The official menus include seafood and vegetarian versions. Confirm dietary requirements, the selected menu and the deposit before booking, and plan this as a separate Constantia outing.
La Colombe official site ↗08 / WESTERN CAPE AFTER DARK
Three bars.
The Brass Bell
The Brass Bell has several seaside restaurant and bar spaces in Kalk Bay, with music and events listed by the venue. Choose the section that suits your evening and check the program, table arrangements and any cover charge directly before setting out from Simon’s Town. Brass Bell official site ↗
Stoep and Swing
This pub at Hotel Glencairn is a separate evening stop from the quiet beach coves. The hotel’s own site identifies the venue and its music listings; ask what is happening on your date, check the current menu and arrange a sober ride back to your accommodation. Hotel Glencairn: Stoep and Swing ↗
The Burrow
Noordhoek Village Hotel identifies The Burrow as its intimate underground bar. It works as an evening option for travelers already staying on the Atlantic side; confirm public access and current opening hours, then organize a taxi rather than planning to drive back after drinking. Noordhoek Village Hotel: The Burrow ↗
Keep the evening separate from the conservation area, which closes at its seasonal gate time. Base yourself near your accommodation, confirm a licensed taxi or transfer and avoid walking isolated coastal routes after dark. Music programs and cover charges are unconfirmed unless listed for your exact date.
09 / SIMON’S TOWN EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Cape Town Cycle Tour
Around March, the peninsula cycle tour closes roads used for Boulders trips. Check the organizer’s event guide and official road-closure notices before planning a visit that week.
Cape Town Cycle Tour official site ↗Two Oceans Marathon
Around April, the ultra and half marathon weekend brings road closures on the peninsula route. Check the organizer’s announcement and road-closure notice before planning around the event.
Two Oceans Marathon ↗Currency / South African rand
South Africa uses the rand (ZAR), written R. SANParks’ Boulders gate is cash-free, so bring a working debit or credit card and the identification needed for any local or SADC discount. Keep modest cash for small purchases elsewhere; use town banking services before entering the reserve.
South African Reserve Bank ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for cool water and sun.
A BOULDERS BEACH DAY
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Boulders Pineapple bikini with a light cover-up, a hat and sun protection. Bring a towel and a dry layer for the cold water and coastal breeze. Keep your distance from penguins while swimming or taking photographs.
On the paths
Wear secure sandals for the paths and ramp, keeping clear of wet granite and wildlife. Protect yourself from wind and sun, carry water and leave a hand free if you need assistance on a steep section. Never chase a penguin for a closer photograph.
In town
Change into dry clothes and add a light sweater or wind layer for a harbor meal. Comfortable shoes work for the town pavements; arrange your return transport before settling in for the evening.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Cape Town International (CPT) serves the region. Arrange a road transfer to your base; neither the airport nor the Southern Line station is at Boulders’ entrance. Check current rail service and the last return if you use the train.
Is the water warm and safe for swimming?
Expect cool to cold water throughout the year, with seasonal and daily variation. Granite shelters the bathing cove, but swimming is unsupervised in the official brochure. Ask staff about tides and capacity and leave the water if you become chilled.
Is the beach step-free?
Foxy Beach’s viewing boardwalk and visitor center have accessible routes and toilets. Willis Walk and the concrete bathing-beach ramp are steep in places and may require assistance. Ask SANParks about your specific mobility needs rather than assuming that boardwalk access means easy access to the sand.
May I touch or feed the penguins?
No. Never touch, feed, chase, block or crowd them. Remain on designated viewing boardwalks, avoid nesting areas and keep selfie sticks away from fences and birds. Report an injured bird to park staff rather than trying to handle it.
Which conservation fee is current?
Use SANParks’ current annual schedule: South African adult/child R57/R27, SADC R118/R59 and other nationalities R282/R138. Children are 2–11, and under twos enter free.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Yellow pineapples. A coastal day.
A yellow pineapple-print string bikini with adjustable ties, paired here with a beach day between granite coves and a dry layer for the walk back.
Explore the Boulders Pineapple bikini ↗
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