False Bay
Simon's Town
Penguins and naval history
A Victorian naval town on False Bay, and home to the African penguins of Boulders Beach.
Victorian buildings, small shops and cafés line the main road. The Simon's Town Museum and the South African Naval Museum tell the story of the town's long maritime history.
Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African penguins — walk the boardwalks and watch them on the sand and in the waves.
Simon's Town is also the gateway to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, with its cliffs, fynbos and ocean views. Boat trips visit the Cape fur seals, and southern right whales come into False Bay in winter.
Simon's Town, in context.
- Region
- False Bay
- Position
- 34°11.50′S 18°26.02′E
- Distance
- 30 km from the City Bowl, as the crow flies
- Getting there
- Most of our journeys include pickup from your Cape Town accommodation
Journeys that go here
All tours
Travel notes
- Driving
- South Africa drives on the left. Our journeys include transport, so you won't need a car for them.
- Time zone
- South African Standard Time (SAST), UTC+2. No daylight saving.
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR). Prices on this site are in rand.
- Weather
- Cape weather changes quickly, especially on the mountain and the coast. Bring a warm layer, even in summer.
Next stop · Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch
Simon's Town, your way.
Tell us when you'll be in the Cape and we'll plan your time in Simon's Town — on its own or as part of a longer trip.