Cape Peninsula: Happy Feet
Penguins on the beach rather a penguin colony on the beach? Yes, you read it right! You might think this is a scene from the famous movie, “Happy Feet”. These African penguins, formerly known as Jackass penguins, inhabit this beautiful sheltered beach at the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. It is said that they have been there since 1982 and its the only breed that enjoys a warmer climate.
Boulders beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park (Trivia: Table Mountain is included in the New 7 Wonders of the World). There is a residential area around but the area is a well-protected tourist destination. Just a small environmental fee will be collected prior to entry. You can stay as much as you like, endlessly photographing or observing the penguins.
You can enjoy watching about three thousand of these cute little birds from a close distance - along a boardwalk. The best time for viewing would be around January since they would be flocking the shore and the adults would be preparing for the upcoming breeding season which is usually from the months of February to August.
Tip: Bring a hair tie/cap and a selfie stick. It could get extra windy and you don’t want to end up being covered by your own hair. A selfie stick would be useful for solo travelers and also for when the visitors crowd along the boardwalk.
