Beyond Cape Town
Cape Point, Boulders and Simon’s Town
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Cape Point, Boulders and Simon’s Town
The southern end of the Cape Peninsula is protected within Table Mountain National Park. At Boulders, near Simon’s Town, African penguins nest among granite boulders; Simon’s Town is a naval harbour town with a main street of Victorian buildings; and at the tip, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope rise in cliffs over the ocean.
Getting there
By car down the False Bay coast through Muizenberg and Kalk Bay; the Southern Line runs as far as Simon’s Town.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Satdeep Gill · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsBoulders
Boardwalks lead to the penguin colony; entry is paid at the gate (SANParks). Don’t touch or feed the birds.
Drive down the False Bay side and back over Chapman’s Peak.
Cape Point
The Flying Dutchman funicular climbs to the old lighthouse; paths lead to the Cape of Good Hope. Watch out for baboons: keep food out of sight and car windows closed.
Our advice: start early: the light is best and the car parks are quiet.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- Boulders
- Cape Point
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Cape Point, Boulders and Simon’s Town before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Cape Point, Boulders and Simon’s Town are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Cape Point19 kmCar or taxi 51 min
- Kirstenbosch23 kmCar or taxi 60 min
- The Table Mountain cableway28 kmCar or taxi 71 min
- Cape Town International Airport29 kmCar or taxi 75 min
- Zeitz MOCAA32 kmCar or taxi 81 min
- Robben Island boats32 kmCar or taxi 82 min
- The V&A Waterfront32 kmCar or taxi 82 min
Railway stations
- Cape Town station30 kmCar or taxi 77 min