Cape Town: Boulders Beach Penguins & Seal Island Boat Trip

Three thousand penguins, one hour on the water, and a drive that's ranked among the world's best

You get picked up from your hotel, driven along Chapman's Peak with a photo stop at the viewpoint, then spend time at Boulders Beach watching the African penguin colony before heading to Hout Bay for a one-hour Seal Island boat cruise. The tour wraps in a few hours, and your guide handles the logistics so you just show up and move through it. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and strollers work fine if you're traveling with small children.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chapman's Peak Drive15m
2. Boulders Beach1h · entry included

Penguins, Seal Island, and Scenic Drive

• Visit Boulders Beach penguin colony
• Drive along Chapman's Peak
• Stop at Chapman's Peak viewpoint
• Boat trip to Seal Island from Hout Bay
• Visit market at Hout Bay Harbour
• Optional fish & chips at Mariner's Wharf

The experience

So you're standing at Boulders Beach and there are actually penguins just... there. Not behind glass, not in some enclosure: actual African penguins, about 3,000 of them now, though it's wild to think they started from just two breeding pairs back in 1982. Your guide will walk you through what you're seeing, the whole colony thing, why they're endangered, how they ended up settling on this particular stretch of sand. It's the kind of detail that makes the moment stick with you longer than if you'd just shown up and taken a photo.

Before you get to the penguins, though, there's the Seal Island boat trip out of Hout Bay: a full hour on the water with Drumbeat charters, and the boat moves close enough that you're actually seeing the seals, not squinting at shapes in the distance. After you're back at the harbour, there's time to grab fish and chips from one of the spots there if you want, or just walk around the market. The whole thing moves at a pace that doesn't feel rushed, which matters when you're trying to take in what you're seeing instead of just checking boxes.

Chapman's Peak Drive is the thread that ties it together. You'll drive it on the way, stop at the viewpoint, and yeah, it's one of those roads that actually deserves the hype: the kind of scenic route that shows up on lists of the best in the world, and you'll understand why the moment you see it. Your guide speaks English, French and Portuguese, so if you're traveling with people who speak any of those, the whole experience lands differently. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in Cape Town heat, and pickup from your hotel means you're not figuring out how to get to Hout Bay or Boulders Beach on your own.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• one-hour Seal Island boat cruise with Drumbeat charters from Hout Bay Harbour.
• visit to Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony.
• stop at Chapman's Peak Drive viewpoint for photos.
• trilingual guide (English, French, Portuguese).
• time to browse Hout Bay market and purchase food at your own expense.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 9 years)

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Dosemba Travel & Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cape Town's main wildlife and scenic highlights without arranging transport or timing the stops yourself: the half-day format fits easily into a longer trip, and the fixed itinerary means you hit all three in one morning or afternoon.

Traveler reviews

4.36★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (2 to 9 years).

How long is the whole tour?

It's a half-day tour, operational for a few hours total. The Seal Island boat trip itself is one hour. The rest covers travel, the penguin colony visit, and the Chapman's Peak stop.

Is there time to eat in Hout Bay?

Yes. After the boat trip, you have time at Hout Bay Harbour. You can buy fish and chips as takeaway or sit down at Mariner's Wharf Restaurant at your own expense, or browse the market.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Strollers work for infants and small children, and specialized infant seats are available.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the air-conditioned vehicle, and access to Boulders Beach and the Seal Island boat trip. Entry fees and meals are separate.

Why are the African penguins at Boulders Beach endangered?

The colony has grown to about 3,000 birds, but African penguins are on the verge of extinction overall. They're only found on the coastlines of Southern Africa: South Africa and Namibia. Your guide will explain more during the visit.