Boulders Beach

Boulders is situated about 1-2 km south of Simonstown on the road to Cape Point. The park can be reached from the north and south where there is adequate parking. If entering from the north take the road left where the sign indicates SEAFORTH. The parking area is on the left at the bottom of the road. Leave the car and proceed down the road to your right until you reach the entrance gate. If entering from the south, continue until one reaches BELLEVUE ROAD, which is immediately before the golf coarse – there is also a clear information signboard with BOULDERS on it.

Birding
The site is the best place in the world to view wild African Penguin and one of only two places in South Africa where they breed on the mainland. Part of the park permits recreational activities but much is retained for the wildlife. A good wooden walkway winds down to Foxy Beach where penguins in all stages of their breeding cycle can be viewed from close quarters. Photographic opportunities abound. Check the alien thickets for Cape Dwarf Chameleon, especially early mornings and late afternoons. Another walkway meanders through dense bush to the opposite side of the beach. Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Bulbul and Southern Boubou are frequently seen along this path. A walk along Willis walk in either direction can provide some interesting birds, e.g. Brimstone Canary, Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Malachite Sunbird and White-backed Mousebird.

The large Boulders from which the place gets its name are good places to see Crowned Cormorant and Cape Cormorant as well as a resident pair of African Black Oystercatcher. Cape Gannet and Swift Tern are frequently seen flying offshore. Southern Right Whale and Dusky Dolphin are also seen from time to time.

Further south en route to Cape Point look out for a lay-by with a small sign indicating partridge POINT. The offshore rocks below host breeding White-breasted Cormorant and Bank Cormorant and are best viewed through a telescope. cape Fur Seals rest on the rock furthest offshore.

General
 Ablution facilities are available. Several B&B’S are situated nearby as well as a small curio shop and restaurant. Street vendors also have stalls in the parking lot and sell some interesting paraphernalia. Bird lists are provided on request. Please report any injured or oiled seabirds to the park wardens. Please note that the buildings at the northern entrance are currently being renovated, causing temp. inconvenience.

Admission is R30 per person.

Contact telephone number for the park is +27 21 786 2329.

Website: http://www.sanparks.org

Bruce Dyer 2002.