Stony Point Penguins vs Boulders Beach Penguins
On our last time visiting Cape Town we hired a car and were lucky enough to be able to visit both the Stony Point Penguins and the Boulders Beach Penguins?
But which were best?
Our favourite was definitely the Stony Point penguins. Whilst they are a bit further from Cape Town, this is made up for by having less tourists and therefore what feels like a more natural and authentic experience of the penguins.
This article covers the different aspects of visiting the two locations in much more details so you can make the decision for yourself.
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Cape Town Penguins
One of the big attractions near Cape Town is the colonies of African Penguins.
They are charming little birds, shuffling around like their ankles have been tied together, with wings clutched firmly at their sides. They make a loud noise not unlike a braying donkey hence their alternative name, ‘Jackass Penguins’, though in my opinion this may also have been earned due to their unusual walking style! They are the only species of penguin to breed in Africa, mostly on islands, however, there are three colonies on the mainland: one in Nambia, with the other two at Stony Point and Boulder’s Bay, within 90 minutes drive from Cape Town.
Most people who have visited Cape Town have probably heard of Boulders Beach. It is on the classic drive around the Cape Peninsula that takes in Simon’s Town, Chapman’s Peak, Muizenberg and the Cape of Good Hope.
The Stony Point penguins are less well-known. This is probably due to its distance from Cape Town. But don’t write this underdog off, it doesn’t grab so many headlines, but it has alot to offer!
And don’t forget to look under your car for penguins….
1) Getting to Stony Point and Boulders Beach
When you look at location it’s clear why Boulders Beach has become the most popular penguin colony in the Cape.
It is only 47km from Cape Town whereas Stony Point is almost double that at 90km. Take another popular local stop off such as Stellenbosch though and the choice is less clear: 59km to Boulders Beach and 66km to Stony Point.
This article is about Cape Town penguins though so the clear winner is Boulders Beach.
Stony Point 0 – 1 Boulders Beach
2) Cost of Entry
Cost of entry is never something that has really bothered me too much when coming to places like this. As long as the money is going to secure the site future generations then I’m ok with paying a reasonable amount. However, there is a real disparity between the entrance fee at Boulders Beach and Stony point that is worth considering when making your choice.
- Stony Point R20 (£1.19)
- Boulders Beach R75 (£4.46)*
Whilst both of these are very low compared to what we would pay in England you can see there is a big difference in price. At 73% lower Stony Point is the clear winner here.
Stony Point 1 – 1 Boulders Beach
*Prices and conversion correct in January 2018
3) Visitor Numbers
There’s no doubt about it, Boulders Beach is a major tourist draw. Its accessibility means that even in the off-season in brings in a lot of visitors.
Stony Point penguins, on the other hand, have the feel of an undiscovered gem. If you want to be able to view the penguins in peace and not have to queue for the best photo shots then this is your place.
Stony Point 2 – 1 Boulders Beach
4) Things To Do Near Stony Point and Boulders Beach
If you’re pushed for time, you will need to combine multiple destinations on a day out to make the most of your time in Cape Town. This makes the proximity to other attractions really important when deciding which one of the penguin colonies to visit.
When it comes to Boulders Beach you are blessed with an embarrassment of riches. Within a short distance you can find a wealth of iconic destinations:
Stony Point has the beautiful Harold Porter Botanical Garden nearby and, at the right time of year, the Betty’s Bay is the perfect place to view whales, centred around the town of Hermanus. Compared to Boulders Beach though, it just doesn’t stack up as well on the local attractions front.
Stony Point 2 – 2 Boulders Beach
5) Learning About The Penguins
When confronted by such wonderful little creatures as these, I have an urge to learn as much about them as possible. Both of the sites offer information boards on the walkways to help you learn as much about them as you can.
The Stony Point penguin colony does have a lot more though, will a fully decked out education centre giving the history of the old whaling station that the penguins have now occupied and loads of information about penguins around the world. It is a great addition to the obvious attraction of the penguins themselves.
Stony Point 3 – 2 Boulders Beach
6) Photographing The Penguins
Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Stony Point Penguin Colony
We’ve all got an Instagram reputation to keep up, so which of these two colonies is best for photos?
For me, it was a straight neck and neck here. At Boulders Beach you’ve got the white sand and fantastic backdrop of False Bay. At Stony Point you have the rugged coastline and look out over Betty’s Bay.
If you want to make up your own mind I have uploaded all of the photos from the two sites:
Stony Point 4 – 3 Boulders Beach
Conclusion
And my favourite? Well if I had to pick I’d say Stony Bay. Yes, it’s a bit more awkward to get to, but it when you get there it felt like a more natural and authentic experience than Boulders Beach.
Whilst I have given you some help with which of the two penguin colonies near Cape Town to visit, which one you choose is going to be dependant on the factors that are important to you.
If it’s location and time then Boulders Beach will be the obvious choice.
If you’re making your way down the Garden Route then Stony Point is going to be an easier stop off.
If you have lots of people to pay for and the cost is a big factor, then Stony Point will be a better decision.
The reality is you’re not going to be disappointed either way. If this is your first time visiting the incredible and unique African penguins then you’re in for a real treat. We were smitten from our very first visit and have been back to the two colonies five times now!
There are very few places where you can see penguins in a natural environment like this, and most of them are in very difficult locations to access. To have two amazing options so close to an accessible destination like Cape Town is unbelievable, so make the most of it whilst you can.
Whichever one you choose, take your time to sit and watch this beautiful creature and make the very most of this truly unique experience.
AUTHOR – BEN REEVE
Reeves Roam, is a first-hand travel blog. The Reeves have lived in the UK, South Africa and Australia and have travelled extensively in Europe and Southeast Asia.
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Thanks – Ben, Becca and Gracie