On our road trip from Cape Town to Hermanus, the short but unforgettable stop at the Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty’s Bay was a must. One hour is enough to watch the curious African penguins up close – a highlight that fits perfectly into any South Africa itinerary. The colony is located right on the coast and easily accessible.

• 1. Location & Background
• 2. Getting There, Entry & Opening Hours
• 3. What to See & Experience
• 4. Best Time to Visit
• 5. Boulders Beach or Stony Point Penguin Colony?

1. Stony Point Penguin Colony: Location & Background

The colony is located in Betty’s Bay, about around 60 miles east of Cape Town, right along the scenic coastal route (R44 / Clarence Drive) between Cape Town and Hermanus.

• It’s home to the endangered African penguins, once found along much of South Africa’s coastline.
• Around 3,000 penguins live here, including chicks during the breeding season.
• Since the 1980s, the area has been a protected nature reserve.
• Informational signs and educational programs on site provide insights into conservation, habitat, and ecology.

2. Getting There, Entry & Opening Hours

There’s a free parking area right at the entrance. If you want to enter the colony itself, there’s a small fee of around R45 pro Person (current info here). Alternatively, you can access the boardwalk for free – just take a left after the entrance.

The Stony Point Penguin Colony Reserve is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. To fully enjoy the colony at a relaxed pace, make sure to allow enough time – the boardwalk closes at 4:00 PM, and the last permits are issued at 3:45 PM.

3. What to See & Experience

The Stony Point Penguin Colony is home to the endangered African penguins, who breed here in their natural environment. Particularly fascinating is their courtship behavior during mating season (February to August), the rearing of chicks, and the numerous nesting sites among the rocks and shrubs. The specially built boardwalk allows visitors to observe the penguins up close without disturbing them.

In addition to the penguins, you may occasionally spot Cape fur seals and a variety of sea and coastal birds. The surrounding landscape is characterized by fynbos, rocky outcrops, and the rugged coastline.

4. Best Time to Visit

You can visit the Stony Point Penguin Colony all year round, as the African penguins are present throughout the seasons.

That said:

• Summer / Spring (October–April): During the warmer months, the penguins are more active, and the coastal landscape is in full bloom with mild to warm temperatures.
• Autumn / Winter (May–September): Even though fewer penguins may be on land during certain months (for example, moulting season), when they’re out at sea feeding, you can still spot penguins during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter months.
• Best time of day: Early morning is ideal, when all the penguins are still on land, or in the afternoon as they return from feeding at sea.

5. Boulders Beach vs. Stony Point – Which to Choose?

If you want to experience the penguins from a safe distance and without crowds, Stony Point is the perfect spot for a more authentic nature encounter. Boulders Beach is the classic choice, combining a beachside atmosphere with easily accessible information. (If you’d like to skip the Boulders Beach entrance fee but still want a beach visit, you can also try Windmill Beach. There are far fewer visitors here, and sometimes you can spot penguins as well.)

There’s also no reason not to visit both colonies. This way, you’ll get different perspectives and maximize your chances of seeing as many penguins as possible.

	Boulders Beach	Stony Point Penguin Colony
Location & Drive	Simon’s Town, 25 miles south of Cape Town	Betty’s Bay, ~ 60 miles east of Cape Town
Entry	Adults R245 (~ $13.50 USD)	Adults R45 (~ $2.50 USD)
Penguin Population	2,000–3,000 African penguins	~ 3.000 African penguins
Experience	“Penguins on the beach” feel, boardwalks through colony areas	Nature experience, fewer visitors, boardwalk along the coast
Combination Ideas	Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, or Kalk Bay	Ideal on the way Cape Town → Hermanus / Garden Route

Our conclusion: The Stony Point Penguin Colony is well worth a visit for anyone who wants to see African penguins in their natural habitat and makes a perfect stop on the way from Cape Town to Hermanus.

Which penguin experience would you choose in South Africa?
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