Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is one of only two mainland breeding colonies of African penguins on the African continent. The African penguin is the only penguin species found in Africa. Because their call resembles a donkey's bray, they were once known as jackass penguins, and they are currently listed as a critically endangered species.

The penguin story at the reserve began in 1982, when only two pairs of penguins settled and nested here. Since then, the population has gradually grown, and today hundreds of breeding pairs live and reproduce here. The park features wooden boardwalks that traverse the Foxy Beach area, allowing visitors to observe the penguins' nests, breeding areas, and daily activities up close—watching them waddle on the beach, swim through the water to forage, or bask motionless in the sun. The reserve also provides artificial nest boxes to assist with penguin breeding, and the South African National Parks authority, in collaboration with several conservation organizations, continuously conducts population monitoring and habitat restoration work.

Beyond penguin watching, the bay itself is quite unique. The sea is dotted with massive granite boulders formed hundreds of millions of years ago, which shield the bay from the strong currents and large waves of the open sea, making the water here relatively warm and calm. Visitors can sometimes even swim in the water alongside the penguins.